Model year record

2008 Harley-Davidson FXDC recalls & problems

The 2008 Harley-Davidson FXDC has 1 safety recall and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints6filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingNov 20, 2007

Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Recall 07V535000538 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES BUILT AND SHIPPED TO CALIFORNIA, THE CATALYTIC MUFFLER PROTECTIVE HEAT SHIELD WAS NOT INSTALLED. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW DIRECT CONTACT WITH THIS MUFFLER AND CAUSE INJURY.
Risk: IF CONTACT OCCURS WHILE RIDING, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE HEAT SHIELDS TO THE MUFFLERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasoline	2	0	—
Electrical system	2	1	—
Fuel system, other	1	0	—
Power train	1	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	1	—
Wheels	1	0	—
Service brakes	1	1	—
Exterior lighting	1	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakesFire
The rear brake light switch failed. Yes it is available for inspection - Iâll hold onto the part after repair. My safety was put at risk when the switch failed causing a leak in brake fluid and a loss of pressure in the pedal. Losing my rear break functionality entirely. Then the leaking brake fluid went into the electrical connections on the switch and caught on fire. Not confirmed by a dealer but has happened on other Harley models and been recalled before just not for this model of bike. Not inspected by any of the listed. No warning notifications I just hit the pedal one day and it went completely soft then burst into flames.
Dec 8, 2024
Wheels
MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT NOISE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND REAR WHEEL BEGAN LOSING TREAD AT ALARMING RATE. AFTER PROPPING THE MOTORCYCLE UP AND REMOVING THE REAR WHEEL TO REPLACE THE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAD BEGUN TO DETERIORATE. LEFT SIDE BEARING WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE AND THE RIGHT SIDE BEARING SHOWED SIGNS OF RUST AND DAMAGE. REPLACE BOTH BEARING WITH FACTORY NEW AND REPLACED TIRE. 8000 MILES LATER THE REAR TIRE AGAIN BEGAN TO LOOSE TREAD. REMOVED AND REPLACE TIRE A SECOND TIME AND REPLACED BACK ONTO MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT CHANGING BEARINGS. AT APPROXIMATELY 26,000 MILES THE MOTORCYCLE AGAIN BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE NOISE AND VIBRATION. AGAIN REMOVED TIRE AND…
Jul 30, 2010 · 18,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
CRUISING AT 40 MPH AND APPLIED REAR AND FRONT BRAKES. THERE WAS NO TENSION WHEN APPLIED CONTINUED A QUARTER MILE AND TURNED ONTO STREET OF MY HOUSE APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO REAR BRAKE RESPONSE. UPON STOPPING IN MY DRIVEWAY USING THE FRONT BRAKES, I GOT OFF THE BIKE AND THERE WAS A FIRE AT THE REAR BRAKE RELAY SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE. I HAD TO PUT OUT THIS FIRE AND BRAKE FLUID CONTINUED TO LEAK. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT, THE RELAY SWITCH IS 1 INCH FROM THE EXHAUST AND BELIEVE THIS WAS PART OF THE FAILURE THE HEAT SOURCE BEING SO CLOSE. I ALSO NOTICED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD A SMALL LEAK AROUND THE SEAL. *TR
Jul 9, 2011 · 12,950 miles
Electrical system
THE GAS GAUGE FAILED THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS PART HAS FAILED ON MY MOTORCYCLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN JULY 2009 WHICH THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE GAUGE GIVES FALSE READINGS, IT WILL SHOW FULL AND VARIOUS OTHER READINGS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. FOR EXAMPLE I FILLED THE TANK AND IT READ FULL THEN 10 MILES LATER IT WENT TO EMPTY AND SHOWED REMAINING MILES TO EMPTY AS 25. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND HARLEY DAVIDSON STILL HASN'T COME UP WITH A FIX.
Jun 3, 2011 · 12,639 miles
Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROCKER FXCW MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BOLTS SUPPORTING THE DRIVE SPROCKETS TO THE REAR WHEEL COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE HUB. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 1,000.
Apr 26, 2010 · 1,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES. THE PLASTIC FUEL FILTER HOUSING HAS PLASTIC LATCHES THAT ATTACH IT TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THE LATCHES ARE BREAKING ON HUNDREDS OF 2008 MOTORCYCLES, TO THE POINT THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACKORDER FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. I HAVE A 2008 FLHX 105 ANNIVERSARY STREET GLIDE, WHICH IS NOT LISTED IN YOUR DROP DOWN FOR VEHICLE MODEL... WHEN THE PART FAILS THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STOPS RUNNING DUE TO LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE. THIS OF COURSE IS DISASTROUS WHEN MERGING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, GOING UP BRIDGES, ETC. THERE ARE MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS ON HDFORUM.COM ALSO ON HDFORUMS.COM LOOK AT HTTP://WWW.HDFORUMS.COM/M_3507391/TM.HTM, AND HTTP://WWW.HDFORUMS.COM/M_3517184/TM.HTM,…
Jun 13, 2008 · 5,700 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

MOTORCYCLE STALLINGClosedLed to recall 08V357000
THE SUBJECT FUEL FILTER HOUSING (P/N 62229-08) CRACKS, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ENGINE STALL DUE TO UNREGULATED FUEL PRESSURE.HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAS MODIFIED THE HOUSING WITH A NEW PART NUMBER 62229-08A.SHORTLY AFTER OPENING THIS PE, ODI RECEIVED HARLEY'S DEFECT NOTIFICATION INDICATING THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE BEING RECALLED TO INSTALL THE NEW FUEL FILTER HOUSING.WITH THAT RECALL, RECEIVED PRIOR TO RELEASE OF OUR INFORMATION REQUEST, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CONCLUDED.
PE08043 · opened Jul 17, 2008 · closed Aug 8, 2008