2008 Harley-Davidson FLHR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
12,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10627377 · 2014-08-22 (August 22, 2014)
SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKE; PEDAL GOES TO THE MAXIMUM LIMIT WITHOUT RESISTANCE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10627377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072402 · 2018-02-12 (February 12, 2018)
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE RECALL ON THE ABS BRAKES ON 2008 HD FLHR ROAD KING I TOWED MY MOTORCYCLE TO TUCSON HARLEY BECAUSE THE BACK BRAKE WOULDN'T WORK THEY TOLD ME DUE TO MAINTENANCE THE ABS MODULE IS BAD $800.00 PARTS ALONE I JUST BOUGHT THIS BIKE IN DEC USED I HAVEN'T PUT 50 MILES NO WAY TO CHECK MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN YOU BUY IT PRIVATE PARTY.THE RECALL SHOULD BE ON THE ABS MODULE BECAUSE THEY USED THE WRONG BRAKE FLUID, TO BEGIN WITH, THE PART ABS MODULE # 4688-08 IS THE PROBLEM IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET BLOGS IT ALSO SAYS DE…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,038 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10434594 · 2011-11-03 (November 3, 2011)
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYLCE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RAPID ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, IT STARTED TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE OVER THE SPEED SET ON THE ELECTRICAL SPEED CONTROL. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS SET AT 50 MPH. HOWEVER, THE BIKE RACED UP TO 70 MPH ON ITS OWN. THE CRUISE CONTROL DID SHUT OF WHEN THE CONSUMER MANUALLY PRESSED THE SET SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTING WAS TURNED OFF, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. UPON RETURNING HOME, THE CONSUMER ATTACHE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10434594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537735 · 2013-08-28 (August 28, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHR MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537735 at NHTSA ↗