2008 Harley-Davidson FLHRC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
17,749 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 33.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 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: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 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 (7). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2010: 4; 2013: 2; 2015: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10343268 · 2010-07-14 (July 14, 2010)
OUR 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND ABS PULLS TO THE LEFT IF CONSTANT PRESSURE IS NOT APPLIED TO THE HANDLEBARS. IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE BARS IT WILL PROMPTLY CROSS THE CENTER LINE AND WOULD BE HEADING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WE MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THIS SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO POINT IT OUT TO THEM AND HAVE QUESTIONED THE SAFETY OF THE MACHINE. WE WERE ASSURED THAT ALL OF THEIR BIKES WILL GO A LITTLE TO THE LEFT OR A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT, IT IS NORMAL. "THAT IS JUST HOW THEY ARE MADE"…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10343268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10526088 · 2013-07-22 (July 22, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH, I ENCOUNTERED A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I APPLIED MY FOOT OPERATED REAR BRAKE FIRST AND FOUND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. ONLY AFTER I APPLIED MY FRONT HAND BRAKE COULD I GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO DISENGAGE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE LEAD TO SERIOUS RIDER/PASSENGER INJURY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 17,749 miles reported. Look up ODI 10526088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10244352 · 2008-10-04 (October 4, 2008)
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON THE END OF JULY 08 AND AS OF NOW OCT, I AM STILL UNABLE TO HAVE THE RECALL CORRECTED. I LEFT MY NAME AND TELEPHONE AT THE SHOP IN TACOMA, WA TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND AM STILL WAITING. THE RECALL SAYS THE ENGINE STALL COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. INSTEAD OF HAVING LEGAL DISCLAIMERS, CORRECTIVE ACTION IS NEEDED TO LIMIT FURTHER LOSS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11124446 · 2018-09-04 (September 4, 2018)
REAR BRAKE SWITCH WIRING MELTED. BRAKE SWITCH BEGAN LEAKING PROFUSELY. DEALER SAYS BRAKE FLUID EXCHANGE RECALLED FOR YEAR. THE SWITCH WAS NOT. HOWEVER, FORUMS SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE EXHAUST HEADER HEAT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE SWITCH HAS BEEN REDESIGNED. I HAVE ONE ORDERED. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED SPONTANEOUSLY AND COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.*DT VIN PROVIDED HAS NO DISPLAYABLE RECORDS. UPDATED 10/2/18*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 12,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11124446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10339611 · 2010-06-22 (June 22, 2010)
MY 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC WITH CRUISE CONTROL PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN HANDS ARE TAKEN OFF THE HANDLE BARS. THE BIKE ONLY HAS 3400 MILES ON IT AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE FIRST MONTH I HAD IT FOR THIS PROBLEM. NO FIX FOUND AND NOW THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR 6 WEEKS WITH NO FIX. IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE BARS FOR A SECOND TO ADJUST YOUR HELMET, GLASSES OR REMOVE A BUG THAT GETS IN YOUR EYE THE BIKE STARTS TO PULL TO THE LEFT AND YOU HAVE TO LEAN VERY FAR TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. THIS IS A VERY LETHAL P…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10339611 at NHTSA ↗