2008 Harley-Davidson FLHTC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
15,626 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 15 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 33.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Service Brakes: 5; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, 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 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 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 (9). 0 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 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 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 10584542 · 2014-04-23 (April 23, 2014)
DRIVING MY HARLEY AT ABOUT 20-30 MPH PULLING UP TO RED LIGHT. GO TO HIT FRONT BRAKE. NOTHING. FRONT BRAKE IS COMPLETELY DISABLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT APPEARS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS FAULTY ABS MODULES AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST NOR PROBABLY THE LAST OF THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY COMPLAINT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 55,005 miles reported. Look up ODI 10584542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10862470 · 2016-05-02 (May 2, 2016)
FRONT BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. BRAKE LEVER BECAME ROCK HARD & WOULD NOT ACTIVATE THE FRONT BRAKES AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAD BENEFITTING A FEW DAYS. VERY SHOCKED WHEN I WENT TO USE THE FRONT BRAKES & THEY WOULD NOT WORK, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10862470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10520433 · 2013-06-18 (June 18, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL SERVICE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE PRIOR TO THE RECALL SERVICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE, THE FUEL FILTER SHELL CRACKED LEADING TO A LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE RECALL FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10520433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10502754 · 2013-03-14 (March 14, 2013)
BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING THE BIKE TO SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN TO ABOUT 15 MPH. CAUSE WAS FRETTING OF THROTTLE BODY WIRING CONNECTOR PINS. FACTORY HAS KNOWN OF PROBLEM AND HAS A TCB OUT ON ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN RIDING ON HIGHWAYS. COMPANY NEED TO HAVE RECALL BUT THEY WON'T. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502754 at NHTSA ↗