Harley-Davidson FXDC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
4,192 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 19 complaints (15.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 21.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
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 | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
Electrical System: 3; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (17). 2 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 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2018: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10412541 · 2011-07-10 (July 10, 2011)
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 CL…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10412541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11629572 · 2024-12-09 (December 9, 2024)
The rear brake light switch failed. Yes it is available for inspection - I’ll 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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11629572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10335234 · 2010-06-08 (June 8, 2010)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10335234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10336936 · 2010-06-18 (June 18, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA SCREAMING EAGLE FL HT CUSE5 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE YET THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE FAILURE POTENTIALLY WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR AND THEY WOULD SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY FAILURES AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE NEXT DAY, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHI…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10701530 · 2015-03-24 (March 24, 2015)
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDC 2010, RIDDEN IN URBAN AND HIGHWAY ON-ROAD ENVIRONMENT SUFFERS FROM A CHRONIC FUEL LEAK, ORIGINATING FROM A FAULTY VALVE UNDER THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE PRIMARY FUEL HOSE. ACCORDING TO STAFF AT ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP, ALL BIKES OF THIS TYPE SUFFER FROM A CHRONIC FUEL LEAKING PROBLEM THAT ORIGINATES FROM USE OF SUBSTANDARD VALVES CONTAINING INFERIOR RUBBERS ON THE FUEL TANKS. WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE TANK NEARLY EMPTY TO PREVENT THE FUEL FROM LEAKING OUT. REPAIRS WERE NOT CARRIED OUT DUE TO THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR AND TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,192 miles reported. Look up ODI 10701530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231701 · 2008-06-20 (June 20, 2008)
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 MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10594123 · 2014-05-26 (May 26, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING THIS MOTORCYCLE, AFTER ABOUT GOING THREE TO FOUR MILES, I RELEASED THE THROTTLE AND THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD ACCELERATE, AND NOT SLOW DOWN. I FORCED THE BIKE TO STOP BY DOWN SHIFTING IT AND PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF. I STARTED THE BIKE UP A FEW MINUTES LATER , AND HAD TO SHUT IT OFF ON THE WAY BACK HOME MORE THAN ONCE TO KEEP IT FROM ACCELERATING AGAIN, THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE BETWEEN 2400 AND 3100 RPM'S. IT DID THE SAME THING FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS SO I TOOK IT …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10594123 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 0; 2012: 0