2008 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
3,050 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 9 complaints (44.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 22.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 11.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Electrical System: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2015: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10432905 · 2011-10-26 (October 26, 2011)
I OWN A 2008 VRSCDX HARLEY DAVIDSON - THE REAR BRAKE FAILED AS IT IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT, DUE TO ITS PROXIMITY TO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC PORTION OF THE SWITCH MELTING ALLOWING THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT OF THE SYSTEM. I HAVE CONTACTED HD AND PROVIDED THEM WITH MULTIPLE CASES OF OTHER VRSCDX BIKES HAVING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND HD DID NOT INCLUDE THIS MODEL IN THEIR CURRENT RECALL OF OTHER MODELS WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS - ALSO HD HAS RE-DESIGNED THE BRAKE SWITCH LOCATION…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10432905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11402519 · 2021-03-11 (March 11, 2021)
THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HAS FAILED WHICH IS CAUSING THE ABS FEATURE TO BECOME UNUSABLE AND BRAKES NOW DEGRADED AND FAULTY WITHOUT PAYING FOR A NEW UNIT WHICH HARLEY HAS QUOTED $1400 TO REPLACE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 ## VIN PASSED ## HARLEY DAVIDSON 2008 ##
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11402519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10402553 · 2011-05-24 (May 24, 2011)
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE. OFTEN READS FULL WHEN IT'S ACTUALLY MUCH LOWER. THIS IS MORE CRITICAL ON A MOTORCYCLE (AND ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS) AS THE DRIVEN WHEEL AND TIRE ARE DIRECTLY CONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE TO THE ROAD. IF THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTS DOWN, THE RIDER COULD BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. ANOTHER CONCERN WOULD BE CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION WHERE THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTS OFF, LEAVING THE RIDER GROSSLY EXPOSED TO SEVERE INJURY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10354872 · 2010-09-10 (September 10, 2010)
FUEL GAUGE IS ALWAYS ERRATIC IN DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF REMAINING FUEL (GENERALLY REPORTS MORE THAN IS REMAINING). THIS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF FUEL, LOSS OF POWER AND STALL. NO CORRECTION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10354872 at NHTSA ↗