2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
27,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Power Train: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (2). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10208448 · 2007-11-08 (November 8, 2007)
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRAGLIDE THE BACK CYLINDER HEAD AND EXHAUST ARE SO HOT AS TO CAUSE BLISTERS ON LEGS DURING NORMAL RIDING. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM EVEN AFTER PURCHASING HEAT SHIELDS AND INSTALLATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE MOTORCYCLE DESIGN IS FLAWED. I HAVE HAD BLISTERS ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS NOW TO THE INSIDE AND BACK OF MY LEGS. THIS IS NOT FROM TOUCHING THE PIPES OR HEAD IT IS FROM NORMAL RIDING . *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 175 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472683 · 2012-08-27 (August 27, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A ROLLING NOISE COMING FORM THE SHIFTER. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT A METAL COMPONENT HAD FALLEN AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ROTOR STATOR ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000..UPDATED11/19/12 *BF UPDATED 11/20/2012 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10520806 · 2013-06-20 (June 20, 2013)
GROWLING NOISE FROM A BAD BEARING IN PRIMARY. HAD BIKE AT A HARLEY SHOP WHERE BIKE WAS PURCHASED TO BE INSPECTED FOR COMPLAINT. FOUND PRIMARY BEARING FAILED. NO OTHER FAILURE. WAS TOLD FAILURE NO FAULT OF OWNER. CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON AND RECEIVED A REFERENCE NUMBER FOR TRACKING. HARLEY HAS A ISSUE WITH BEARINGS, BOTH IN PRIMARY AND TRANSMISSION. NEITHER HARLEY MANUFACTURING OR LOCAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE SEEMS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT FAILURE. DEALER IS LIMITED TO A FACTORY REPAIR FOR THERE IS NO ALTERNATE BEARING FOR REPAIR. SHOP REPAIRED …
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10520806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11075665 · 2018-03-01 (March 1, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE FLHT. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TIMMS HARLEY-DAVIDSON (4110 CLEMSON BLVD, ANDERSON, SC 29621, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11075665 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V357000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 2008-07-30 (July 30, 2008)
HARLEY DAVIDSON IS RECALLING 47,579 MY 2008 FLHP, FLHPE, FLHR, FLHRC, FLHRSE4, FLHT, FLHTC, FLHTCU, FLHTCUSE3, FLHTP, FLHX, AND FLTR MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES MAY EXPERIENCE A CRACKING OF THE FUEL FILTER SHELL LEADING TO LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE. THIS LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE CAN CAUSE DIMINISHED PERFORMANCE AND, IN SOME CASES, MAY CAUSE AN ENGINE STALL OR A NO-START CONDITION.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER SHELL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V076000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Fluid
Reported: 2018-01-29 (January 29, 2018)
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owners Manual.
Consequence: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.
NHTSA campaign record ↗