2008 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
81 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
25,606 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 70 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 81 complaints (37.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 36 | 44.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.2% |
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 | 30 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
Service Brakes: 30; Power Train: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 33 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 33; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (33). 11 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 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2008: 13; 2009: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 11; 2012: 2; 2013: 6; 2014: 4; 2015: 5; 2016: 14; 2017: 7; 2018: 6; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10208374 · 2007-11-08 (November 8, 2007)
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE DEFECTIVE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT THE DAY HE BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE. MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP, HE BEGAN TO GEAR THE MOTORCYCLE DOWN FROM A SPEED OF 35 MPH AND BEGAN TO FEATHER THE FRONT BRAKE TO REDUCE SPEED. THE SECOND TIME HE GENTLY SQUEEZED THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE, AND IT DIDN'T FEEL COMPLETELY NORMAL. THE THIRD TIME HE TOUCHED THE BRAKE LEVER THE FRONT BRAKE AND WHEEL COMPLETE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10208374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230758 · 2008-06-11 (June 11, 2008)
THROTTLE ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN. TOOK IT TO DEALER ON MAY 30TH TO REPAIR. WAS TOLD THAT HARLEY IS WORKING ON A FIX. WHEN IN TIGHT TURN IF BIKE ACCELERATES LOSS OF CONTROL AND LIFE CAN OCCUR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232134 · 2008-06-24 (June 24, 2008)
FUEL FILTER HOUSING INSIDE GAS TANK. FAULTY HOUSING BREAKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233930 · 2008-07-09 (July 9, 2008)
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE HAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE MAKING A SCREAMING NOISE. *NJ THE DEALER CLEANED THE PADS WITHOUT REMOVING THEM WITH BRAKE CLEAN. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE PAD PINS, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED 10 MILES LATER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10233930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10237066 · 2008-08-05 (August 5, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD RECEIVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER DID A SYSTEM OF "WAVE SHIPMENTS", SENDING ONLY A FEW PARTS TO EVERY DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10237066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10238995 · 2008-08-20 (August 20, 2008)
THE THROTTLE CONTROL ON THE MOTORCYCLE IS A "THROTTLE BY WIRE" TYPE OF CONTROL AND THE IDLE POSITION DOES NOT REMAIN CONSTANT. ONE TIME THE MOTOR WILL IDLE AT 1050 RPM'S AND THE NEXT TIME IT WILL IDLE AT 1400 RPM'S. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE THE IDLE POINT WILL INCREASE AND YOU CAN END UP WITH THE "IDLE POINT" AT 1800 RPM'S WHEN IT SHOULD BE SETTING AT 1050RPM'S. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS HIGH IDLE CONDITION AND IT PUTS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN DANGER OF A ACCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239666 · 2008-08-25 (August 25, 2008)
OUT FOR AN AFTERNOON RIDE WITH FRIENDS ON MY 08 ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE ENTERING A LEFT CURVE, THE THROTTLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSED THE BIKE TO SPEED UP UNEXPECTEDLY AND DRIFT RIGHT. TRIED RETARDING THE THROTTLE AND GOT NO RESPONSE. DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND APPLIED REAR BRAKES IN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE BIKE DOWN WITHOUT RESULTS. THIS RESULTED IN A SERIOUS SINGLE RIDER CRASH WITH LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THIS BIKE HAS FLY-BY-WIRE THROTTLE. HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE STATES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THROTT…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240751 · 2008-09-03 (September 3, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGES ON THE VANCE HINES PIPE ON THE EXHAUST DUE TO THE RECALLED COMPONENT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240751 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 ↗