2008 Harley-Davidson VRSCAW: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
5,850 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 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/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 50.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 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 | 5 |
| 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: 5; 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 (5). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering 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 10273104 · 2009-06-08 (June 8, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCAW MOTORCYCLE. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE FOOT PEG SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED A CRASH AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR ISSUES WITH THE FOOT PEG. HIS ATTORNEY ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,889 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,850.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10452515 · 2012-03-21 (March 21, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCAW MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED AND WOULD NOT REGISTER IF THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL OR EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,800.
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10514729 · 2013-06-02 (June 2, 2013)
THE FUEL GAUGE IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY. IT WILL SOMETIMES DISPLAY A 1/2 TANK AND THEN GO DOWN TO COMPLETE EMPTY AFTER TRAVELING 10-15 MILES FROM A COMPLETE FILL UP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10514729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10924081 · 2016-11-03 (November 3, 2016)
THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE GAUGE WILL GO FROM 100% FULL, TO EMPTY, TO A 1/4 FILLED WITHIN MINUTES. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN SITTING OR MOVING. THE GAUGE IS UNPREDICTABLE AND UNRELIABLE. I JUST PURCHASED THE BIKE IN OCTOBER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10924081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10984361 · 2017-05-08 (May 8, 2017)
AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE & DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I HAD COMPLETE FAILURE ON MY FRONT BRAKES, DUE TO THE FRONT BRAKE WAS IN HYDRAULIC LOCK, LUCKILY THE BACK BRAKES WERE STILL USABLE. THE FRONT WHEEL WAS FREE TO SPIN BUT NO BRAKES COULD BE APPLIED TO IT, IT DID WORK MOMENTS BEFORE WHILE IN MY DRIVEWAY. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE MOST OF YOUR STOPPING POWER IS AT THE FRONT BRAKE & IF ONE NEEDS IT AT THE WRONG MOMENT, THAT COULD BE FATAL, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR NOT EXPECTING IT. THIS BIKE HAS ABS BRAKES & IT'S THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT THAT WENT BAD. AFTER…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,342 miles reported. Look up ODI 10984361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11103664 · 2018-06-24 (June 24, 2018)
REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE (CRACK IN PLASTIC HOUSING) CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING. BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH BRAKE FLUID. FRONT FORK SEAL FAILURE AT 14K MILES CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11103664 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.