NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Harley-Davidson Flht Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2008 Harley-Davidson Flht owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht, describing incidents dated October 28, 2007 to July 11, 2017.

Most-cited components

Power Train 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Together, the 4 complaints on file report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11075665 · Filed 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…
ODI #10520806 · Filed 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…
ODI #10472683 · Filed 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…

Read all 4 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE16-009: Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle
Closed April 23, 2018
- Recall 18V-076
Preliminary Evaluation PE08-043: MOTORCYCLE STALLING
Closed August 8, 2008
- Recall 08V-357

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Brakes may Fail Due to Not Flushing Brake Fluid

NHTSA #18V076000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Fluid · NHTSA notice

Reported January 29, 2018 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 174,636 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.48% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0171 · Owners notified February 14, 2018 · Vehicles built June 11, 2007 – June 6, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL FILTER SHELL/DELPHI POWERTRAIN

NHTSA #08V357000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filler Pipe and Cap · NHTSA notice

Reported July 30, 2008 · HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 47,579 vehicles

Harley-Davidson campaign 0135 · Owners notified July 31, 2008 · Vehicles built May 6, 2007 – December 11, 2007 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

HARLEY DAVIDSON RECALL NO. 0135.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht.

Service Brakes

ODI #11075665

Incident: July 11, 2017 · Filed: 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, (864) 224-1531) 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 NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Power Train

ODI #10520806

Incident: June 1, 2013 · Filed: 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 BIKE AND INSTALLED NEW BEARING AND ASSOCIATED PARTS TO CORRECT COMPLAINT. PARTS INSTALLED HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED SO I PROBABLY WILL HAVE THE SAME CONCERN IN ANOTHER 24,000 MILES. WHEN I DISCUSSED THIS WITH HARLEY MANUFACTURING. I WAS TOLD THAT HARLEY KEEPS TRACK OF COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS BUT COULD NOT GIVE CONSUMER ANY INDICATION AS TO WHEN OR HOW MANY COMPLAINTS, AND EVEN IF FATALITY OR INJURY WOULD RESULT FROM SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, THAT HARLEY WOULD GET SERIOUS IN CORRECTING FAILING BEARING IN DRIVE TRAIN. SO AS TO SAFETY I GUESS IT IS JUST A GAMBLE AS TO HOW LONG THIS REPAIR WILL LAST AND HOPEFULLY I WILL GET A GROWLING NOISE NEXT TIME ALSO TO FOR WARN OPERATOR OF IMPENDING FAILURE... *TR

Power Train

ODI #10472683

Incident: August 18, 2012 · Filed: 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

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10208448

1 injury

Incident: October 28, 2007 · Filed: 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

Other Harley-Davidson Flht model years

Check your 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Harley-Davidson Flht at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Harley-Davidson VIN