2008 Harley-Davidson Flht Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 23, 2018 · 4 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Flht years
Not enough data 7th of 20 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht. That ranks 7th out of 20 Flht model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (2 complaints, 50%), typically at around 27,500 miles. Complaints mention 1 injury. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train2 · ~27,500 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1 · ~175 mi
Service Brakes1 · ~56,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train250%27,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling125%175——
Service Brakes125%56,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2007, with 1 complaints
2007: 1200712012: 1201212013: 1201312018: 120181

n = 4 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Harley-Davidson Flht recalls (2)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; service brakes, hydraulic:fluidJan 29, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V076000 · 174,636 vehicles

Problem: 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 Owner’s Manual.

Risk: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and capJul 30, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V357000 · 47,579 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: This condition could lead to a crash which could cause injury or death to the rider.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle (PE16009) — opened Jul 6, 2016, closed Apr 23, 2018, led to recall 18V076000.
  • Motorcycle stalling (PE08043) — opened Jul 17, 2008, closed Aug 8, 2008, led to recall 08V357000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Service Brakes · received Mar 1, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11075665

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…

Power Train · received Jun 20, 2013 · NHTSA complaint 10520806

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…

Power Train · received Aug 27, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10472683

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…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Nov 8, 2007 · NHTSA complaint 10208448

Other Harley-Davidson Flht years

← 2007 Flht · 2009 Flht →

See all Harley-Davidson Flht problems by year, every Harley-Davidson model, or the Harley-Davidson VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht?

Owners most often report power train, engine and engine cooling, service brakes problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flht a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Flht model years, the 2008 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.