Service Brakes. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

81 reports

45,546 miles · May 30, 2014

Service Brakes

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WHILE COMING TO A SLOW STOP USING BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES THE FOOT PEDAL FOR THE REAR BRAKES FELT SOFT AND WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD. UPON STOPPING THE MOTORCYCLE I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE MOTOR. DURING EXAMINATION I SAW THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING AT THE POINT WHERE THE CLUTCH CABLE CROSSES BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND THE LINE. THE VIBRATION OF THE MOTOR APPARENTLY CAUSED THE CLUTCH CABLE TO WEAR A HOLE IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE DUE TO THE ROUTING OF THE TWO PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595223

35,000 miles · May 30, 2014

EngineFuel System, Other

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE O-RING AND THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10595171

21,000 miles · Feb 17, 2014

Service Brakes

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WHILE RIDING MY 2008 FLHTCU AT LOW SPEEDS MY FRONT BREAK LEVER BECAME FROZEN IN PLACE, THE LEVER WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES AT ALL. THE BIKE DID NOT DISPLAY ANY FAULT CODES. I TOOK THE BIKE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY VERIFIED MY ABS MODULE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACED. MY COMPLAINT IS, THE BIKE WAS IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION AND WITH OUT WARNING I HAD A CATASTROPHIC BREAK FAILURE. I BELIEVE THIS WARRANTS AN INVESTIGATION BECAUSE OF THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE BREAKS ARE TO RIDING A MOTORCYCLE AND HOW MANY DEATHS ARE DUE TO OR FUTURE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE SEEN ONLINE OTHER OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564630

53,912 miles · Nov 6, 2013

Service Brakes

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WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AND EXITING ON THE OFF RAMP, I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FRONT BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTIONING ABS MODULE. THE FRONT BRAKE COULD NOT BE APPLIED. THE BRAKE LEVER WAS FROZEN AS IF IT WERE WELDED IN PLACE.. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING PRIOR TO THIS TIME. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE USING THE BACK BRAKE ONLY AND NOT BY A LARGE MARGIN! AFTER THE INCIDENT THE BRAKE LEVER REMAINED FROZEN AND I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM YET. AFTER A LOT OF HEAD SCRATCHING I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE ABS MODULE IS NOT ALLOWING ANY BRAKE FLUID TO PASS THROUGH. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE LEVER TO FREEZE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551177

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2013

Tires

THE INSIDE OF TIRE CAME APART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546371

14,500 miles · May 8, 2013

Vehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT GUARANTEE A REMEDY TO THE FAILURE AND IF THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE THROTTLE WOULD THEN HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511056

27,000 miles · May 6, 2013

Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE COTNACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT END WOBBLED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE…

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NHTSA ODI #10510784

38,000 miles · Apr 26, 2013

SteeringSuspensionWheels

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I HAVE A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC THAT HAS DEVELOPED A REAR WHEEL WOBBLE WHILE CORNERING OR GOING THROUGH CURVES. THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE THE REAR WHEEL SLIDES OR SHIFTS TO THE SIDE WHILE CORNERING UPSETTING THE BALANCE OF THE BIKE AND MAKING IT UNCOMFORTABLE/DANGEROUS TO RIDE. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND I WILL NO LONGER RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE. I'VE HAD THE MOTORCYCLE INTO THE DEALER AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY ADVISED ME THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE VEHICLE AT A H-D DEALER SERVICE SHOP. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WITH THIS COMPLAINT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX IT BY THE USE OF AFTERMARKET PARTS HOWEVER I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS INVOLVED WITH FIXING THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. I'VE ALSO LEARNED THAT H-D MAY HAVE SENT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN TO THEIR DEALERS TELLING THEM NOT TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM WITH BIKE OWNERS DUE TO POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION. I HAVE CONTACTED H-D CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE ME A FILE NUMBER ON MY CASE AND TOLD ME TO GIVE IT TO MY DEALER AND HAVE THEM CALL H-D ABOUT IT. PRIOR TO TAKING THE MOTORCYCLE IN TO THE DEALER TODAY I HAD A POLICE MOTORCYCLE PATROL OFFICER/INSTRUCTOR WITH THE IL. STATE POLICE RIDE THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF HE FELT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS I DID. HE ADVISED ME HE COULD FEEL WHAT FELT LIKE THE REAR WHEEL SLIDE AS HE WENT THROUGH CURVES AND IT WAS SCARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509712

38,400 miles · Apr 3, 2013

Service Brakes

COMPLETE FAILURE OF REAR BRAKE. LINE FAILURE DUE TO CHAFING FROM CLUTCH CABLE AND LOSS OF FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505496

70,000 miles · Dec 12, 2012

EngineFire

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE CARBURETOR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY AT HIS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10488104

Official recalls

18V076000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

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.

08V357000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Jul 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE16009 · Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle

Opened Jul 6, 2016 · Closed Apr 23, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles.Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an analysis of the Dow 460 brake fluid used as original equipment on the subject motorcycles and determined that it had stability issues if left in the brake system for an extended period of time.Harley Davidson found that if a brake fluid flush was not conducted as outlined in the owner?s manual for the motorcycles, and was left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.Through further testing, Harley Davidson identified an alternate, commercially available, brake fluid that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to Harley Davidson and Dow Chemical (the supplier of the brake fluid on the subject motorcycles) to collect information about the subject bikes and the alleged defect.Harley Davidson responded in full on Sept 30, 2016 and Dow responded with a confidential submission on October 25, 2017.ODI analyzed the information contained in both IR responses and concluded that motorcycles manufactured during Model Years (MY) 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were failing at a rate greater than their peers.Based on this analysis and the brake fluid study conducted by Harley Davidson, a group of motorcycles was identified that were potentially affected by the instability of the original brake fluid.2008 marked the introduction of ABS on Harley Davidson motorcycles and a change in the Dow 460 brake fluid used in the 2012 MY vehicles provided the bases for the scope of the affected population.With recall action 18V-076 taken by Harley Davidson this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.

PE08043 · Motorcycle Stalling

Opened Jul 17, 2008 · Closed Aug 8, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

THE SUBJECT FUEL FILTER HOUSING (P/N 62229-08) CRACKS, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ENGINE STALL DUE TO UNREGULATED FUEL PRESSURE.HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAS MODIFIED THE HOUSING WITH A NEW PART NUMBER 62229-08A.SHORTLY AFTER OPENING THIS PE, ODI RECEIVED HARLEY'S DEFECT NOTIFICATION INDICATING THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE BEING RECALLED TO INSTALL THE NEW FUEL FILTER HOUSING.WITH THAT RECALL, RECEIVED PRIOR TO RELEASE OF OUR INFORMATION REQUEST, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CONCLUDED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Fuel System, Gasoline