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

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2011

Power Train

FAULTY COMPENSATOR ON HARLEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392294

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2011

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON. CONSUMER STATES DESIGN FLAW AND SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MOTORCYCLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE HAD BEEN AT THE REPAIR SHOP SINCE SEPT 9, 2010 BECAUSE OF A THROTTLE PROBLEM CREATED BY THE BIKE GOING INTO LIMP MODE ON ITS OWN WHILE BEING DRIVEN OR WHILE AT A STOP. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WAY TO TEST THE BIKE UNTIL THE WEATHER IMPROVES IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECTIFIED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10391711

13,480 miles · Sep 8, 2010

Engine And Engine Cooling

COMPENSATOR FAILED ON 2008 HD FLHTCU. CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. HD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354582

11,570 miles · Jun 29, 2009

Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

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MY MOTORCYCLE WHEN I STARTED REMAINED AT HIGH IDLE AND WOULD NOT REDUCE TO NORMAL. I WAS WITH A GROUP OF RIDERS WHO WERE LEAVING SO I TOOK OFF AS IS AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE BIKE ONLY SLOWED TO 2000 RPM'S ALMOST CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO CAR AHEAD OF ME. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND MOTOR COMPANY INSTRUCTION WAS TO USE A IDLE RESET PROCEDURE CONSISTING OF TURNING THE IGNITION ON-OFF 4 TIMES. THIS WORKED FOR A FEW STARTS THEN WOULD OCCUR AGAIN. I RECENTLY SAW A BLOG IN A CHAT ROOM WHERE MOTOR COMPANY HAD ISSUED A TECH BULLETIN WHERE A DOWNLOAD TO THE ECU WOULD RESET THE CALIBRATION TIMING OF THE IDLE PROCEDURE. I ASKED THE DEALER TO UPDATE MY ECU AND THE RESPONSE WAS THAT BECAUSE I HAD MODIFIED MY BIKE IT WOULD COST $150 FOR THE UPDATE. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND AFTER MANY TRANSFERS WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH BULLETIN OR UPDATE I THEN GAVE THE PHONE TO DEALERS SERVICE MGR WHO GAVE THEM INFO HE HAD AND TOLD HIM TO NOT CHARGE FOR THE UPDATE AS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ACTION AND THE DEALER UPDATED AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM SINCE. I THINK SINCE THIS IS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE THE UPDATE SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED AND PERFORMED UNDER NORMAL WARRANTY. THIS DEFECT ONLY SEEMS TO EFFECT 08M AND 09M BIKES WHERE MOTOR COMPANY UPDATED FROM CABLE THROTTLE CONTROL TO ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275198

10,995 miles · Jun 18, 2009

Fuel System, Gasoline

IRON BLOCK HARLEY DAVIDSON REFUSED TO PERFORM A SAFETY RECALL ON MY HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC FUEL CANISTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274249

8,300 miles · May 2, 2009

Electrical System

2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUI (ULTRA CLASSIC. ENGINE QUIT WHILE CRUISING AT 50MPH. DIAGNOSED AS IGNITION COIL FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267538

900 miles · Jan 2, 2009

StructureCrashInjury

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MOTORCYCLE RIDING ON A CLEAR DAY ON NEW CONCRETE 2 LANE HIGHWAY, VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC IN RURAL IOWA. TOTAL OF THREE MOTORCYCLES. ALL THREE BRAND NEW HARLEY TOUR BIKES, ALL WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES. I WAS LAST BIKE IN GROUP WHEN MIDDLE BIKE EXPERIENCED REAR WHEEL WOBBLE WHILE ENTERING A SWEEPING CURVE AT 60 MPH.BIKE "WALKED" ITSELF ACROSS ONCOMING LANE AND INTO DITCH BEFORE RIDER COULD STOP IT. BIKE AND RIDER WERE NOT SERIOUSLY HURT. BIKE WAS DRIVABLE BUT FOR SAFETY, HAULED TO DEALER. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG AND NEVER HEARD OF PROBLEM BEFORE. UPON SEARCHING WEBSITES, FIND OUT MANY WITH SAME PROBLEM AND SAME RESPONSE FROM DEALER AND HARLEY, OWNER REFUSED DEALERS CLAIM OF NOTHING WRONG WITH BIKE AND ENDED UP ACCEPTING LOW BALL BUYBACK OFFER FROM DEALER. PROBLEM IS INHERENT DESIGN FLAW IN RUBBER ISOLATOR DONUTS IN REAR SWING ARM ALLOWING LATERAL MOVEMENT OF REAR WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253638

5,120 miles · Nov 4, 2008

Structure

WOBBLE IN FRAME OF 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. MANY AFTERMARKET PARTS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, BUT THE COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. THE FLAW COULD BE LIFE THREATENING AND CAUSE CRASHES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247701

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2008

Unknown Or Other

I NOTICED A VIBRATION ON OUR MOTORCYCLE WHEN WE REACHED 65 MPH OR FASTER ON THE MOTORCYCLE FROM THE WARRANTY REPAIRS LAST MONTH. WHEN I POLISHED THE MOTORCYCLE I NOTICED A AN IMPERFECTION ON THE REAR DRIVE GEAR. IT MAY BE A CASTING PROBLEM. I HAVE PICTURES TO SEND. PLEASE ADVISE. SINCERELY, BRIAN CULLIVER *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247472

25,212 miles · Oct 10, 2008

Seats

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I HAVE A HARLEY DAVIDSON 2004 ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRAGLIDE AND AS MY WIFE AND I WERE RIDING LAST SATURDAY, SHE FELT THE BACK OF HERE SEAT GO BACK. SHE ALMOST FELL OFF THE BIKE AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THE LICENSE PLATE BRACKET NOT ONLY WOULD I HAVE LOST THE TOUR PACK, BUT MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN SCATTERED ON THE STREET. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TOUR PACK BROKE WERE THE SCREWS GO THROUGH IT LIKE IF SOMEONE HAD HACKSAW THE PIPE. I FELL THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE HERD THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. SOME OF MY FELLOW RIDERS HAVE TAKE TO ME ABOUT THIS. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM. THANKYOU, RAFAEL *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245110

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