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 · Sep 19, 2008

Fuel System, Gasoline

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL WHEN THEY ARRIVED. HE WAS NEVER CALLED SO THE DEALER WAS CALLED AGAIN. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE PARTS, THEY REPAIRED OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT SHIPMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. *UPDATED 10/20/08 *BF AS OF OCT 7, 2008 THE BIKE STILL HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/21/08

NHTSA ODI #10242918

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008

Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP). HE CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR, WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP). HE CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR, WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST 4, 2008. THE DEALER PLACED HIM ON A WAITING LIST AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND THE PARTS TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND WOULD CALL THE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING DAY. AS OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2008, THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN SHIPPED, NOR HAS THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.

NHTSA ODI #10242270

300 miles · Sep 10, 2008

Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC FLHTCU. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR, HE HEARD A CLANKING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO DEFECTS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND.…

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NHTSA ODI #10241724

74,000 miles · Sep 3, 2008

Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGES ON THE VANCE HINES PIPE ON THE EXHAUST DUE TO THE RECALLED COMPONENT. T…

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NHTSA ODI #10240751

500 miles · Aug 25, 2008

Power TrainCrashInjury

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OUT FOR AN AFTERNOON RIDE WITH FRIENDS ON MY 08 ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE ENTERING A LEFT CURVE, THE THROTTLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSED THE BIKE TO SPEED UP UNEXPECTEDLY AND DRIFT RIGHT. TRIED RETARDING THE THROTTLE AND GOT NO RESPONSE. DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND APPLIED REAR BRAKES IN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE BIKE DOWN WITHOUT RESULTS. THIS RESULTED IN A SERIOUS SINGLE RIDER CRASH WITH LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THIS BIKE HAS FLY-BY-WIRE THROTTLE. HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOMER SERVICE STATES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THROTTLE ISSUES WITH THE NEW TOURING MODELS SINCE SUMMER OF 2007. HOWEVER INFORMATION/RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PASSED ON TO THE CUSTOMER CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, SOMEONE ELSE MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239666

250 miles · Aug 20, 2008

Engine And Engine Cooling

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THE THROTTLE CONTROL ON THE MOTORCYCLE IS A "THROTTLE BY WIRE" TYPE OF CONTROL AND THE IDLE POSITION DOES NOT REMAIN CONSTANT. ONE TIME THE MOTOR WILL IDLE AT 1050 RPM'S AND THE NEXT TIME IT WILL IDLE AT 1400 RPM'S. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE THE IDLE POINT WILL INCREASE AND YOU CAN END UP WITH THE "IDLE POINT" AT 1800 RPM'S WHEN IT SHOULD BE SETTING AT 1050RPM'S. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS HIGH IDLE CONDITION AND IT PUTS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN DANGER OF A ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238995

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2008

Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD RECEIVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER DID A SYSTEM OF "WAVE SHIPMENTS", SENDING ONLY A FEW PARTS…

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NHTSA ODI #10237066

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2008

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE HAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE MAKING A SCREAMING NOISE. *NJ THE DEALER CLEANED THE PADS WITHOUT REMOVING THEM WITH BRAKE CLEAN. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE PAD PINS, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED 10 MILES LATER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10233930

7,200 miles · Jun 24, 2008

Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL FILTER HOUSING INSIDE GAS TANK. FAULTY HOUSING BREAKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232134

450 miles · Jun 11, 2008

Fuel System, Other

THROTTLE ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN. TOOK IT TO DEALER ON MAY 30TH TO REPAIR. WAS TOLD THAT HARLEY IS WORKING ON A FIX. WHEN IN TIGHT TURN IF BIKE ACCELERATES LOSS OF CONTROL AND LIFE CAN OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230758

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