Illustration2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON NIGHT ROD SPECIAL REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS LOCATED 1/2" FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS SWITCH GETS HOT AND MELTS THE SWITCH ALLOWING ALL THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND CREATE A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Fxdwg
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Fxdwg years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 11 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
2 reportsBRAND: HARLEY DAVIDSON. MODEL: XR1200 (NEW MODEL NOT REPORTED IN YOUR MODEL LIST). CRASH WITH INJURIES. FRONT BRAKES FAILURE BY LOCK-UP ON A NEW HD XR1200 OWNED BY HD AND LENT TO ME FOR A DEMO-RIDE (OR TEST). THE MAIN WITNESS HAS STATED IN WRITING THAT HE HAS CHECKED AND DOUBLE-CHECKED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WAS STILL BLOCKED BY T…
Read full complaint
BRAND: HARLEY DAVIDSON. MODEL: XR1200 (NEW MODEL NOT REPORTED IN YOUR MODEL LIST). CRASH WITH INJURIES. FRONT BRAKES FAILURE BY LOCK-UP ON A NEW HD XR1200 OWNED BY HD AND LENT TO ME FOR A DEMO-RIDE (OR TEST). THE MAIN WITNESS HAS STATED IN WRITING THAT HE HAS CHECKED AND DOUBLE-CHECKED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WAS STILL BLOCKED BY THE FRONT BRAKES EVEN AFTER THE CRASH. THERE IS ALSO A POLICE REPORT WITH PICS, AND A MEDICAL REPORT WITH XRAYS. ALL THE DOCUMENTS ARE AT YOUR DISPOSAL. *TR
Official recalls
107V535000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
Nov 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES BUILT AND SHIPPED TO CALIFORNIA, THE CATALYTIC MUFFLER PROTECTIVE HEAT SHIELD WAS NOT INSTALLED. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW DIRECT CONTACT WITH THIS MUFFLER AND CAUSE INJURY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF CONTACT OCCURS WHILE RIDING, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE HEAT SHIELDS TO THE MUFFLERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. 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
1PE08043 · 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
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
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.