2008 Harley-Davidson Flhr recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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 (VRSCAW…
What could happen: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLHR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V076000 (manufacturer code 0171).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-258-2464.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
Summary: 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: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FLHR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08V357000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-414-343-4056.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Summary: 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: 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.
Notes: HARLEY DAVIDSON RECALL NO. 0135. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (4), Electrical system (3), Engine (3), Brakes (2), Fuel system (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/12/2018 · Brakes
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE RECALL ON THE ABS BRAKES ON 2008 HD FLHR ROAD KING I TOWED MY MOTORCYCLE TO TUCSON HARLEY BECAUSE THE BACK BRAKE WOULDN'T WORK THEY TOLD ME DUE TO MAINTENANCE THE ABS MODULE IS BAD $800.00 PARTS ALONE I JUST BOUGHT THIS BIKE IN DEC USED I HAVEN'T PUT 50 MILES NO WAY TO CHECK MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN YOU BUY IT PRIVATE PAR…
08/22/2014 · Brakes
SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKE; PEDAL GOES TO THE MAXIMUM LIMIT WITHOUT RESISTANCE. *TR
04/19/2014 · Wheels / tires · crash
FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP AT 40 MPH AND THREW ME OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. WE BELIEVE THE CAUSE TO BE A DEFECTIVE FRONT WHEEL BEARING. *TR
12/11/2013 · Electrical system · crash
I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME T…
08/28/2013 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHR MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
05/13/2013 · Engine
STOCK COMPENSATOR FAILED AT 12300 MILES. HD SUGGESTS REPLACING WITH UPGRADED SCREAMING EAGLE COMPENSATOR. HIGH SPEED FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. *TR
04/09/2012 · Electrical system
BIKE WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN. ONCE RESTARTED IT WOULD IDLE AT APPROX 1500 RPM (LIMP MODE). THIS HAPPEN TWICE. THERE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, IDLE WAS STILL AROUND 1500 RPM. TALK TO THE DEALER ABOUT MY ISSUES. BEFORE I COULD FINISH MY LITTLE SPEECH, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ECM OR THE ATC PIN CONNECTORS. HE DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM TO ME. THEY HAVE FIXED THIS PR…
03/05/2012 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTI…