2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. 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 FLHTC.
- 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 FLHTC.
- 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
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (5), Transmission / drivetrain (3), Fuel system (3), Electrical system (3), Engine (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)
02/02/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO LIGHT AN ISSUE I HAVE RECENTLY HAD FOUND. I RIDE A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRAGLIDE. I ONLY HAVE 42000 MILES ON IT. LAST FALL I WAS COMING BACK FROM A MEMORIAL MISSION WITH THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS. I NOTICED A STRANGE RATTLE IN MY PRIMARY CASE AREA. I GOT HOME AND PARKED IT UNTIL I COULD OPEN IT UP TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. A…
11/01/2017 · Brakes
ON 10-19-2017 I WAS RIDING WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS ON OUR WAY TO A FELLOW BIKERS FUNERAL. WE WERE DOING ABOUT 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, AS WE APPROACHED OUR TURN I ATTEMPTED TO START BRAKING WITH MY BACK BRAKE. WHEN I TRYED TO PUSH THE BACK BRAKE PEDAL DOWN NOTHING HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!! THE PEDAL WAS FROZEN IN PLACE!!!!!!!!! I BROUGHT THE BIKE TO A FRIENDS AND…
12/21/2016 · Brakes
I TOOK MY BIKE OUT FOR A NICE RIDE AND NOTHING IN THE WAY OF A PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY WENT TO RIDE THE BIKE AND MY FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS AS HARD AS A ROCK I WENT TO STOP AND HAD NO FRONT BRAKE. WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION . I CHECKED FOR TROUBLE CODES IN THE MEMORY AND IT SHOWED NONE. TRIED TO BLEED THE FRONT BRAKES CRACKED THE BLEEDER AND LEVER MOVED FINE…
09/14/2016 · Brakes
I RECENTLY WAS RIDING WHEN THE FRONT BRAKE HANDLE ON THE BIKE STARTED TO VIBRATE. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I WENT THERE. SINCE IT WAS TIME TO DO SOME MAINTENANCE ON THE BIKE I ORDERED PARTS AND OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS CHANGED FLUIDS AND DID OTHER ITEMS INCLUDING REPLACING THE FRONT RIGHT HANDGRIP. AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE I STARTED THE BIKE AND DID…
07/18/2016 · Engine
COMPENSATOR IN PRIMARY WENT OUT WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES. UPON RESEARCH, IT IS FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO HARLEY, YET THEY HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING. THIS IS A MAJOR COST TO THE CONSUMER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY DANGEROUS!!! IF THIS GOES OUT WHILE YOU ARE RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, IT LOCKS THE BACK WHEEL AND PRIMARY ENGINE! NO TELLING HOW MANY DEATHS HAPPEN…
05/02/2016 · Brakes
FRONT BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. BRAKE LEVER BECAME ROCK HARD & WOULD NOT ACTIVATE THE FRONT BRAKES AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAD BENEFITTING A FEW DAYS. VERY SHOCKED WHEN I WENT TO USE THE FRONT BRAKES & THEY WOULD NOT WORK, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
08/24/2015 · Fuel system
MET FRIENDS AT QUAKER STEAK FOR A RIDE,STARTED BIKE,RAN FOR 10 SECONDS THEN DIED,FUEL FILTER HOUSING CRACKED,WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT DEALER STATED WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL,TO ME IT SHOULD BE,HAD TO BE TOWED AND THEN 52.00 IN PARTS WITH ME FIXIG MYSELF
04/23/2014 · Brakes
DRIVING MY HARLEY AT ABOUT 20-30 MPH PULLING UP TO RED LIGHT. GO TO HIT FRONT BRAKE. NOTHING. FRONT BRAKE IS COMPLETELY DISABLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT APPEARS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS FAULTY ABS MODULES AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST NOR PROBABLY THE LAST OF THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY COMPLAINT. *TR