2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcuse3 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 FLHTCUSE3.
- 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 FLHTCUSE3.
- 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
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcuse3 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (3), Transmission / drivetrain (3), Engine (3), Wheels / tires (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)
06/05/2017 · Brakes · crash
BRAKE FAILURE ON MULTIPLE INSTANCES, LUCKILY NO SERIOUS INJURY, BIKE DID FALL AND ANKLE WAS SPRAINED. ABS FAILURE LIGHT HAS COME ON/OFF NOW ON PERMANENT. BROUGHT IT TO LOCAL DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS BOTH TIMES I WAITED OVER 1.5 HOURS BEYOND APPOINTMENT TIME AND BIKE WAS NOT TOUCHED, HAD TO LEAVE. ALSO, I ASKED IF THERE ANY RECALLS OR TECHNICAL BULLETINS AND…
04/27/2017 · Brakes
I HAVE A 2008 HARLEY ELECTRA GLIDE.REAR BRAKES DO NOT WORK.PEDAL IS SOLID.THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ABS MODULE. I CONTACTED HARLEY THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE 1200 DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM.THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND POSIBLY DEADLY! I WAS ON ROADWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THANKFULLY I DID NOT CRASH.A
10/22/2016 · Brakes
DURING A PANIC STOP CAUSED BY AUTOMOBILE PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ME MY REAR BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO ITS DOWN STOP. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FRONT BRAKE REMAINING FUNCTIONAL. THERE WAS NO FLUID LOSS IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM LEADING TO THE EDUCATED (I'M AN ACTIVE FAA AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC) CONCLUSION THAT A BYPASS CONDITION EXISTS IN…
07/28/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHILE RIDING I LOST CLUTCH CONTROL, THROTTLE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, PULLED OVER IN SAFE SPOT AND LET BIKE COOL (90+ DEGREE DAY). AFTER COOLING I HAD ENOUGH CLUTCH CONTROL TO GET TO MY DESTINATION.
04/01/2014 · Suspension · crash
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC CVO - CLOSED AND SEALED FRONT AXEL BEARINGS OF MOTORCYCLE SIZED IN MOTION CAUSING $1,600.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO SAID MOTORCYCLE (ACCORDING TO HARLEY DAVIDSON FOLSOM). WITH NO WARNING AT ONLY 12,000 MILES. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE HOW BAD (IN TERMS OF INJURY) THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN IF IT HAPPENED AT SPEED. THIS IS CERTAINLY AN EXTRE…
01/17/2014 · Transmission / drivetrain · fire
THE PROBLEM IS WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON'S COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY. WHEN IT FAILS, IT CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THAT CAN BREAK TEETH IN THE STARTING GEAR, LEAVING RIDERS STRANDED. AT TIMES, IT CAN POSE A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IT CAUSES A BACKFIRE THAT SEND SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF THE ENGINE THAT WOULD HURT ANYONE STANDING NEARBY WHEN TRYING TO START TH…
11/08/2013 · Transmission / drivetrain
ON MARCH 2, 2013 WHILE DRIVING MY BIKE, THE THROTTLE CONTROL DISAPPEARED AND THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT, THEN ON JULY 7, 2013 IT STARTED ACTING UP AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, THE ON OCTOBER 3, 2013 WHILE DRIVING TO LAS VEGAS I WAS ON HIGHWAY 99 WHEN THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I WAS…
10/15/2011 · Fuel system
WHILE RIDING AT APPROX 45 MPH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT OR WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER FOR REPAIR RESULT FUEL FILTER HOUSING O-RING CAME OUT AND LOST FUEL PRESSURE THIS IS THE 2ND TIME. *TR