VehicleVerdict

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrc problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrc — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

13

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Flhrc years?

Flhrc NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted19 complaints2007: 19 complaints2008: 13 complaints2009: 18 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 0 complaints
Flhrc NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flhrc years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrc problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes215%
Electrical System215%
Speed Control215%
Steering215%
Transmission215%
Engine18%
Fuel System18%
Other18%

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrc have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V076000BrakesJanuary 29, 2018 · 174,636 units

Defect

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 Owner’s 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.

08V357000Fuel SystemJuly 30, 2008 · 47,579 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH, I ENCOUNTERED A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I APPLIED MY FOOT OPERATED REAR BRAKE FIRST AND FOUND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. ONLY AFTER I APPLIED MY FRONT HAND BRAKE COULD I GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO DISENGAGE. THIS IS A VERY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 21, 2013

“MY HARLEY DAVIDSON 2008 ROAD KING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND HARLEY DAVIDSON CAN'T SEEN TO OFFER A SOLUTION. THE ERROR CODE IS PO577 AND HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. I'VE HAD IT IN 3 TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS. NO FIXES. IN TO THE DEALER TWICE UNDER WARRANTY ONE TIME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 16, 2010

“MY 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC WITH CRUISE CONTROL PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN HANDS ARE TAKEN OFF THE HANDLE BARS. THE BIKE ONLY HAS 3400 MILES ON IT AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE FIRST MONTH I HAD IT FOR THIS PROBLEM. NO FIX FOUND AND NOW THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR 6 WEEKS WITH NO FIX. IF YOU…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 31, 2008

“REAR BRAKE SWITCH WIRING MELTED. BRAKE SWITCH BEGAN LEAKING PROFUSELY. DEALER SAYS BRAKE FLUID EXCHANGE RECALLED FOR YEAR. THE SWITCH WAS NOT. HOWEVER, FORUMS SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE EXHAUST HEADER HEAT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE SWITCH HAS BEEN REDESIGNED. I HAVE ONE ORDERED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 2, 2018

“THE GEAR SHIFT AND HEAL-TOE SHIFT LEVERS FELL OFF THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 75 MPH, LEAVING NO MECHANISM FOR CHANGING GEARS. I HAVE RECEIVED ANECDOTAL INFORMATION FROM MANY OTHER RIDERS OF HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES THAT THE LOSS OF THE HEAL-TOE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 22, 2013

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrc — common questions

Is the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrc reliable?

The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 Flhrc problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (2 complaints), brakes (2 complaints), speed control (2 complaints).

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrc have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrc. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrc under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.