VehicleVerdict

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc — 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.

17

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Flhtc years?

Flhtc NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted23 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints1989: 3 complaints1990: 2 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 8 complaints1995: 6 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 3 complaints1999: 7 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 8 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 2 complaints2005: 3 complaints2007: 16 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 23 complaints2010: 9 complaints2011: 4 complaints2012: 3 complaints2013: 3 complaints
Flhtc NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flhtc years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes529%
Electrical System318%
Fuel System318%
Transmission318%
Engine212%
Suspension16%

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc 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.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 23, 2014

“THROTTLE GAVE OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE. STOPPED AND REMOVED HAND GRIP AND MOVED THE ELECTRONIC PART AND REPLACED HAND GRIP. THROTTLE WAS THE OK, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 MORE OCCASIONS ON AUGUST 31ST AND SEPTEMBER 1ST, I DID THE SAME TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LUCKILY I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 22, 2013

“THROTTLE GAVE OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE. STOPPED AND REMOVED HAND GRIP AND MOVED THE ELECTRONIC PART AND REPLACED HAND GRIP. THROTTLE WAS THE OK, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 MORE OCCASIONS ON AUGUST 31ST AND SEPTEMBER 1ST, I DID THE SAME TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LUCKILY I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 22, 2013

“BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING THE BIKE TO SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN TO ABOUT 15 MPH. CAUSE WAS FRETTING OF THROTTLE BODY WIRING CONNECTOR PINS. FACTORY HAS KNOWN OF PROBLEM AND HAS A TCB OUT ON ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN RIDING ON HIGHWAYS. COMPANY NEED TO HAVE RECALL BUT THEY WON'T. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 19, 2012

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 11, 2016

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc — common questions

Is the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc reliable?

The record is thin — 17 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 Flhtc problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), transmission (3 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtc. 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 Flhtc 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.