VehicleVerdict

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 94 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 18.8 times the median Flhtcu year — the 2008 model ranks #1 of 17 Flhtcu years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 36 reports (38% of the total).

94

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Flhtcu years?

Flhtcu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted94 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 5 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 0 complaints2007: 58 complaints2008: 94 complaints2009: 88 complaints2010: 43 complaints2011: 6 complaints2013: 7 complaints2014: 10 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 1 complaints2019: 1 complaints
Flhtcu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Flhtcu years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3638%
Fuel System1213%
Transmission910%
Engine910%
Electrical System77%
Tires & Wheels66%
Speed Control44%
Other33%
Suspension33%
Steering22%
Body & Structure22%
Seats11%

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu 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.

“VEHICLE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. I APPLIED MY REAR BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I ATTEMPTED THE REAR BRAKES AGAIN, AND STILL, NOTHING. I THEN APPLIED MY FRONT BRAKES, THIS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, AND WE CRASHED. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 22, 2016 · crash

“2008 ULTRA CLASSIC ELECTRA GLIDE HARLEY DAVIDSON. GAS TANK LINING PEALED OFF INSIDE THE TANK RESULTING IN SHEDDING FUEL FILTERS, LINE, PUMP, INJECTORS. ALL PARTS INSIDE THE TANK HAND TO BE REPLACED. $1800 WORTH OF PARTS PLUS THE TANK HAD TO BE BLASTED AND RECOATED $600. POWER WOULD CUT OUT WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 6, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE CARBURETOR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED; HOWEVER, THEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 12, 2012 · fire

“OUT FOR AN AFTERNOON RIDE WITH FRIENDS ON MY 08 ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC. WHILE ENTERING A LEFT CURVE, THE THROTTLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSED THE BIKE TO SPEED UP UNEXPECTEDLY AND DRIFT RIGHT. TRIED RETARDING THE THROTTLE AND GOT NO RESPONSE. DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND APPLIED REAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 19, 2008 · crash

“I was riding my motorcycle with a group of bikes and had to make an emergency stop. When the brakes were applied, as directed in the owners manual, the ABS failed and caused the rear tire to lock and skid. The resulting skid caused a loss of control of the motorcycle and ultimately laying the bike…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 27, 2021 · crash

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu — common questions

Is the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 94 complaints put the 2008 model at #1 of 17 Flhtcu years. It is one of the Flhtcu years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Flhtcu problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (36 complaints), fuel system (12 complaints), transmission (9 complaints).

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu. 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 Flhtcu under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Harley-Davidson Flhtcu years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Flhtcu years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2007, 2010. The cleanest record among Flhtcu years belongs to 1998.

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.