VehicleVerdict

2008 Harley-Davidson FLHX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 42 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.0 times the median FLHX year — the 2008 model ranks #1 of 19 FLHX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (9), electrical system (7), and speed control (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

42

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other FLHX years?

FLHX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted42 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 26 complaints2008: 42 complaints2009: 41 complaints2010: 33 complaints2011: 20 complaints2012: 16 complaints2013: 6 complaints2014: 8 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 6 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 11 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2024: 13 complaints2025: 5 complaints2026: 0 complaints
FLHX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FLHX years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes921%
Electrical System717%
Speed Control512%
Transmission410%
Engine410%
Fuel System410%
Tires & Wheels25%
Other25%
Seats12%
Suspension12%
Lighting12%
Body & Structure12%
Steering12%

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHX 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.

“2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE INVESTIGATION-- UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY WHEN ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. BRAKES WERE APPLIED MC SKIDDED AND LOST CONTROL AND I WAS EJECTED FROM THE MC. MC SUSTAINED ROLL OVER DAMAGE WHICH CONSISTED OF BROKEN FORKS, BROKEN FRONT FAIRING,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 2, 2016 · crash

“THROTTLE CUTS OFF. HARLEY DAVIDSON SINCE 2008 USES A CABLE LESS THROTTLE. FROM READING THE FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. THE THROTTLE WILL JUST STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF SENSOR FAILURE. THIS HAPPEN TO ME TODAY ON A SECONDARY ROAD. COULD NO EVEN IMAGINE THIS HAPPENING ON THE HIGHWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 26, 2011

“COMPLETE THROTTLE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ERROR CODES COLLECTED INDICATE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE RESPONSE FAILURE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. POSTINGS ON HD FORUMS INDICATE THE PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD ON HD MOTORCYCLES FROM 2008 FORWARD WITH AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 24, 2012

“I WAS IN A ROUNDABOUT WHEN I TRIED TO INCREASE MY SPEED BUT NO RESPONSE. THE BIKE WOULD STILL RUN SO I LIMPED HOME. EVER SANCE IT HAS SET TWO CODES THAY ARE P1510 AND P2138 WENT TO LOCAL DELER HE TOLD ME I WOULD HALF TO INSTALL A RACE TUNER I DIDNOT INSTALL A RACE TUNER . THAY ALSO TOLD ME TO LIVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 18, 2012

“WHILE RIDING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BIKE WENT INTO A 'LIMP' MODE ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 15-20 MPH. HAD TO CUT ACROSS TRAFFIC WITHOUT GETTING HIT TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED OFF BIKE AND IT RESET WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. RESEARCHED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 10, 2020

2008 Harley-Davidson FLHX — common questions

Is the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 42 complaints put the 2008 model at #1 of 19 FLHX years. It is one of the FLHX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 FLHX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (9 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), speed control (5 complaints).

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHX have recalls?

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

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

Which Harley-Davidson FLHX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the FLHX years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among FLHX years belongs to 2026.

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.