2008 Harley-Davidson Flht problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Service Brakes (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2018-01-29 · campaign 18V076000 · 174,636 vehicles
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
Risk: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Service bulletins (11)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-16 · M1684 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1684: market specific battery introduction. purpose: initial release. this bulletin informs dealers of the availability of new batteries for new original equipment (oe) vehicle production and in the parts and accessories (p&a) catalog. availability of the new absorbed glass mat (ag
Vehicle Speed Control 2025-01-24 · M1650 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1650: milwaukee eight and twin cam camshaft drive gear retention kit changes. purpose: this bulletin informs dealers that changes have been made to the camshaft drive gear retention kit and service proceduresfor the milwaukee-eight and twin cam applications. in an effort to increas
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · M1555 · Warranty Program/Extension
service bulletin m1555 (rev e): battery warranty guidelines. purpose: revision e. added: added procedures for the dca-8000 e battery tester.* updated: all sections. this bulletin informs the dealership network that harley-davidson has provided guidelines for battery warranty.
Unknown Or Other 2024-08-08 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 24.8.8): digital technician ii - updates and release notes. purpose: this bulletin informs dealers that harley-davidson has made a software update to digital technician ii (dt ii). digital technician ii (part number: hd-48650). version 24.8.8. release date: week of august 5
Unknown Or Other 2024-07-10 · PAB1158 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
genuine motor parts and motor accessories bulletin pab1158: oil filter packaging and case quantity update. purpose: to inform dealerships that harley-davidson has made updates to oil filters including new part numbers, packaging design, and bulk case quantity changes.
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-01 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 24.6.4): digital technician ii - updates and release notes. purpose: revision. this bulletin informs dealers that harley-davidson has made a software update to digital technician ii (dt ii). digital technician ii (part number: hd-48650). version 24.6.4. release date: week
Showing the 6 most recent of 11 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-03-01 · Service Brakes · 56,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 harley-davidson electra glide flht. while approaching a stop sign and depressing the brake pedal, the brake failed to engage. the contact was able to coast to the side of the road. the vehicle was towed to timms harley-davidson (4110 clemson blvd, anderson, sc 29621, (864) 224-1531) where it was diagnosed that the abs pu…”
2013-06-20 · Power Train · 24,000 mi“growling noise from a bad bearing in primary. had bike at a harley shop where bike was purchased to be inspected for complaint. found primary bearing failed. no other failure. was told failure no fault of owner. contacted harley davidson and received a reference number for tracking. harley has a issue with bearings, both in primary and transmission…”
2012-08-27 · Power Train · 31,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 harley davidson flht motorcycle. the contact was driving 40 mph when he heard a rolling noise coming form the shifter. the contact later discovered that a metal component had fallen and detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they needed to replace the rotor stator assembly. the veh…”
2007-11-08 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System · 175 mi“2008 harley davidson electraglide the back cylinder head and exhaust are so hot as to cause blisters on legs during normal riding. this is a continuing problem even after purchasing heat shields and installation from the dealership. the motorcycle design is flawed. i have had blisters on 4 separate occasions now to the inside and back of my legs. t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.