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 pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v076000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
The worst 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission2
- Brakes1
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission2
- Brakes1
- Engine1
Recalls 2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- 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 Owners Manual.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 18V076000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 08V357000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT
Defect investigations
Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation in July 2016 based on forty-three (43) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).During the course of this investigation ODI received a total of 145 VOQs related to the alleged defect on the subject motorcycles.Owners allege they experience a sudden and complete loss of brakes on one or both wheels.To better understand the cause of the braking issue on the subject motorcycles, ODI requested the federal safety agency's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determined that deposits were forming on the valves in the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of the Antilock Braking System (ABS). These deposits could prevent the proper function of the HCU and render the brakes ineffective.To understand why deposits were forming in the HCU, Harley Davidson completed an analysis of the Dow 460 brake fluid used as original equipment on the subject motorcycles and determined that it had stability issues if left in the brake system for an extended period of time.Harley Davidson found that if a brake fluid flush was not conducted as outlined in the owner?s manual for the motorcycles, and was left in the system for a period of time beyond their recommendation; deposits could form in the HCU.Through further testing, Harley Davidson identified an alternate, commercially available, brake fluid that did not have the same stability issues as the original fluid and could stop the proliferation of any current brake system deposits.ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to Harley Davidson and Dow Chemical (the supplier of the brake fluid on the subject motorcycles) to collect information about the subject bikes and the alleged defect.Harley Davidson responded in full on Sept 30, 2016 and Dow responded with a confidential submission on October 25, 2017.ODI analyzed the information contained in both IR responses and concluded that motorcycles manufactured during Model Years (MY) 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 were failing at a rate greater than their peers.Based on this analysis and the brake fluid study conducted by Harley Davidson, a group of motorcycles was identified that were potentially affected by the instability of the original brake fluid.2008 marked the introduction of ABS on Harley Davidson motorcycles and a change in the Dow 460 brake fluid used in the 2012 MY vehicles provided the bases for the scope of the affected population.With recall action 18V‑076 taken by Harley Davidson this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.
PE16009
Motorcycle stalling
The subject fuel filter housing (p/n 62229-08) cracks, resulting in sudden engine stall due to unregulated fuel pressure.harley-davidson has modified the housing with a new part number 62229-08a.shortly after opening this pe, odi received harley's defect notification indicating that the subject vehicles were being recalled to install the new fuel filter housing.with that recall, received prior to release of our information request, this investigation is concluded.
PE08043
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT 11
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Battery warranty guidelines
- Market specific battery introduction
- Milwaukee eight and twin cam camshaft drive gear retention kit changes
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Genuine motor parts and motor accessories bulletin PAB1158: oil filter packaging and case quantity update
- Digital technician II - updates and release notes
- Milwaukee-eight and twin cam transmission gear packs.
- Genuine motor parts and motor accessories bulletin PAB1146: 68193-95 bulb wedge, fender tip lamp.
- Milwaukee-eight and twin cam transmission gear packs.
- Milwaukee-eight and twin cam transmission gear packs.
What 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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. Neither harley manufacturing or local district representative seems to be concerned about failure. Dealer is limited to a factory repair for there is no alternate bearing for repair. Shop repaired bike and installed new bearing and associated parts to correct complaint. Parts installed have not been updated so I probably will have the same concern in another 24,000 miles. When I discussed this with harley manufacturing. I was told that harley keeps track of complaints like this but could not give consumer any indication as to when or how many complaints, and even if fatality or injury would result from sudden catastrophic failure, that harley would get serious in correcting failing bearing in drive train. So as to safety I guess it is just a gamble as to how long this repair will last and hopefully I will get a growling noise next time also to for warn operator of impending failure...
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 vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and the current mileage was 31,000..updated11/19/12 *bf updated 11/20/2012
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. This is not from touching the pipes or head it is from normal riding .
Compare the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT
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Questions about the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT
Is the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT, 1.3 times a typical FLHT model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints. Next is brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHT have?
2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and fuel system, gasoline.
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