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FaultScore report

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhr problems

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhr with NHTSA between 2007 and 2018. The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Harley-Davidson Flhr All 2008 cars
F

FaultScore 81/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Harley-Davidson Flhr.

How this is worked out

The numbers

17

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries reported

11,300 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

94%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 61 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 61
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flhr. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
47.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
94% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2008 compares with every other Harley-Davidson Flhr

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhr

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Acceleration & Cruise Control 4 23.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 22,000 mi

Electrical System 3 17.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 15,282 mi

Engine & Cooling 3 17.6%

Median failure at 2,723 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 2 11.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 8,150 mi

Suspension 2 11.8%

Median failure at 9,500 miles

Brakes 2 11.8%

Median failure at 29,519 miles

Wheels 1 5.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 27,000 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 25.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 10 62.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 12.5%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Nov 2007 peak 3 Feb 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhr

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE16009 Opened 6 Jul 2016 Closed 23 Apr 2018 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

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 NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) conduct inspections and testing of affected vehicle braking systems.Through its work, VRTC determ...

PE08043 Opened 17 Jul 2008 Closed 8 Aug 2008 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

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.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 27,000 miles Nampa, ID Crash 1 injured

WHEELS

FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP AT 40 MPH AND THREW ME OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. WE BELIEVE THE CAUSE TO BE A DEFECTIVE FRONT WHEEL BEARING.

NHTSA complaint #10583618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,300 miles Brea, CA Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THROWING ME ONTO MY BACK FROM THE BIKE. THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUED APPROX. 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION ,GOING THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION WITHOUT A RIDER. I SUFFERED A SHATTERED RIGHT WRIST AND ROAD RASH ON THE ARMS AND BACK. I WAS FORTUNATE TO KEEP MY LIFE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS TOTALED AND FORTUNATELY DIDN'T DO ANY HARM TO ANYONE ELSE BUT ME.

NHTSA complaint #10555753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,300 miles Brea, CA Crash 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THROWING ME ONTO MY BACK FROM THE BIKE. THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUED APPROX. 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION ,GOING THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION WITHOUT A RIDER. I SUFFERED A SHATTERED RIGHT WRIST AND ROAD RASH ON THE ARMS AND BACK. I WAS FORTUNATE TO KEEP MY LIFE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS TOTALED AND FORTUNATELY DIDN'T DO ANY HARM TO ANYONE ELSE BUT ME.

NHTSA complaint #10555753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,300 miles Brea, CA Crash 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THROWING ME ONTO MY BACK FROM THE BIKE. THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUED APPROX. 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION ,GOING THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION WITHOUT A RIDER. I SUFFERED A SHATTERED RIGHT WRIST AND ROAD RASH ON THE ARMS AND BACK. I WAS FORTUNATE TO KEEP MY LIFE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS TOTALED AND FORTUNATELY DIDN'T DO ANY HARM TO ANYONE ELSE BUT ME.

NHTSA complaint #10555753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 21,038 miles Tucson, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES

MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE RECALL ON THE ABS BRAKES ON 2008 HD FLHR ROAD KING I TOWED MY MOTORCYCLE TO TUCSON HARLEY BECAUSE THE BACK BRAKE WOULDN'T WORK THEY TOLD ME DUE TO MAINTENANCE THE ABS MODULE IS BAD $800.00 PARTS ALONE I JUST BOUGHT THIS BIKE IN DEC USED I HAVEN'T PUT 50 MILES NO WAY TO CHECK MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN YOU BUY IT PRIVATE PARTY.THE RECALL SHOULD BE ON THE ABS MODULE BECAUSE THEY USED THE WRONG BRAKE FLUID, TO BEGIN WITH, THE PART ABS MODULE # 4688-08 IS THE PROBLEM IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET BLOGS IT ALSO SAYS DEAD MOTORCYCLE RIDERS CAN'T FILE A COMPLIANT

NHTSA complaint #11072402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles EL Dorado, KS

SERVICE BRAKES

SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKE; PEDAL GOES TO THE MAXIMUM LIMIT WITHOUT RESISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10627377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,000 miles Nampa, ID Crash 1 injured

WHEELS

FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP AT 40 MPH AND THREW ME OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. WE BELIEVE THE CAUSE TO BE A DEFECTIVE FRONT WHEEL BEARING.

NHTSA complaint #10583618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,300 miles Brea, CA Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THROWING ME ONTO MY BACK FROM THE BIKE. THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUED APPROX. 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION ,GOING THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION WITHOUT A RIDER. I SUFFERED A SHATTERED RIGHT WRIST AND ROAD RASH ON THE ARMS AND BACK. I WAS FORTUNATE TO KEEP MY LIFE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS TOTALED AND FORTUNATELY DIDN'T DO ANY HARM TO ANYONE ELSE BUT ME.

NHTSA complaint #10555753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,300 miles Brea, CA Crash 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THROWING ME ONTO MY BACK FROM THE BIKE. THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUED APPROX. 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION ,GOING THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION WITHOUT A RIDER. I SUFFERED A SHATTERED RIGHT WRIST AND ROAD RASH ON THE ARMS AND BACK. I WAS FORTUNATE TO KEEP MY LIFE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS TOTALED AND FORTUNATELY DIDN'T DO ANY HARM TO ANYONE ELSE BUT ME.

NHTSA complaint #10555753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,300 miles Brea, CA Crash 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS TRAVELING ON A SURFACE ROAD AT APPROX. 50MPH. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION OF EUCLID AND LAMBERT THE LIGHT STARTED TO CHANGE. I ROLLED ONTO THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION SAFELY. AS I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION I ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AT WHICH POINT THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION BY ITSELF. THE SUDDEN SURGE FORWARD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS, THROWING ME ONTO MY BACK FROM THE BIKE. THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUED APPROX. 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AT THE WIDE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION ,GOING THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION WITHOUT A RIDER. I SUFFERED A SHATTERED RIGHT WRIST AND ROAD RASH ON THE ARMS AND BACK. I WAS FORTUNATE TO KEEP MY LIFE. THE MOTORCYCLE IS TOTALED AND FORTUNATELY DIDN'T DO ANY HARM TO ANYONE ELSE BUT ME.

NHTSA complaint #10555753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,000 miles Lake Charles, LA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING FLHR MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA complaint #10537735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,300 miles Destin, FL

ENGINE

STOCK COMPENSATOR FAILED AT 12300 MILES. HD SUGGESTS REPLACING WITH UPGRADED SCREAMING EAGLE COMPENSATOR. HIGH SPEED FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #10511738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Mesa, AZ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BIKE WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN. ONCE RESTARTED IT WOULD IDLE AT APPROX 1500 RPM (LIMP MODE). THIS HAPPEN TWICE. THERE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, IDLE WAS STILL AROUND 1500 RPM. TALK TO THE DEALER ABOUT MY ISSUES. BEFORE I COULD FINISH MY LITTLE SPEECH, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ECM OR THE ATC PIN CONNECTORS. HE DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM TO ME. THEY HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN THAT PAST.

NHTSA complaint #10454567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Mesa, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BIKE WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN. ONCE RESTARTED IT WOULD IDLE AT APPROX 1500 RPM (LIMP MODE). THIS HAPPEN TWICE. THERE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, IDLE WAS STILL AROUND 1500 RPM. TALK TO THE DEALER ABOUT MY ISSUES. BEFORE I COULD FINISH MY LITTLE SPEECH, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ECM OR THE ATC PIN CONNECTORS. HE DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM TO ME. THEY HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN THAT PAST.

NHTSA complaint #10454567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Sulvester, GA

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10450322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Lebanon, NH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH,THE MOTORCYCLE DECELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE LUBRICANT WAS APPLIED TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONNECTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 03/14/12

NHTSA complaint #10443180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYLCE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RAPID ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, IT STARTED TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE OVER THE SPEED SET ON THE ELECTRICAL SPEED CONTROL. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS SET AT 50 MPH. HOWEVER, THE BIKE RACED UP TO 70 MPH ON ITS OWN. THE CRUISE CONTROL DID SHUT OF WHEN THE CONSUMER MANUALLY PRESSED THE SET SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTING WAS TURNED OFF, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. UPON RETURNING HOME, THE CONSUMER ATTACHED HIS HARLEY DAVIDSON EMC CODE READ TO THE BIKE WHICH GAVE HE A DIAGNOSTICS CODE NUMBER PO557 CRUISE CONTROL INPUT.

NHTSA complaint #10434594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,282 miles Westmont, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE FAILED, THROTTLE ONLY WORKS IN IDLE MODE. THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED, LAST TIME WAS A 400 HUNDRED DOLLAR TOW PLUS SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS IN HAULING COST. REPLACED TGS (THROTTLE GRIP SENSOR), TEMPORARILY FIXED FOR TWO MILES. THROTTLE WIRE LOOM NOT AVAILABLE FROM HARLEY, BACK ORDERED UNTIL 09/14/2010. KNOW FOR A FACT OF TWO OTHER '08 HD TOURING BIKE THIS HAPPENED ON.

NHTSA complaint #10354318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,000 miles Harahan, LA

SUSPENSION:REAR

WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 50- 70 MPH ON A LONG SWEEPING TURN, THE REAR END WILL BEGIN TO OSCILLATE. CAUSING A LACK OR LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10247642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,723 miles Spougheon, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A SERVICE STATION AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE PRIMARY CASE. THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE COMPENSATION BRACKETS IN THE PRIMARY CASE CAME OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALER THAT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THE BOLT WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED, AND THE INCORRECT LOCK TYPE WAS USED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,723 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,900.

NHTSA complaint #10236829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,880 miles Deatsville, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

FRONT CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FAILED ON MY 2008 H-D FLHRSE4 AT ONLY 1900 MILES RESULTING IN OIL LEAK. DEALER IS CHECKING BOTH CYLINDERS AND HEADS FOR WARPAGE PRIOR TO REPLACING GASKETS. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH THE 110 MOTORS AND IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE VARIOUS OWNER FORUMS.

NHTSA complaint #10208806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.