FaultScore

FaultScore report

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu problems

Owners have filed 94 complaints about the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu with NHTSA between 2007 and 2022. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 5 worst.

F

FaultScore 88/100

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

94

Complaints

7

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

9

Injuries reported

26,064 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

68%

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 80 vs 50 Severity 93 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 80
Against the median year of the Harley-Davidson Flhtcu. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 93
18.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
68% 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 Flhtcu

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 Flhtcu

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

Brakes 36 38.3%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 35,551 mi

Median failure at 11,570 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 9 9.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 23,032 mi

Engine & Cooling 9 9.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 28,802 mi

Electrical System 6 6.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 11,570 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 4 4.3%

Median failure at 18,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 3 3.2%

Median failure at 54,500 miles

Wheels 3 3.2%

Median failure at 19,500 miles

Tires 3 3.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 22,500 mi

Suspension 3 3.2%

Median failure at 27,000 miles

Body & Structure 2 2.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 3,010 mi

Steering 2 2.1%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

Stability & Traction Control 1 1.1%

Median failure at 20,000 miles

Seats 1 1.1%

Median failure at 25,212 miles

When it fails

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

Under 1,000 miles 6 7.6%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 7 8.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 22 27.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 31 39.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 12 15.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 1.3%

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 6 Mar 2022

NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu

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.

Recalls on the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcu

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

18V076000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

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. Depo

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.

08V357000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

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

Vero Beach, FL 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ABS System failure causing brakes to fail

NHTSA complaint #11458977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vero Beach, FL 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABS System failure causing brakes to fail

NHTSA complaint #11458977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vero Beach, FL 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS System failure causing brakes to fail

NHTSA complaint #11458977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Summerville, SC Crash 2 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 down on the asphalt highway. This resulted in the rider and passenger sustaining injuries. The passenger received a Tramatic Brain Injury which a month and a half later she is still in recovery. The motorcycle has not yet been repaired or looked at by any Police or Technical personnel. There were no warnings or lights prior to the accident.

NHTSA complaint #11428227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Summerville, SC Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

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 down on the asphalt highway. This resulted in the rider and passenger sustaining injuries. The passenger received a Tramatic Brain Injury which a month and a half later she is still in recovery. The motorcycle has not yet been repaired or looked at by any Police or Technical personnel. There were no warnings or lights prior to the accident.

NHTSA complaint #11428227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Southbury, CT Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10903529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

Vero Beach, FL 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ABS System failure causing brakes to fail

NHTSA complaint #11458977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vero Beach, FL 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABS System failure causing brakes to fail

NHTSA complaint #11458977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vero Beach, FL 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS System failure causing brakes to fail

NHTSA complaint #11458977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Summerville, SC Crash 2 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 down on the asphalt highway. This resulted in the rider and passenger sustaining injuries. The passenger received a Tramatic Brain Injury which a month and a half later she is still in recovery. The motorcycle has not yet been repaired or looked at by any Police or Technical personnel. There were no warnings or lights prior to the accident.

NHTSA complaint #11428227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Summerville, SC Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

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 down on the asphalt highway. This resulted in the rider and passenger sustaining injuries. The passenger received a Tramatic Brain Injury which a month and a half later she is still in recovery. The motorcycle has not yet been repaired or looked at by any Police or Technical personnel. There were no warnings or lights prior to the accident.

NHTSA complaint #11428227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,080 miles Odenton, MD

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION NEAR MY HOME. I HAD TO STOP QUICKLY AS A CAR TURNED INTO MY LANE JUST A HEAD OF ME. I APPLIED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES OF MY MOTORCYCLE BUT THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER DID NOT MOVE AT ALL. IT WAS AS IF IT WAS FROZEN IN PLACE. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE FRONT BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW USING THE REAR BRAKE AND AVOIDED A COLLISION BY STEERING OUT OF THE WAY. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND INVESTIGATING, I FOUND THE ABS MODULE HAD FAILED. I ALSO FOUND THIS IS AN ISSUE KNOWN BY HARLEY DAVIDSON OF THEIR 2008-2014 MOTORCYCLES WITH ABS. THEIR SOLUTION, IS TO BLEED THE BRAKE FLUID EVERY TWO YEARS NO MATTER WHAT. I DO THAT MYSELF EVERY TWO YEARS. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IF I REPLACE THE ABS MODULE, AT SIGNIFICANT COST, THAT A FAILURE WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11322224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Evans, CO

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA FLHTCUI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREELEY HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND WILD WEST MOTORSPORTS, INC. LOCATED AT (3010 29TH ST, GREELEY, CO 80631 (970) 351-8150) TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED REFILLED WITH PLATINUM DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN SOUGHT PERMISSION FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO AUTHORIZE AN ADDITIONAL REPAIR HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO AUTHORIZE A SECOND REPAIR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT PART AND REPAIRED THE MOTORCYCLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11317570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles Gahanna, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE RIDING AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE REAR BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND WERE INOPERABLE. MOMENTS LATER, BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE MOTORCYCLE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTENNIAL PARK HARLEY-DAVIDSON (12477 E. BROAD ST SW, PATASKALA, OH) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC UNIT AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES) WITHOUT REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER AND HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA complaint #11256221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Kennett Square, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HANNUM'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON (1011 W BALTIMORE PIKE, MEDIA, PA 19063, (610) 566-5562) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA complaint #11186861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Chesnee, SC

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU (ULTRA CLASSIC). WHEN REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF GREENVILLE (30 CHROME DR, GREENVILLE, SC 296615) DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11183127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,000 miles Maastricht, THE Netherlands, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES

I,M LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS. OWNER OF A HARLEY DAVIDSON. MY STEEL REAR BRAKELINE WAS SANDED THROUGH.( RESULT NO BRAKE WHILE RIDING) I WENT TO MY DEALER IN BELGIUM, I REPORTED BY THE AFTERSALES MANAGER MR. ANDERSON HARLEY DAVIDSON BENELUX. I ASKED THEM TO TAKE ACTION. (SAFETY RESEARCH) I SENT A E-MAIL TO HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPANY. ( MILWAUKEE) NO REACTION. IN MY E-MAIL I ASK SEVERAL TO DO RESEARCH, I TOLD THEM THAT THEIR ARE RESPONSIBLE, TAKE CARE ABOUT SAFETY OF ALL ROAD USERS. ( NO REACTION. I WROTE THAT I TAKE RESPONSIBILTY AND I REPORT IT BY COMPETENT AUTHORITIES. I REPORT IT BY : N.H.T.S.A. ( COUNTRY OF MANUFACTERING), BELGIUM, OFFICE OF HOMOLOGATIE VAN VOERTUIGEN, NETHERLANDS, R.D.W. ( NATIONAL ROAD SECURITY) I HAVE THE BROKEN BRAKELINE IN MY POSSESSION. I OFFER THE BELGIUM OR DUTCH INSPECTION THIS BRAKELINE FOR A CHECK WHEN REQUIRED. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP. PLEASE INFORM ME.

NHTSA complaint #11123476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles Luther, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO SANDY'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORT CENTER (11940 N MAPLE ISLAND RD, FREMONT, MI 49412, (231) 924-3020) FOR SERVICING. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS BLEEDING THE BRAKE FLUID PER THE RECALL, THE ABS MODULE BECAME DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.

NHTSA complaint #11120388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,500 miles Deerfield, NH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

KNOWN DEFECT IN THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WIRING IS NOT BEING CORRECTED BY LOCAL DEALERS WHEN PROBLEM VEHICLES ARE PRESENTED FOR SERVICE. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS WARRANTED TO ENSURE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ALREADY IDENTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE IMPLEMENTED BEFORE MORE OPERATORS/RIDERS ARE PLACED IN DANGER. THIS DEFECT CAN BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AS THE MOTORCYCLE INSTANTLY REDUCES THE ENGINE POWER AVAILABLE WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE TO THE RIDER, WHICH CAN RESULT IN THE MOTORCYCLE FAILING TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SPEED TO MAINTAIN STABILITY IN A TURN. THIS SO-CALLED "LIMP MODE" CONTINUES UNTIL THE MOTORCYCLE IS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THIS "LIMP MODE" BEHAVIOR MAY IN AND OF ITSELF ALSO CAUSE A HAZARD TO BOTH THE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR AND NEARBY VEHICLES SHOULD THE FAILURE OCCUR WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS ON A ROADWAY WITH LIMITED OR NON-EXISTENT EMERGENCY OR BREAKDOWN AREAS. (A WEB SEARCH FOR "LIMP MODE HARLEY" RESULTS IN OVER 400,000 RESULTS, MOST OF WHICH WILL REFER TO THIS ISSUE.) TO HELP TECHNICIANS RESOLVE THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM NATURE OF THIS DESIGN ISSUE (BY REPLACING TERMINALS IN THE WIRING HARNESS WITH A MORE RESILIENT TYPE) THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED MULTIPLE THEORY AND DIAGNOSTICS PAPERS (TT418 IN 2009 AND TT418A IN 2011) DESCRIBING ACTIONS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. OF NOTE IS THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) WHICH IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM ARE UNIQUE AND CAN ONLY BE REMOVED FROM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) MANUALLY. MY MOTORCYCLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS EPISODES OF THIS FAILURE OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS. IN THE LATEST CASE, I ALMOST DROPPED THE BIKE LEAVING A PARKING LOT AS THE LIMP MODE KICKED IN. ALTHOUGH THE DTC CODES (P2135 AND P1511) WERE PRESENT IN THE ECM THE DEALER CHARGED ME FOR THEIR TECHNICIAN TIME WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE REPAIRS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED IN THE TT418A PAPER.

NHTSA complaint #11113923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Danielson, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS UNIT FAILED I HAVE NO REAR BRAKE ON THE MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA complaint #11102150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Calhoun, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

I RECEIVED A RECALL ON HD ULTRA CLASSIC 2008 ABS SYSTEM. HOWEVER ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE FRONT BRAKE FROZE UP AND BECAME NON-FUNCTIONAL RESULTING IN A VERY UNSAFE EXPERIENCE. WILL THIS RECALL COVER THIS OR AM I ON MY OWN TO PAY FOR THIS FAILURE? I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #11080216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,200 miles Metairie, LA

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL THE REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP WITH NO WARNING. LUCKILY I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE SKIDDING BIKE BEFORE I HIT THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I BROUGHT MY BIKE THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE CLAIM THE ABS MODULE IS BAD.NO ONE MENTIONED TO ME ABOUT THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11071740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Springfield, VA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1. SUDDEN THROTTLE LOST CONTROL, GET TO SHOULDER, TURNED BIKE OFF AND STARTED. RANDOMLY HAPPENED. 2. LAST YEAR I REPLACE ECU - IT'S OK OVER A YEAR AND NOW IT HAPPENED AGAIN. 3. I SEARCH IN INTERNET - MANY OWNER HAVE SAME ISSUES AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX. THE DEALER SERVICE CHARGE ME A LOT OF MONEY AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT SINCE WHEN IT'S IN THE SHOP THE BIKE SEEM TO BE OK. NOW THE ISSUE SEEM TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN 4. CODE P1511 AND P2135

NHTSA complaint #11055067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Wadsworth, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS LOCKED IN PLACE. LUCKILY THE REAR BRAKE STILL WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP. AFTER I STOPPED AND PULLED OVER I WAS ABLE TO GET THE BRAKE LEVER TO MOVE AGAIN. IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN ON THE NEXT ATTEMPT TO STOP SO I SLOWLY DROVE HOME USING ONLY THE REAR BRAKE. I HAVE BEEN RIDING BIKES FOR 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF IT HAS NOT CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS LIKE IT ALMOST DID FOR ME AND MY WIFE. THE ABS MODULE HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN USED ON ANY BIKE! ON TOP OF THAT THE DEALERSHIP WANTS AROUND $1200 TO FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11051676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117 miles Alexandria, VA

WHEELS

I AM CONTACTING YOU TO IMPLORE THAT YOU LOOK INTO THE POSSIBLE NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY OF THE HARLEY DAVIDSON 2008 TOURING MODELS. I HAVE NOW REPLACED PORTIONS OF MY REAR WHEEL ON MY 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCU THAT SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REPLACED AS OFTEN AS THEY HAVE. UPON RESEARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE RUBBER ISOLATORS INSIDE THE BOWL COMPENSATOR FAILING, THEREBY CAUSING THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE BOWL COMPENSATOR TO THE REAR WHEEL TO FAIL. THERE ARE 5 BOLTS AND ONCE THEY FAIL, THE MOTORCYCLE WILL BE LEFT WITHOUT POWER TO THE REAR WHEEL, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A CRASH. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS REDESIGNED THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY CONSIDERABLY FOR THE 2009 MODEL YEAR BY CREATING A ONE PIECE RUBBER ISOLATOR AND ELIMINATING THE BOWL COMPENSATOR COMPLETELY.

NHTSA complaint #11010505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Lapeer, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE EXPRESS WAY A CAR CHANGED LANES IN FRONT OF ME TO CLOSE FOR COMFORT. I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE REAR BRAKE BUT COULD NOT PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN. I SWERVED AND USED THE FRONT BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO CREATE SPACE BETWEEN MYSELF AND OTHER TRAFFIC. I CONTINUED HOME KNOWING I ONLY HAD FRONT BRAKES. ONCE HOME I ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT WOULD NOT MOVE. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON THE COMPUTER I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS SOMETIMES THE REAR BRAKE SOMETIMES THE FRONT BRAKE. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALERS FOR MAINTENANCE. WHAT FAILED WAS THE REAR ABS CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS THE SAME PART LISTED ONLINE BY MANY AS FAILING. ONE WEEK AFTER TAKING THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON INFORMING ME THAT MY MOTORCYCLE CONTAINED DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID AND THAT IT WAS REQUIRED TO BE CHANGED EVERY TWO YEARS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FAILURE. I HAVE OWNED THIS BIKE SINCE NEW, 2008, AND NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HARLEY BEFORE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE ABS MODULE THAT HAD FAILED AND ORDERED ONE. THE PART THAT WAS ON MY BIKE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. (I AM ASSUMING BECAUSE HARLEY KNOWS THEY ARE NO GOOD). THE NEW PART THAT IT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH WILL NOT WORK ON MY MOTORCYCLE UNLESS I PURCHASE A NEW ELECTRONIC ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT ALSO WHICH IS IN EXCESS OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. WHEN THE ABS BRAKES FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY, THEY FAILED IN A MANNER THAT I HAD NO BRAKES. NOT JUST NO ABS BUT NO BRAKES ON THE REAR SYSTEM WHAT SO EVER. ALTHOUGH HARLEY DAVIDSON KNOWS THAT THIS PART WAS DEFECTIVE, AS IT WAS DISCONTINUED AND REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PART, THEY BLAME THE CONSUMER BY SAYING THE BRAKE FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED OFTEN ENOUGH. THIS WAS NOT A GRADUAL FAILURE BUT SUDDEN. THEY WORKED FINE THAT MORNING. THE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES COULD BE FATAL.

NHTSA complaint #11003513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Palm Coast, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HARD TO PULL. I KNEW FROM OTHER RIDERS EXPERIENCES WITH THIS THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM). MY HARLEY CERTIFIED MECHANIC VERIFIED THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD GONE BAD. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ABS MODULE WAS OBSOLETE AND THERE WAS NO REPLACEMENT. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO HARLEY CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS GIVEN TWO PART NUMBERS THAT SHOULD WORK ON MY MOTORCYCLE. MY MECHANIC HAS TO DETERMINE WHICH TYPE OF ABS IS ON MY MOTORCYCLE AND THEN I HAVE TO FIND A DEALER THAT CAN GET THE PERT. THE MOTORCYCLE IS STILL OPERABLE BUT IT IS QUESTIONABLE WHETHER OR NOR THE ABS IS WORKING. ALSO WITH THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER VERY HARD TO PULL IT CERTAINLY LEADS TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT THIS CONDITION SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY THE MANUFACTURER AND SINCE IT INVOLVES CONTROL AND BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE MERITED A SAFETY RECALL OR AT THE VERY LEAST A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. IF I AM ABLE TO LOCATE THE CORRECT ABS MODULE IT WILL COST ME $373.71 - $ 481.73 PLUS LABOR COSTS OF INSTALLATION. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT IS GARAGE KEPT AND SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE WARNED ME OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE REPLACED A CRITICAL PART THEY KNEW WAS GOING TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #10967954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,900 miles Indianapolis, IN

SERVICE BRAKES

ON CITY STREET APPLIED FRONT BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE TURN AND LEVER WAS ROCK SOLID. NO FRONT BRAKE AT ALL. ABS LIGHT WAS NOT ON. REAR BRAKE WORKED. DEALER SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER ABS MODULE FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON BECAUSE HARLEY DAVIDSON NEEDED THE OLD ONE TO INSPECT. BIKE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WAITING ON NEW PART.

NHTSA complaint #10955504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Dunedin, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

REAR BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP- NO REAR BRAKES- ABS MODULE FAILED-VALVE NOT LETTING BRAKE FLUID TO GET TO REAR BRAKE CALIPER-DANGEROUS SITUATION. WORKED FINE ON THE WAY TO RESTAURANT. CAME OUT TO LEAVE AND NO REAR BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10940087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,716 miles Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, DC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

AT THE END OF AUGUST 2016, I WAS RIDING MY 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON AND WITHOUT WARNING, MY REAR BRAKE FAILED. THANK GOD, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, NOT ON THE MAIN STREET. I TOOK IT DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT TOOK OVER TWO HOURS OF LABOR TO FIGURE OUT THAT IT WAS THE ABS UNIT THAT FAILED. EVEN THE TECHNICIAN WAS SURPRISED THAT THE ABS LIGHT NEVER LIT TO INDICATE A FAILURE. I FOUND IT STRANGE THAT ABS FAILURE WILL DISABLE THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAD AN ABS FAILURE ON A CAR BEFORE AND BOTH SYSTEM ARE INDEPENDENT. I AM A CANADIAN, AND I DID REPORT TO TRANSPORT CANADA THE ABS UNIT ITSELF IS $1000, WITH LABOR AND MISC PARTS, THE BILL CAME OVER $1800. IT TOOK OVER A MONTH TO GET MY MOTORCYCLE BACK, THE ABS PART WAS ON BACK ORDERED. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

NHTSA complaint #10917014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,064 miles Ransom, KY

POWER TRAIN

COMPENSATOR SPROCKET ASSEMBLY IS MAKING A LOUD BANGING NOISE ON START UP AND WORSE WHEN ENGINE IS HOT

NHTSA complaint #10910971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.