2008 Harley-Davidson Flhx problems

SERVICE BRAKES

after Harley Davidson performed the recall, the brakes are now lock up due to deposits in brake hydraulic control unit making the motorcycle unsafe to ride. they are stating this is not part of the recall, in the first paragraph of the recall it states that that is the problem that happens from the defective brake fluid. This is exactly why the recall is out there, they had me using defective brake fluid for 10 years before they release the new fluid in February of 2018. This a complete band aid fix from a manufacture if i have ever seen one.

NHTSA complaint #11728727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I hit my brakes and I felt the abs system kick in and after I let off the brakes the next time I attempted to use the rear brake the pedal was extremely hard to push and I had no braking power on the rear of the motorcycle.

NHTSA complaint #11502301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Motorcycle goes in to limp mode . No throttle response

NHTSA complaint #11430821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABS Module failed causing loss of all brakes on motorcycle. Brakes were working. Brought cycle to Harley Dealer for brake fluid flush as part of recall. Upon mechanic using Digitech to perform service it caused ABS module to fail. Because of failure motorcycle was left with zero brakes. Had to pay out of pocket for new ABS module. Due to design of module when it fails it causes brakes not to function leaving rider and other motorists at risk. I had to pay $641.61 out of pocket to remedy this failure that Harley Davidson was aware of.

NHTSA complaint #11423726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS Module failed causing loss of all brakes on motorcycle. Brakes were working. Brought cycle to Harley Dealer for brake fluid flush as part of recall. Upon mechanic using Digitech to perform service it caused ABS module to fail. Because of failure motorcycle was left with zero brakes. Had to pay out of pocket for new ABS module. Due to design of module when it fails it causes brakes not to function leaving rider and other motorists at risk. I had to pay $641.61 out of pocket to remedy this failure that Harley Davidson was aware of.

NHTSA complaint #11423726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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 PROBLEM ON LINE AND HAVE SEEMS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND IT'S BEING TRACED BAD PINS USED IN SOME OF THE CONNECTORS DURING THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11361012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 PROBLEM ON LINE AND HAVE SEEMS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND IT'S BEING TRACED BAD PINS USED IN SOME OF THE CONNECTORS DURING THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11361012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN RIDING THE THROTTLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. ON THE FREEWAY WHILE CHANGING LANES LOST MY THROTTLE IN FRONT OF CARS GOING 75 MPH THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA complaint #11355181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN RIDING THE THROTTLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. ON THE FREEWAY WHILE CHANGING LANES LOST MY THROTTLE IN FRONT OF CARS GOING 75 MPH THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA complaint #11355181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

REAR PEDAL BECAME TO HARD TO PRESS ABS MODULE FAIL WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA complaint #11203164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000(SERVICE BRAKES). THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO REDDING HARLEY-DAVIDSON (1268 TWINVIEW BLVD, REDDING, CA 96003) FOR SERVICE. AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE ABS INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA complaint #11075274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

RIDING MY FLHX THE OTHER DAY AND BIKE STARTED MAKING NOISE FROM MY PRIMARY AND I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED NOISE AND COMFIRMED IT WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE(PRIMARY). MADE IT HOME SAFE; WASN'T FAR FROM HOME. TOOK OFF THE PRIMARY COVER AND CHECKED OVER THE INNER PRIMARY COMPONENTS. THE COMPENSATOR AND ADJUSTER WERE BAD. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE AUTO-ADJUSTED CHAIN TENSIONER TIGHTENS SO BAD OVER TIME THAT IT RATCHETS ALL THE SPROKET PARTS DOWN SO BAD THAT IT STARTES TO CREATE WEAR ON COMPONENTS SO BAD THAT PARTS CAN BREAK LOOSE, LOCK UP, AND THE COMPONENTS IN MY YEAR FLHX ARE SEVERLY UNDER RATED. THIS COMPENSATOR WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE USED FOR ANYTHING BIGGER THAN AN 80 CUBIC INCH MOTOR; MY BIKE CAME STOCK WITH A 96 CUBIC INCH MOTOR. FLHX IS PAST ANY WARRANTY, BUT THIS IS AN INCREASING PROBLEM THAT HARLEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR AND BE MADE TO CORRECT IT. REPAIR IS GOING TO COST OVER $1000.00 FOR REPAIR FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE, ESPECIALLY FOR A MOTORCYCLE THAT IS SO POPULAR AND VASTLY SOLD ACCROSSED THE COUNTRY. IF THESE PARTS WERE TO LOCK UP WHILE RIDING, IT COULD CAUSE SEVER INJURY OR DEATH TO RIDER AND ANYONE AROUND THE BIKE DURING THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11022936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RIDING MY FLHX THE OTHER DAY AND BIKE STARTED MAKING NOISE FROM MY PRIMARY AND I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED NOISE AND COMFIRMED IT WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE(PRIMARY). MADE IT HOME SAFE; WASN'T FAR FROM HOME. TOOK OFF THE PRIMARY COVER AND CHECKED OVER THE INNER PRIMARY COMPONENTS. THE COMPENSATOR AND ADJUSTER WERE BAD. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE AUTO-ADJUSTED CHAIN TENSIONER TIGHTENS SO BAD OVER TIME THAT IT RATCHETS ALL THE SPROKET PARTS DOWN SO BAD THAT IT STARTES TO CREATE WEAR ON COMPONENTS SO BAD THAT PARTS CAN BREAK LOOSE, LOCK UP, AND THE COMPONENTS IN MY YEAR FLHX ARE SEVERLY UNDER RATED. THIS COMPENSATOR WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE USED FOR ANYTHING BIGGER THAN AN 80 CUBIC INCH MOTOR; MY BIKE CAME STOCK WITH A 96 CUBIC INCH MOTOR. FLHX IS PAST ANY WARRANTY, BUT THIS IS AN INCREASING PROBLEM THAT HARLEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR AND BE MADE TO CORRECT IT. REPAIR IS GOING TO COST OVER $1000.00 FOR REPAIR FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE, ESPECIALLY FOR A MOTORCYCLE THAT IS SO POPULAR AND VASTLY SOLD ACCROSSED THE COUNTRY. IF THESE PARTS WERE TO LOCK UP WHILE RIDING, IT COULD CAUSE SEVER INJURY OR DEATH TO RIDER AND ANYONE AROUND THE BIKE DURING THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11022936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

RIDING MY FLHX THE OTHER DAY AND BIKE STARTED MAKING NOISE FROM MY PRIMARY AND I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED NOISE AND COMFIRMED IT WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE(PRIMARY). MADE IT HOME SAFE; WASN'T FAR FROM HOME. TOOK OFF THE PRIMARY COVER AND CHECKED OVER THE INNER PRIMARY COMPONENTS. THE COMPENSATOR AND ADJUSTER WERE BAD. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE AUTO-ADJUSTED CHAIN TENSIONER TIGHTENS SO BAD OVER TIME THAT IT RATCHETS ALL THE SPROKET PARTS DOWN SO BAD THAT IT STARTES TO CREATE WEAR ON COMPONENTS SO BAD THAT PARTS CAN BREAK LOOSE, LOCK UP, AND THE COMPONENTS IN MY YEAR FLHX ARE SEVERLY UNDER RATED. THIS COMPENSATOR WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE USED FOR ANYTHING BIGGER THAN AN 80 CUBIC INCH MOTOR; MY BIKE CAME STOCK WITH A 96 CUBIC INCH MOTOR. FLHX IS PAST ANY WARRANTY, BUT THIS IS AN INCREASING PROBLEM THAT HARLEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR AND BE MADE TO CORRECT IT. REPAIR IS GOING TO COST OVER $1000.00 FOR REPAIR FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE, ESPECIALLY FOR A MOTORCYCLE THAT IS SO POPULAR AND VASTLY SOLD ACCROSSED THE COUNTRY. IF THESE PARTS WERE TO LOCK UP WHILE RIDING, IT COULD CAUSE SEVER INJURY OR DEATH TO RIDER AND ANYONE AROUND THE BIKE DURING THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11022936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

AFTER APPROX 15 MIN OF RIDING, THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR THE REAR BRAKE WILL DEPRESS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THERE WILL BE NO BRAKES. THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SQUEEZE AND ONLY APPLIES MINIMAL STOPPING ABILITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED THE LAST 3 TIMES I HAVE RIDDEN AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN A RED LIGHT THROUGH CROSS TRAFFIC. ONCE I GET THE BIKE HOME I CAN PUMP THE BRAKE AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY WORK PROPERLY AGAIN OR IF IT DOES NOT, IT WILL THE NEXT DAY.

NHTSA complaint #10885170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS HE TURNED LEFT, THE BRAKE FAILED, THE MOTORCYCLE FLIPPED OVER, AND THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED INTO THE DITCH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,135.

NHTSA complaint #10884079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 WITH IT

NHTSA complaint #10767595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE -- IMPROPER CLUTCH CABLE ROUTING RUBBED AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING A RUPTURE.

NHTSA complaint #10767403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I HAVE ACTUALLY 2 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE ENGINE I BOUGHT A 103 KIT IN MY HARLEY FROM THE FACTORY ... IN THE PAST YEAR I'VE NOTICED SOME ISSUES WITH STARTING ON TAKING IT INTO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THE ISSUE WAS INHERENT WITH THE 103 ENGINE THAT WAS LATER ADDRESSED WHICH THEY ADDED COMPRESSION RELEASE TO THE HEADS ... I AM OUT OF WARRANTY SO I WENT AHEAD WITH THIS FROM MY MECHANIC ... HOWEVER IN DOING SO HE HAD IT APART AND TOOK A LOOK AT THE COMPENSATOR AND PRIMARY BEARING ... BOTH OF WHICH WERE BAD ... I LOOK ON THE FORUMS AND IT APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE ... WHY WAS THIS NOT ADDRESSED AND RECALLED? BOTH ISSUES ARE PREVALENT FOR MY YEAR / MODEL ... OR ANY MODEL FOR THAT YEAR AND THAT ENGINE ...

NHTSA complaint #10701922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE COMPENSATOR IS AN ISSUE WITH HARLEY THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON 2007 AND 2008 TWIN CAM BIKES.

NHTSA complaint #10695057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHAT WE HAVE DISCOVERED IS THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET HAS EITHER WORKED LOOSE OR IS CRACKED, THIS IS WITHIN THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WHERE THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND PRIMARY FINAL DRIVE IS LOCATED, HARLEY KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS, AND IT COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVE TRAIN LOCKING UP IF THE ASSEMBLY LOCKS UP OR SOMETHING COMES LOOSE AND CAUSES SUCH AN EVENT IT COULD LOCK UP THE REAR WHEEL AND CAUSE A CRASH I KNOW OF A FEW PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, AND ALSO JUST FROM RESEARCH ONLINE THERE ARE A LOT OF MOTORCYCLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10671869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGH WAY AND WAS IN THE FAST LANE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY THROTTLE STOPPED RESPONDING AND I LOST POWER TO THE BIKE I THEN PULLED THE CLUTCH IN SO I DIDN'T COME TO SUDDEN STOP AND GET REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME AND I EASED OVER THE MEDIAN AND NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON SO I TURNED THE BIKE OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE LIGHT RETURNED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO THE HOUSE WITH LIMITED THROTTLE AND POWER AND CROSSING THE TWO LANES FOR TRAFFIC TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WAS THE SCARIEST THING I HAVE HAD TO DO ON A BIKE I WASN'T SURE WOULDN'T FAIL HALF WAY BETWEEN LANES SO IF THIS ISSUE COULD BE LOOKED INTO I THINK IT HAS POTENTIAL TO SAVE A LIFE AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE HAVING TO RIDE IN FEAR OF THIS TAKING PLACE AGAIN AND ITS BAD ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT TRAFFIC ITS SELF BUT TO ADD ANOTHER WORRY TO IT MAKES IT UNSAFE AND I FEEL THAT MORE LIVES ARE PUT AT RISK BECAUSE OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10566569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.