2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Compare to Other Years
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 ...
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.
Motorcycle goes in to limp mode . No throttle response
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 o...
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 o...
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 ...
Mileage: 31,000
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 ...
Mileage: 31,000
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!
Mileage: 52,000
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!
Mileage: 52,000
REAR PEDAL BECAME TO HARD TO PRESS ABS MODULE FAIL WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY
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 I...
Mileage: 68,000
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 A...
Mileage: 25,000
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 A...
Mileage: 25,000
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 A...
Mileage: 25,000
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE INVESTIGATION-- UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY WHEN ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. BRAKES WERE APPLIED MC SKIDDED AND LOST CONTROL AND I WAS EJECTED FROM THE MC. MC SUSTAINED ROLL OVER DAMAGE WHICH CONSISTED OF BROKEN FORKS, BROKEN FRONT FAIRING, BROK...
Mileage: 24,000
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE INVESTIGATION-- UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY WHEN ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. BRAKES WERE APPLIED MC SKIDDED AND LOST CONTROL AND I WAS EJECTED FROM THE MC. MC SUSTAINED ROLL OVER DAMAGE WHICH CONSISTED OF BROKEN FORKS, BROKEN FRONT FAIRING, BROK...
Mileage: 24,000
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE INVESTIGATION-- UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY WHEN ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. BRAKES WERE APPLIED MC SKIDDED AND LOST CONTROL AND I WAS EJECTED FROM THE MC. MC SUSTAINED ROLL OVER DAMAGE WHICH CONSISTED OF BROKEN FORKS, BROKEN FRONT FAIRING, BROK...
Mileage: 24,000
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 RE...
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...
Mileage: 32,135
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...
Mileage: 10,000
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE -- IMPROPER CLUTCH CABLE ROUTING RUBBED AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING A RUPTURE.
Mileage: 59,000
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 RELE...
Mileage: 26,523
THE COMPENSATOR IS AN ISSUE WITH HARLEY THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ON 2007 AND 2008 TWIN CAM BIKES. *TR
Mileage: 35,000
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 LOC...
Mileage: 37,000
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...
Mileage: 30,123
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...
Mileage: 30,123
WHILE DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY AT AROUND 60 MPH I WENT TO PASS A CAR AND WHILE IN THE OTHER LANE PASSING I LOST ALL THROTTLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN RIDING MOTORCYCLES FOR 40+ YEARS AND CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO AN INEXPERIENCED RIDER. ...
Mileage: 30,000
WHILE DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY AT AROUND 60 MPH I WENT TO PASS A CAR AND WHILE IN THE OTHER LANE PASSING I LOST ALL THROTTLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN RIDING MOTORCYCLES FOR 40+ YEARS AND CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO AN INEXPERIENCED RIDER. ...
Mileage: 30,000
INSTALLED LED HEADLIGHT AND PASSING LIGHTS. HEADLIGHT FAILED IN HIGH AND LOW BEAM MODES AT NIGHT. RECHECKED INSTALLATION AND HAD FAILURES TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. UNIT COMPLETELY FAILED ON DECEMBER 2, 2012. MILEAGE ON UNIT WAS LESS THAN 1000 MILES. *TR
Mileage: 24,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY FLHX MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOSE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2012, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE WHEEL...
Mileage: 11,000
COMPLETE THROTTLE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ERROR CODES COLLECTED INDICATE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE RESPONSE FAILURE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. POSTINGS ON HD FORUMS INDICATE THE PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD ON HD MOTORCYCLES FROM 2008 FORWARD WITH AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SY...
Mileage: 20,000
COMPLETE THROTTLE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ERROR CODES COLLECTED INDICATE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE RESPONSE FAILURE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. POSTINGS ON HD FORUMS INDICATE THE PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD ON HD MOTORCYCLES FROM 2008 FORWARD WITH AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SY...
Mileage: 20,000
THROTTLE CUTS OFF. HARLEY DAVIDSON SINCE 2008 USES A CABLE LESS THROTTLE. FROM READING THE FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. THE THROTTLE WILL JUST STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF SENSOR FAILURE. THIS HAPPEN TO ME TODAY ON A SECONDARY ROAD. COULD NO EVEN IMAGINE THIS HAPPENING ON THE HIGHWAY AT...
Mileage: 13,200
2008 HARLEY FLHX, WHILE TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEEDS THE VEHICLE LOSES THROTTLE CONTROL, THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING JUST NO THROTTLE RESPONSE 'FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE', THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ECM, THROTTLE BOD...
FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE ON TOURING AND CRUISER HARLEY-DAVIDSONS BEGINS TO REV / RACE WITHOUT EVEN TURNING THE HANDLE. HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY ONCE IT BEGINS. PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS DURING TURNS AND STARTING OUT IN TRAFFIC. HAS OCCURRED ON MY MOTORCYCLE ABOUT 15 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK. 3 TIMES IT ALMOS...
Mileage: 24,000
FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE ON TOURING AND CRUISER HARLEY-DAVIDSONS BEGINS TO REV / RACE WITHOUT EVEN TURNING THE HANDLE. HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY ONCE IT BEGINS. PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS DURING TURNS AND STARTING OUT IN TRAFFIC. HAS OCCURRED ON MY MOTORCYCLE ABOUT 15 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK. 3 TIMES IT ALMOS...
Mileage: 24,000
I PURCHASED A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE IN AUGUST OF 2008. ALL WAS GREAT UNTIL JUNE 2009 A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE 5000 MILE SERVICE. I WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND IT SIMPLY SHUT OFF, AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES IT RESTARTED. I LET IT GO THINKING IT WAS JUST A FLUKE, BUT AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS ...
Mileage: 5,500
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE FLHX NOTICED NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AT LOWER SPEEDS AROUND TOWN HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT PRODUCES A HOWLING / WHINING NOISE. AND AT LOWER AROUND TOWN IT PRODUCES A CLICKING NOISE .TYPICAL NOISES THAT A FATIGUED WHEEL BEARIN...
Mileage: 2,100
THE SEAT ON MY 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX BROKE AT HE REAR BRACKET. THE BRACKET IS HELD ON TO THE SEAT BY PLASTIC TABS, WHICH BROKE. THE SEAT SLID REARWARD UNDER ACCELERATION, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THESE BRACKETS USED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT WITH TWO BOLTS, BUT I GUE...
Mileage: 2,000
THE SEAT ON MY 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX BROKE AT HE REAR BRACKET. THE BRACKET IS HELD ON TO THE SEAT BY PLASTIC TABS, WHICH BROKE. THE SEAT SLID REARWARD UNDER ACCELERATION, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THESE BRACKETS USED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT WITH TWO BOLTS, BUT I GUE...
Mileage: 2,000
WHILE RIDING MY 2008 STREET GLIDE I WOULD LOSE ALL RESPONSE ON THE THROTTLE, WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL THE THROTTLE RANDOMLY BEGAN TO RESPOND. WHILE ON THIS PARTICULAR TRIP THE BIKE REPEATED THIS AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES. THE BIKE IS BEING TRAILER TO THE DEALER...
Mileage: 2,400
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP) IN JULY OF 2008. HE CALLED THE DEALER ON AUGUST 4,2008 TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. ...
Mileage: 8,030