2008 Harley-Davidson Flhp

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 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: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ using the complaint identification numbers attached to this resume.

AFTER RECENT BRAKE FLUID RECALL AND A FEW DAYS OF RIDING, ON MY WAY HOME AT A STOP THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER DIDN'T RELEASE AS USUAL. AT THE NEXT STOP THE BRAKES WOULDN'T FULLY DISENGAGE, THIS MADE IT SO THE BIKE COULD BARELY MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER. THE FRONT BRAKES ARE LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE BIKE TO ROLL FORWARD. AFTER SITTING FOR A DAY OR SO THE BRAKES LOOSEN UP, AS SOON AS THE BIKE IS STARTED THE FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP AGAIN. THE ABS LIGHT IS NOW ON. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE DEALERSHIP THINKS IT IS THE HCU UNIT, BUT IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING.

NHTSA ID

11096405

Incident

May 11, 2018

Mileage

77,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHP STREET GLIDE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE HAND BRAKES TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE MOTORCYCLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

NHTSA ID

10884300

Incident

Jun 30, 2016

Mileage

38,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS MOTORCYCLE ON 1/17/2014. ON 1/18/2014 I TOOK THIS VEHICLE FOR A RIDE. THE FRONT BRAKES OPERATED BUT HAD VERY LITTLE DEFLECTION OR MOVEMENT FROM THE BRAKE LEVER. THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO PULL. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. I CONTINUED TO RIDE THE VEHICLE AND I NOTICED THAT NOT ONLY WERE THE BRAKES HARD TO ENGAGE, THEY ALSO WOULD NOT HOLD AT RED LIGHTS. I THEN BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE HMU HAD A STICKING VALVE AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE TUNE OF $1200.00. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS ON THESE MOTORCYCLES WAS SUPPOSED TO FEEL LIKE A NORMAL BRAKING SYSTEM AND HAD A FAILSAFE IN PLACE THAT INSURED THAT IF SOMETHING WENT WRONG IT WOULD RESORT TO A SAFE MODE AND THE BRAKES WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. IN THIS CASE THEY ARE NOT ACTING NORMAL AND I DESCRIBE IT IN THIS MANOR. IF YOU HAVE EVER SHOT A HAND GUN, THE TRIGGER PULL IS APPROXIMATELY13 POUNDS OF PULL. MY FROM BRAKE LEVER IS APPROXIMATELY 60 POUNDS OF PULL AND IT WILL CREEP TOWARDS THE GRIP AT A RED LIGHT. AFTER A MINUTE OF BEING STOPPED AND HOLDING THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER, THE FRONT BRAKES ARE NONEXISTENT. I HAVE DONE INTERNET RESEARCH AND MY FINDINGS ARE THAT THIS MALFUNCTION IS VERY COMMON AND DOES POSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO THOSE THAT EXPERIENCE IT. I WAS ALSO AMAZED THAT MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS HAVE SUFFERED MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. FRONT BRAKES THAT LOCK UP AND CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. I'M REPORTING THIS BASED UPON THE SEVERITY AND THAT IT CAN CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE LEADING TO A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10578439

Incident

Feb 1, 2013

Mileage

78,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SPENCER BOWMAN CUSTOMS HIGH ROLLER CHOPPER HT MOTORCYCLE (NA). WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE FRAME FRACTURED ON THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 1,200. UPDATED 05/05/09

NHTSA ID

10264076

Incident

Mar 28, 2009

Mileage

1,200 mi

I AM IN RECEIPT OF A RECALL NOTICE FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE COMPANY REGARDING A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE FUEL FILTER HOUSING, THE FAILURE OF WHICH "COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH WOULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER." IN CONTACTING THE SERVICING DEALER, I AM INFORMED THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DATE WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE ADDING THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS SHIPPING SPORADICALLY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISE THEY HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL RECALL, HENCE THERE WAS PRIOR NOTICE OF FAILURE AND THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE ACTED TO INSURE ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF NECESSARY PARTS. IN FACT, MOTORCYCLES AT RISK DATE TO MID-2007. AS THIS IS MY PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION AND THERE IS NO WAY OF DETERMINING PRIOR TO FAILURE THAT YOUR PARTICULAR MOTORCYCLE IS AT RISK, THIS FAILURE TO SUPPLY ADEQUATE PARTS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND GROSSLY NEGLIGENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10237581

Incident

Jul 31, 2008

SERVICE BULLETIN M1684: MARKET SPECIFIC BATTERY INTRODUCTION. PURPOSE: Initial Release. This bulletin informs dealers of the availability of new batteries for new Original Equipment (OE) vehicle production and in the Parts and Accessories (P&A) catalog. Availability of the new Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries will vary by market and will be transitioning over the next few months. NOTE: The ring terminal screws are not compatible between Leoch and East Penn batteries. The new batteries will include new ring terminal screws, which must be used. The ring terminal screws from the old battery need to be discarded.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1650: MILWAUKEE EIGHT AND TWIN CAM CAMSHAFT DRIVE GEAR RETENTION KIT CHANGES. PURPOSE: This bulletin informs dealers that changes have been made to the Camshaft Drive Gear Retention Kit and service proceduresfor the Milwaukee-Eight and Twin Cam applications. In an effort to increase the clamp load of the camshaft drive sprocket bolted joint and prevent the drive bolt from loosening in high lift camshaft applications, the following changes have been made: a. The camshaft drive bolt final torque has been increased to 40 ft-lbs (54 N·m) for all Milwaukee-Eight and certain Twin Cams models. See Vehicles Affected. This increase in torque will make the bolt a one time use application. Never re-use a camshaft drive bolt for service after tightening to the increased specification. See service manual for updated procedure. b. A new camshaft drive gear retention kit (Part No. 91800088) has been created. This new kit is compatible with all Milwaukee-Eight and Twin Cam engines using Parts and Accessories (P&A) camshaft and Original Equipment (OE) camshaft applications. See Instruction sheet for specific fitment on Twin Cam OE camshaft applications. The new kit utilizes friction washers to prevent unwanted rotation of components in the drive sprocket bolted joint under stress. The use of liquid threadlocker on the threads of the bolt and pre-lube to the head of the bolt flange and outside of the washer help the bolt reach full stretch when tightening. NOTE: Engines produced at all Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) plants will not come with the new kits installed. They will continue to be produced with (Part No. 25566-06).

SERVICE BULLETIN M1555 (REV E): BATTERY WARRANTY GUIDELINES. PURPOSE: Revision E. Added: Added procedures for the DCA-8000 E Battery Tester.* Updated: All sections. This bulletin informs the dealership network that Harley-Davidson has provided guidelines for battery warranty.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 24.8.8): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 24.8.8. Release Date: Week of August 5, 2024. New Features for Harley-Davidson vehicles: Advanced Module Replace for 2021 and later Revolution Max; 2023 and later CVO Touring; and 2024 Street Glide (FLHX), Road Glide (FLTRX). New Features for LiveWire vehicles: Updated calibrations for 2024 S2DM EV1/ EV6; 2024 S2MH EV1; and 2024 S2DM, S2MH. Changes: Added Hand Control Module (HCM) (Part No. 71500522A and 71500536A) for reflash support.

GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND MOTOR ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1158: OIL FILTER PACKAGING AND CASE QUANTITY UPDATE. PURPOSE: To inform dealerships that Harley-Davidson has made updates to oil filters including new part numbers, packaging design, and bulk case quantity changes.

SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 24.6.4): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). Version 24.6.4. Release Date: Week of May 1, 2024. New Features for LiveWire S2DM and S2MH, 2024 Revolution® Max, and 2024 Touring.