2008 Harley-Davidson Flhrse4

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.

RIDING VEHICLE WHEN SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR. HD HAS REVISED THIS ASSEMBLY, BUT IT IS STILL PROBLEMATIC. SEARCH RESULTS ARE LOADED WITH OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. HD KNOWS ABOUT IT AND HAS ISSUED A TSB ON IT, BUT HAS DONE NOTHING IN THE ORDER OF A RECALL FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

10789686

Incident

Nov 7, 2015

Mileage

11,650 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 H-D FLHRSE4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THAT THE FUEL TANK O-RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ID

10654814

Incident

Nov 2, 2014

Mileage

13,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE SADDLE BAG FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE RETAINING PINS WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,500.

NHTSA ID

10294244

Incident

Nov 19, 2009

Mileage

8,500 mi

I WAS OPERATING MY 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHRSE4 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE THROTTLE BY WIRE CUT OUT IN TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND EACH TIME, THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED FOR REPAIR. EACH TIME, THE SERVICE DEPT. STATED THE ISSUE WAS FIXED, ONLY TO OCCUR AGAIN DURING A FUTURE RIDE. APPARENTLY, THE THROTTLE BY WIRE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE EVER SINCE HARLEY DAVIDSON STARTED USING IT IN THEIR MOTORCYCLES. MY 3RD AND LAST INCIDENT I HAD, I WAS TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC, AND MY THROTTLE CUT OUT TO IDLE, AND THEN CAME ON FULL THROTTLE WHILE I WAS MOVING WITH TRAFFIC, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE REAREND OF A PICKUP TRUCK, AND CRASH MY MOTORCYCLE. I PULLED OVER AFTER AVOIDING THE COLLISION, AND SHUT THE MOTORCYCLE DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES. UPON STARTING IT BACK UP, THE MOTORCYCLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE, AND SINCE I WAS CLOSE TO THE HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP, I RODE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SLOWLY ON BACK STREETS. UPON REACHING THE DEALERSHIP, THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT WAS ON, AND MY BUTTERFLY VALVE ON THE BIKE WAS FLUTTERING VIOLENTLY DUE TO SOME SORT OF SHORT IN THE THROTTLE SYSTEM. MY BIKE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SERVICE DEPT. AWAITING A LOOK BY AN "EXPERT" FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. I HAVE OWNED THIS MOTORCYCLE A TOTAL OF 13 MONTHS NOW, AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM, FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS TOTAL. ACCORDING THE DEALERSHIP, A DIFFERENT PART HAS FAILED THIS TIME, BUT I KNOW THAT THE THROTTLE BY WIRE IS THE CULPRIT DUE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND REPEAT FUNCTION ISSUES. THIS ISSUE HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE SUDDEN DROP IN ACCELERATION, AND CUTTING OUT. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPT. IF I WAS THE FIRST WITH THIS PROBLEM, THEY TOLD ME OF AT LEAST 20 OTHER 2008 OR NEWER H-D MOTORCYCLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE THROTTLE BY WIRE/ FLY BY WIRE ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10282699

Incident

Aug 24, 2009

Mileage

434 mi

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.