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2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcuse3 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Jun 5, 2017
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhtcuse3, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine320.0%
  • Powertrain (other)320.0%
  • Brakes320.0%
  • Fuel system213.3%
  • Tires & wheels16.7%
  • Electrical16.7%
  • Other / unspecified16.7%
  • Suspension16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE PROBLEM IS WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON'S COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY. WHEN IT FAILS, IT CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THAT CAN BREAK TEETH IN THE STARTING GEAR, LEAVING RIDERS STRANDED. AT TIMES, IT CAN POSE A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IT CAUSES A BACKFIRE THAT SEND SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF THE ENGINE THAT WOULD HURT ANYONE STANDING NEARBY WHEN TRYING TO START THE BIKE. THIS IS THE FOURTH COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS HAD TO REPLACE IN MY MOTORCYCLE, AND A PROBLEM THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF, YET THEY WILL NOT DO A RECALL. A "RECALL" SHOULD BE ORDERED BECAUSE OF THE COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE EFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM, AND LACK OF PERMANENT SOLUTION FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON, EXPOSING PEOPLE TO BE AT RISK, AND TO BE STRANDED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10560368 · filed Jan 17, 2014

ON MARCH 2, 2013 WHILE DRIVING MY BIKE, THE THROTTLE CONTROL DISAPPEARED AND THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT, THEN ON JULY 7, 2013 IT STARTED ACTING UP AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, THE ON OCTOBER 3, 2013 WHILE DRIVING TO LAS VEGAS I WAS ON HIGHWAY 99 WHEN THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO SEMI TRUCKS WITH NO THROTTLE RESPONSE WITH MY WIFE ON THE BIKE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN BAKERSFIELD, THEY TOLD ME THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND REPAIRED IT AGAIN. NO ON NOVEMBER 1, 2013 IT'S STARTING TO ACT UP AGAIN. I HAVE READ ON THE HARLEY FORUMS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO TAKE OWNERSHIP AND ISSUE A RECALL. THE MECHANIC SAID THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WAS TO SHORT AND THE VIBRATION OF THE ENGINE IS CAUSING THE CONNECTOR TO FAIL. THE MECHANIC SAY THE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED AND REPLACED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, I'M HOPING YOU CAN LOOK NOT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10551580 · filed Nov 8, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE RIDING I LOST CLUTCH CONTROL, THROTTLE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, PULLED OVER IN SAFE SPOT AND LET BIKE COOL (90+ DEGREE DAY). AFTER COOLING I HAD ENOUGH CLUTCH CONTROL TO GET TO MY DESTINATION.

NHTSA ID 10891486 · filed Jul 28, 2016

THE PROBLEM IS WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON'S COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY. WHEN IT FAILS, IT CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THAT CAN BREAK TEETH IN THE STARTING GEAR, LEAVING RIDERS STRANDED. AT TIMES, IT CAN POSE A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IT CAUSES A BACKFIRE THAT SEND SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF THE ENGINE THAT WOULD HURT ANYONE STANDING NEARBY WHEN TRYING TO START THE BIKE. THIS IS THE FOURTH COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS HAD TO REPLACE IN MY MOTORCYCLE, AND A PROBLEM THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF, YET THEY WILL NOT DO A RECALL. A "RECALL" SHOULD BE ORDERED BECAUSE OF THE COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE EFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM, AND LACK OF PERMANENT SOLUTION FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON, EXPOSING PEOPLE TO BE AT RISK, AND TO BE STRANDED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10560368 · filed Jan 17, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKE FAILURE ON MULTIPLE INSTANCES, LUCKILY NO SERIOUS INJURY, BIKE DID FALL AND ANKLE WAS SPRAINED. ABS FAILURE LIGHT HAS COME ON/OFF NOW ON PERMANENT. BROUGHT IT TO LOCAL DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS BOTH TIMES I WAITED OVER 1.5 HOURS BEYOND APPOINTMENT TIME AND BIKE WAS NOT TOUCHED, HAD TO LEAVE. ALSO, I ASKED IF THERE ANY RECALLS OR TECHNICAL BULLETINS AND BOTH TIMES THE ANSWER WAS NO.

NHTSA ID 10993282 · filed Jun 5, 2017

I HAVE A 2008 HARLEY ELECTRA GLIDE.REAR BRAKES DO NOT WORK.PEDAL IS SOLID.THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ABS MODULE. I CONTACTED HARLEY THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE 1200 DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM.THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND POSIBLY DEADLY! I WAS ON ROADWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THANKFULLY I DID NOT CRASH.A

NHTSA ID 10981150 · filed Apr 27, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE RIDING AT APPROX 45 MPH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT OR WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER FOR REPAIR RESULT FUEL FILTER HOUSING O-RING CAME OUT AND LOST FUEL PRESSURE THIS IS THE 2ND TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10430288 · filed Oct 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUSE3 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF CARBON DIOXIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESUMED OPERATION TO HIS RESIDENCE; AFTER WAITING TWO HOURS DUE TO THE EXPOSURE OF THE CARBON DIOXIDE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V357000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS INSUFFICIENT AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE UNKNOWN SERVICE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ID 10329758 · filed May 10, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WISH TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DUNLOP D407F TIRES WHICH CAME OEM ON MY 2009 HARLEY FLHTCUSE4. MY TIRES STARTED EXPERIENCING SEVERE CUPPING AROUND 12K MILES AND HARLEY WOULD NOT COVER THEM UNDER ANY OF THEIR WARRANTIES. I HAD TO RIDE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON THIS DANGEROUS TIRE TO TRY TO GET IT REPLACED BY MY DEALER WHICH NEVER HAPPENED. THE TIRE NOW HAS 17K MILES ON IT WITH SEVERE CUPPING AND LESS THAN 3/32 OF TREAD IN THE BAD AREAS. THE GOOD SECTIONS OF THE TIRE (THE LEADING EDGE OF THE TREAD PATTERN) PROBABLY HAVE 15K MILES LEFT. I BELIEVE THE SEVERE BOUNCING OF THIS TIRE MAY HAVE CAUSED THE RADIO ON THE BIKE TO DIE. I BELIEVE DUNLOP HAS DISCONTINUED THIS TIRE AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS OF PRODUCTION BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HARLEY NOW USES THE D408F TIRE WHICH IS BASICALLY THE SAME TIRE WITH THE TREAD BACKWARDS. A CUPPING TIRE IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AROUND CORNERS AND IN RAIN AND I FEEL ADAMANT THAT THESE TIRES NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. HARLEY WILL NOT REPLACE THESE TIRES BECAUSE THEY GO BY PERCENT OF TREAD WEAR AT THE MOST WORE PART OF THE TREAD PATTERN, NOT BY THE LEAST WORE PART WHICH LOOKS BRAND NEW. *TR

NHTSA ID 10279271 · filed Aug 3, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON MARCH 2, 2013 WHILE DRIVING MY BIKE, THE THROTTLE CONTROL DISAPPEARED AND THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT, THEN ON JULY 7, 2013 IT STARTED ACTING UP AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, THE ON OCTOBER 3, 2013 WHILE DRIVING TO LAS VEGAS I WAS ON HIGHWAY 99 WHEN THE BIKE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO SEMI TRUCKS WITH NO THROTTLE RESPONSE WITH MY WIFE ON THE BIKE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN BAKERSFIELD, THEY TOLD ME THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND REPAIRED IT AGAIN. NO ON NOVEMBER 1, 2013 IT'S STARTING TO ACT UP AGAIN. I HAVE READ ON THE HARLEY FORUMS THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO TAKE OWNERSHIP AND ISSUE A RECALL. THE MECHANIC SAID THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WAS TO SHORT AND THE VIBRATION OF THE ENGINE IS CAUSING THE CONNECTOR TO FAIL. THE MECHANIC SAY THE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED AND REPLACED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, I'M HOPING YOU CAN LOOK NOT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10551580 · filed Nov 8, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC CVO - CLOSED AND SEALED FRONT AXEL BEARINGS OF MOTORCYCLE SIZED IN MOTION CAUSING $1,600.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO SAID MOTORCYCLE (ACCORDING TO HARLEY DAVIDSON FOLSOM). WITH NO WARNING AT ONLY 12,000 MILES. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE HOW BAD (IN TERMS OF INJURY) THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN IF IT HAPPENED AT SPEED. THIS IS CERTAINLY AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AND LEARNING THAT HD KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE WAS A SHOCK. HOW CAN SUCH A WELL KNOWN ORGANIZATION ALLOW THEIR CUSTOMERS TO BE PUT AT SUCH A SAFETY RISK. JUST DO A WEB SEARCH AND YOU SEE 100'S OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10576448 · filed Apr 1, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC CVO - CLOSED AND SEALED FRONT AXEL BEARINGS OF MOTORCYCLE SIZED IN MOTION CAUSING $1,600.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO SAID MOTORCYCLE (ACCORDING TO HARLEY DAVIDSON FOLSOM). WITH NO WARNING AT ONLY 12,000 MILES. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE HOW BAD (IN TERMS OF INJURY) THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN IF IT HAPPENED AT SPEED. THIS IS CERTAINLY AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AND LEARNING THAT HD KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE WAS A SHOCK. HOW CAN SUCH A WELL KNOWN ORGANIZATION ALLOW THEIR CUSTOMERS TO BE PUT AT SUCH A SAFETY RISK. JUST DO A WEB SEARCH AND YOU SEE 100'S OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10576448 · filed Apr 1, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .