2008 Harley-Davidson Flhx Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhx, 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
- Brakes923.1%
- Electrical615.4%
- Driver assistance512.8%
- Powertrain (other)410.3%
- Engine410.3%
- Fuel system410.3%
- Other / unspecified25.1%
- Suspension12.6%
- Interior & seats12.6%
- Exterior lighting12.6%
- Steering12.6%
- Body & structure12.6%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *TR
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. I CAN NOT TO THIS DAY GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER FROM DEALER'S OR MECHANICS. I GUESS THIS IS ALL INCLUDED IN THE $22,000 I DISHED OUT.VERY VERY DANGEROUS. THERE ARE DEFINITE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE (FLY BY WIRE). *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
Motorcycle goes in to limp mode . No throttle response
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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, BROKEN FRONT WINDSCREEN, SCRATCHES TO THE LEFT SIDE, BROKEN LEFT SADDLEBAG, AND DENTS TO THE CRASH BAR RIDER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BROKEN BONES AND LACERATIONS.
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 BEARING WOULD MAKE WHEN IT IS STARTING TO FAIL.TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO THE HARLEY DEALER TOLD THEM ABOUT THE NOISES, THEY STATED THAT THOSE NOISES WHERE NOT THERE AND ANY NOISE I WAS HEARING WAS NORMAL AND THAT THERE TIME FOR CHECKING OUT THE BIKE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT CAME WITH THE BIKE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT FIND AND DEFECTED PARTS OR HEAR ANY STRANGE NOISES NOR DID THEY BOTHER TO TAKE OFF THE REAR WHEEL LIKE I REQUESTED NOT EVEN DID THEY TAKE THE TIME TO INSPECT THE REAR WHEEL. AND ON TOP OF IT ALL THEY WANT ME TO PAY $300.00 DOLLARS FOR 2 1/2 HOURS OF THERE TIME TO DO NOTHING TO THE MOTORCYCLE BUT TAKE IT FOR A TEST RIDE. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 BEARINGS WERE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 GUESS HARLEY SAVING MONEY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY. I CALLED H-D CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY SAID THEY WOLD ONLY REPLACE THE SEAT WITH ANOTHER ONE JUST LIKE IT. IS'NT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVFIDE A SAFE MOTORCYCLE, NOT ONE THAT THE SEAT FALLS OFF OF? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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, BROKEN FRONT WINDSCREEN, SCRATCHES TO THE LEFT SIDE, BROKEN LEFT SADDLEBAG, AND DENTS TO THE CRASH BAR RIDER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BROKEN BONES AND LACERATIONS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 GUESS HARLEY SAVING MONEY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY. I CALLED H-D CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY SAID THEY WOLD ONLY REPLACE THE SEAT WITH ANOTHER ONE JUST LIKE IT. IS'NT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVFIDE A SAFE MOTORCYCLE, NOT ONE THAT THE SEAT FALLS OFF OF? *TR
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .