RoadVitals

2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr 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.
14
Latest Aug 9, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr, 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

  • Brakes847.1%
  • Body & structure211.8%
  • Electrical15.9%
  • Engine15.9%
  • Fuel system15.9%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%
  • Steering15.9%
  • Visibility15.9%
  • Driver assistance15.9%

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.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE RIDING ON 3/31/2018 I WAS APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT AND BEGAN MY DOWN SHIFTING AND BRAKING. I STEPPED ON THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS LITTLE RESISTANCE, I PUMPED THE PEDAL AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME RESULT. I THEN PUMPED THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES NOTING SAME RESULT AS PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP USING MY FRONT BRAKE. WE PULLED OFF INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND ONE OF TWO WIRES (RED) ON THE REAR BRAKELITE SWITCH SENSOR HAD MELTED OFF FROM THE SWITCH AN WAS LYING NEXT TO THE SWITCH SENSOR AND FLUID HAD LEAKED/SPRAYED OUT COVERING THE SURROUNDING AREA. LOOKING MORE CLOSELY, I FOUND THAT THE BRASS TERMINAL POST OF THE SWITCH HAD MELTED OFF THE SWITCH HOUSING AND WAS STILL LODGED WITHIN THE WIRE CONNECTOR. I RECALLED THIS HAPPENING TO A RELATIVE A FEW YEARS AGO AND IN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE THROUGH FORUMS AND GENERAL ONLINE RESEARCH, I FOUND THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND EVEN A RECALL (HARLEY DAVIDSON RECALL 0145) WHICH ONLY COVERED 2009-2011. THIS SAFETY ISSUE OBVIOUSLY APPLIES TO THE 2008 MODEL FLTRI AS WELL AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.

NHTSA ID 11193282 · filed Apr 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTR. WHILE DRIVING 5-65 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FORT WORTH HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 3025 W LOOP 820 S, FORT WORTH, TX 76116, (817) 717-4325) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) BY EMAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT CALLED TO DETERMINE THE RECALL SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID 11071624 · filed Feb 7, 2018
All 8 reports naming brakes

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD/FOOTBOARD MOUNTING BOLT IS PRONE TO SHEER OFF. THIS EJECTS THE 10-15 POUND PART FROM THE MOTORCYCLE CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND EVEN THOUGH THE PART WAS REDESIGNED IN 2010 TO INCLUDE 2 MOUNTING BOLTS THE HARLEY DAVIDSON CORPORATION HAS DENIED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EARLIER SINGLE MOUNT BOLT DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10531932 · filed Jul 26, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SHOWS DOUBLE IMAGES. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, HE WILL SEE TWO VEHICLES AND TWO LINES ON THE ROAD INSTEAD OF ONE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S HEIGHT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE ENGINE SIZE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

NHTSA ID 10213426 · filed Jan 2, 2008

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

2008 FLTR HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE TWICE WENT TO FORCED IDLE MODE WHILE OPERATING. DTC CODES P1511 AND P2135 WERE SET. HARLEY HAS ISSUED TT 418 NOV 3, 2009, TO ADDRESS THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON THROTTLE BY WIRE BIKES 2008 - 2011. DEALER COMPLIANCE ON TT 418 WEAK. BIKE CUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC IS OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. RECALL IS NEEDED TO REPLACE POORLY DESIGNED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ON TCA (THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR). *KB

NHTSA ID 10416580 · filed Aug 1, 2011

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE (FLTR). WHILE RIDING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACTED PULLED OVER, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND RESUMED NORMAL RIDING. WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO BAER SPORT CENTER HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND POLARIS (330 GRANDVIEW AVE, HONESDALE, PA 18431, (570) 253-2000) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE PLUGS ON THE THROTTLE BODY. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OTHER UNKNOWN HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11242860 · filed Aug 9, 2019

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES WITH THE THROTTLE BY WIRE WILL GO INTO A LIMP HOME MODE. THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE ACCELERATING AND THE MOTOR BASICALLY SHUTS DOWN AND GOES TO JUST ABOVE AN IDLE SPEED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE THROTTLE BY WIRE IS FAILING. YOU COULD BE ACCELERATING TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC, ACROSS TRAFFIC OR TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE THROTTLE FAILS AND GOES INTO LIMP HOME MODE AND SLOWS YOU TO A TOP SPEED OF 15 MPH IN 1ST GEAR. IN 6TH GEAR I COULD ONLY DO 40 MPH. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND HARLEY KNOWS THEY ARE FAILING. THIS IS A RECALL OFFENSE. THEY HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH I AM ATTACHING A LINK TO FOR YOU. HTTP://WWW.SCRIBD.COM/DOC/55139820/2008-LATER-TOURING-TT418-1 I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF PEOPLE HAVE DIED TRYING TO MANEUVER INTO OR ACROSS TRAFFIC ONLY TO HAVE THEIR MOTORCYCLE STOP ACCELERATING AND ACTUALLY SLOW DOWN. AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION! THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND I FIGURED IT WAS A COMPUTER BLIP. THANK GOD I WAS NOT IN A DANGEROUS SPOT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I SHUT THE BIKE OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WORKED CORRECTLY FOR THREE MONTHS. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES TODAY. I LIMPED FOR 10 MILES OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON TO KEEP FROM GETTING REARENDED. I FINALLY SEARCHED FORUMS ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. BIG ENOUGH THAT HARLEY HAS A SERVICE REPORT ON IT. HOW ABOUT A RECALL ON IT? *TR

NHTSA ID 10422522 · filed Aug 29, 2011

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE (FLTR). WHILE RIDING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACTED PULLED OVER, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND RESUMED NORMAL RIDING. WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO BAER SPORT CENTER HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND POLARIS (330 GRANDVIEW AVE, HONESDALE, PA 18431, (570) 253-2000) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE PLUGS ON THE THROTTLE BODY. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OTHER UNKNOWN HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11242860 · filed Aug 9, 2019

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTR ROAD GLIDE. WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND FOUND NO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE ISSUED. THEY ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS HANDS SHOULD BE ON THE HANDLE BARS AT ALL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA ID 10209532 · filed Nov 20, 2007

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SHOWS DOUBLE IMAGES. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, HE WILL SEE TWO VEHICLES AND TWO LINES ON THE ROAD INSTEAD OF ONE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S HEIGHT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE ENGINE SIZE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

NHTSA ID 10213426 · filed Jan 2, 2008

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTR. WHILE DRIVING 5-65 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FORT WORTH HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 3025 W LOOP 820 S, FORT WORTH, TX 76116, (817) 717-4325) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) BY EMAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT CALLED TO DETERMINE THE RECALL SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID 11071624 · filed Feb 7, 2018

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 .