RoadVitals

2008 Harley-Davidson Fxdc

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
6
Latest Dec 9, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 20, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Harley-Davidson Fxdc, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes222.2%
  • Electrical222.2%
  • Fuel system222.2%
  • Exterior lighting111.1%
  • Other / unspecified111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

Nov 20, 2007
538 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES BUILT AND SHIPPED TO CALIFORNIA, THE CATALYTIC MUFFLER PROTECTIVE HEAT SHIELD WAS NOT INSTALLED. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW DIRECT CONTACT WITH THIS MUFFLER AND CAUSE INJURY.
The risk: IF CONTACT OCCURS WHILE RIDING, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE HEAT SHIELDS TO THE MUFFLERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 0133View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE08043ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

MOTORCYCLE STALLING

Opened Jul 17, 2008
Closed Aug 8, 2008

THE SUBJECT FUEL FILTER HOUSING (P/N 62229-08) CRACKS, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ENGINE STALL DUE TO UNREGULATED FUEL PRESSURE.HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAS MODIFIED THE HOUSING WITH A NEW PART NUMBER 62229-08A.SHORTLY AFTER OPENING THIS PE, ODI RECEIVED HARLEY'S DEFECT NOTIFICATION INDICATING THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE BEING RECALLED TO INSTALL THE NEW FUEL FILTER HOUSING.WITH THAT RECALL, RECEIVED PRIOR TO RELEASE OF OUR INFORMATION REQUEST, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CONCLUDED.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERYLed to recall 08V357000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Dec 9, 2024
Fire reported

The rear brake light switch failed. Yes it is available for inspection - I’ll hold onto the part after repair. My safety was put at risk when the switch failed causing a leak in brake fluid and a loss of pressure in the pedal. Losing my rear break functionality entirely. Then the leaking brake fluid went into the electrical connections on the switch and caught on fire. Not confirmed by a dealer but has happened on other Harley models and been recalled before just not for this model of bike. Not inspected by any of the listed. No warning notifications I just hit the pedal one day and it went completely soft then burst into flames.

NHTSA ID
11629572
Incident
Dec 8, 2024
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 18, 2014

MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT NOISE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND REAR WHEEL BEGAN LOSING TREAD AT ALARMING RATE. AFTER PROPPING THE MOTORCYCLE UP AND REMOVING THE REAR WHEEL TO REPLACE THE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAD BEGUN TO DETERIORATE. LEFT SIDE BEARING WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE AND THE RIGHT SIDE BEARING SHOWED SIGNS OF RUST AND DAMAGE. REPLACE BOTH BEARING WITH FACTORY NEW AND REPLACED TIRE. 8000 MILES LATER THE REAR TIRE AGAIN BEGAN TO LOOSE TREAD. REMOVED AND REPLACE TIRE A SECOND TIME AND REPLACED BACK ONTO MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT CHANGING BEARINGS. AT APPROXIMATELY 26,000 MILES THE MOTORCYCLE AGAIN BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE NOISE AND VIBRATION. AGAIN REMOVED TIRE AND INSPECTED WHEEL BEARINGS. FOR A SECOND TIME THE BEARINGS WERE BOTH DAMAGED AND THE RIGHT SIDE THIS TIME SHOWED EXTREME LOSS OF BEARING COMPONENTS. CHECKED REMAINDER OF ALL DRIVE COMPONENTS FROM THE FORK TO THE PRIMARY AND FOUND NO OTHER PROBLEMS. AGAIN PURCHASED NEW BEARINGS. AFTER EXTINCTIVE INTERNET SEARCH, MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF BEARING PROBLEMS FROM CHANGE BY MOCO FROM A TAPERED TYPE TO A SEALED BEARING ON ALL FOUR WHEELS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10614587
Incident
Jul 30, 2010
Mileage
18,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 10, 2011
Fire reported

CRUISING AT 40 MPH AND APPLIED REAR AND FRONT BRAKES. THERE WAS NO TENSION WHEN APPLIED CONTINUED A QUARTER MILE AND TURNED ONTO STREET OF MY HOUSE APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO REAR BRAKE RESPONSE. UPON STOPPING IN MY DRIVEWAY USING THE FRONT BRAKES, I GOT OFF THE BIKE AND THERE WAS A FIRE AT THE REAR BRAKE RELAY SWITCH AND BRAKE LINE. I HAD TO PUT OUT THIS FIRE AND BRAKE FLUID CONTINUED TO LEAK. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT, THE RELAY SWITCH IS 1 INCH FROM THE EXHAUST AND BELIEVE THIS WAS PART OF THE FAILURE THE HEAT SOURCE BEING SO CLOSE. I ALSO NOTICED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD A SMALL LEAK AROUND THE SEAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10412541
Incident
Jul 9, 2011
Mileage
12,950 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2011

THE GAS GAUGE FAILED THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS PART HAS FAILED ON MY MOTORCYCLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN JULY 2009 WHICH THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE GAUGE GIVES FALSE READINGS, IT WILL SHOW FULL AND VARIOUS OTHER READINGS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. FOR EXAMPLE I FILLED THE TANK AND IT READ FULL THEN 10 MILES LATER IT WENT TO EMPTY AND SHOWED REMAINING MILES TO EMPTY AS 25. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND HARLEY DAVIDSON STILL HASN'T COME UP WITH A FIX.

NHTSA ID
10412540
Incident
Jun 3, 2011
Mileage
12,639 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 8, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROCKER FXCW MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BOLTS SUPPORTING THE DRIVE SPROCKETS TO THE REAR WHEEL COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE HUB. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

NHTSA ID
10335234
Incident
Apr 26, 2010
Mileage
1,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 20, 2008

2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES. THE PLASTIC FUEL FILTER HOUSING HAS PLASTIC LATCHES THAT ATTACH IT TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THE LATCHES ARE BREAKING ON HUNDREDS OF 2008 MOTORCYCLES, TO THE POINT THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACKORDER FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. I HAVE A 2008 FLHX 105 ANNIVERSARY STREET GLIDE, WHICH IS NOT LISTED IN YOUR DROP DOWN FOR VEHICLE MODEL... WHEN THE PART FAILS THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STOPS RUNNING DUE TO LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE. THIS OF COURSE IS DISASTROUS WHEN MERGING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, GOING UP BRIDGES, ETC. THERE ARE MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS ON HDFORUM.COM ALSO ON HDFORUMS.COM LOOK AT HTTP://WWW.HDFORUMS.COM/M_3507391/TM.HTM, AND HTTP://WWW.HDFORUMS.COM/M_3517184/TM.HTM, JUST TO MENTION A FEW. HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERS ARE SAYING THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I SPOKE TO HARLEY DAVIDSON YESTERDAY 414-343-4056. THE GUY I SPOKE WITH WOULD NOT AGREE WITH ME THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED, BUT DID AGREE IT HAS A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING IT'S LATCHES TO BREAK THUS CAUSING THE BIKE'S FUEL SYSTEM TO SUDDENLY DEPRESSURIZE. THIS OF COURSE STOPS THE BIKE IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I WONDER WHO OUT THERE HAS PULLED OUT IN PLENTY OF TIME TO MERGE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE BIKE SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING THUS RESULTING IN THERE DEATH. RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT WOULD OF COURSE READ: "HE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME", "I DIDN'T SEE HIM".....AFTER ALL WE DON'T DO AUTOPSY'S ON MOTORCYCLES, EVEN SO THE PLASTIC PART WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLY BEEN BROKEN AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, RIGHT! SO WHO WOULD KNOW THE REAL CAUSE OF DEATH. MANY OF US ARE STILL WAITING ON THE PART TO COME OFF OF BACKORDER WHILE OUR MOTORCYCLES SIT AT THE DEALERSHIPS AND WE CONTINUE TO PAY THE NOTE. NOT TO MENTION THE COUNTLESS OTHER RIDERS WHO ARE UNAWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10231701
Incident
Jun 13, 2008
Mileage
5,700 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

M1684

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

M1650

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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).

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

PAB1158

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN

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.

M1490

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

M1612

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE BULLETIN M1612 (REV A): MILWAUKEE-EIGHT AND TWIN CAM TRANSMISSION GEAR PACKS. Purpose: Revision. Update: Notes for Table 3 and 4. * Updated: Part Numbers. This bulletin informs dealers that all: Twin Cam gear packs on CVO, Dyna, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models and Milwaukee-Eight gear packs on CVO, Police, Softail, Touring & Trike models ordered after December 04, 2023 will not come with the shift drum, forks, shafts and related hardware. Models Affected: 2006-2017 Twin Cams: Dyna models 2007-2016 Twin Cams: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2007-2017 Twin Cams: Softail models 2017-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: CVO, Police, Touring and Trike models 2018-2024 Milwaukee-Eight: Softail models

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Harley-Davidson Fxdc by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015000
2014000
2013000
2012300
2011000
2010100
2009720
2008Viewing611
2007210
2006010
2005010

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.