Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Harley-Davidson FXDWG problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

2,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data updated: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 13 complaints (61.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior323.1%
Fuel system concerns323.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Fuel System, Gasoline
8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Equipment:Motorcycle:Helmets
1
Fuel System, Other
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Fuel System, Gasoline8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine1
Equipment:Motorcycle:Helmets1
Fuel System, Other1

Fuel System, Gasoline: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment:Motorcycle:Helmets: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
11
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00011
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2008
9
2009
1
2010
2
2011
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20089
20091
20102
20111

2008: 9; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10235070 · 2008-07-20 (July 20, 2008)

AIT APROX 1,800 MILES, MY 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTC EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE FUEL FILTER SHELL WHILE I WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. I WAS EXITING INTERSTATE 65 SOUTH IN BRENTWOOD, TN AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM THE EXIT, I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND BY A CAR. THE MOTORCYCLE GAVE NO WARNING/INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. UPON ATTEMPTING TROUGH THE EXIT RAMP. THE BIKE SPUTTERED AND ALMOST STOPPED, WHILE THE AUTOMOBILES BEHIND ME LOCKED UP THEIR BRAKES TRYING TO AVOID ME. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AFTER SUFFERING INTERMITTENT SPUTTERI…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,862 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235070 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10269581 · 2009-05-21 (May 21, 2009)

BRAND: HARLEY DAVIDSON. MODEL: XR1200 (NEW MODEL NOT REPORTED IN YOUR MODEL LIST). CRASH WITH INJURIES. FRONT BRAKES FAILURE BY LOCK-UP ON A NEW HD XR1200 OWNED BY HD AND LENT TO ME FOR A DEMO-RIDE (OR TEST). THE MAIN WITNESS HAS STATED IN WRITING THAT HE HAS CHECKED AND DOUBLE-CHECKED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WAS STILL BLOCKED BY THE FRONT BRAKES EVEN AFTER THE CRASH. THERE IS ALSO A POLICE REPORT WITH PICS, AND A MEDICAL REPORT WITH XRAYS. ALL THE DOCUMENTS ARE AT YOUR DISPOSAL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10269581 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10232565 · 2008-06-27 (June 27, 2008)

WHILE RIDING IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC IN HOUSTON TX. MOTORCYCLE BEGINS TO DISPLAY LOSS OF FUEL SYMPTOMS AND QUIT RUNNING ALMOST CAUSING SEVER ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE BIKE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. WHERE I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND LIMP THE BIKE A FEW BLOCKS THEN IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. BIKE HAD A BUILD DATE OF 9/07 IT WAS PURCHASED 6/08. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE REGULATORS ON ITS 08 MODELS FOR MANY MONTHS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAD BEE…

Owner-reported narrative. 958 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232565 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10232617 · 2008-06-29 (June 29, 2008)

FUEL PUMP AND/OR LINES INTERNAL TO FUEL TANK FAIL AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO RUN POORLY OR EVEN DIE OUT AND FAIL TO RESTART. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232617 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

84.6%Usable mileage11 / 13 records
100.0%Valid incident date13 / 13 records
100.0%Valid filing date13 / 13 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates13 / 13 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component19992000200120022003200520072008201020122013
Fuel System, Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

266.7%
ODI 10107892 · 8,240 mi

MY 2003 HARLEY FXDWG WAS RIDDEN TO ORANGE COUNTY HARLEY AND SAT IN THE SUN FOR 1 HOUR. THE TEMP WAS 64-70 AND I HAD HALF A TANK OF GAS, WHICH WAS CHEVRON 91 OCT. GETTING BACK ONTO THE 405 FREEWAY AT 70 MPH THE BIKE FELT AS IF IT LACKED POWER. AFTER 30 SEC THE BIKE STARTED SPUTTERING AS IF IT WASN'T GETTING ENOUGH GAS OR WAS VAPOR LOCKING CAUSING ME TO LOSE SPEED AND POWER. THIS SPUTTERING CONTINUED FOR 3-4 MILES. I FINALLY COMPLETELY BACKED OF THE THROTTLE AND JUST BARELY OPENED IT, WHERE AS AFTER ABOUT 30 SEC THE BIKE REGAINED FULL POWER (G…

Look up ODI 10107892 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

861.5%
ODI 10232565 · 958 mi

WHILE RIDING IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC IN HOUSTON TX. MOTORCYCLE BEGINS TO DISPLAY LOSS OF FUEL SYMPTOMS AND QUIT RUNNING ALMOST CAUSING SEVER ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE BIKE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. WHERE I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND LIMP THE BIKE A FEW BLOCKS THEN IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. BIKE HAD A BUILD DATE OF 9/07 IT WAS PURCHASED 6/08. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE REGULATORS ON ITS 08 MODELS FOR MANY MONTHS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAD BEE…

Look up ODI 10232565 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
116.7%
ODI 10887548 · 14,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG. WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE, THERE WAS A STRONG HESITATION AND THE CAM SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REMOVED THE CAM COVER AND INDICATED THAT THERE WERE METAL FRAGMENTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAM BEARINGS AND CAM BOLTS FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE MOTOR MAY NEED TO BE REMOVED FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 99V200000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 99V003000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…

Look up ODI 10887548 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

266.7%
ODI 11020211 · 13,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG WIDE GLIDE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO BROTHERS' HARLEY-DAVIDSON INC (557 W MAIN ST, BRANFORD, CT 06405 [phone removed]) FOR A CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE LOT, THE MOTORCYCLE SEIZED AND FAILED TO MOVE WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TWO RETAINER NUT SCREWS FRACTURED AND THE SCREWS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE, STATING THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS …

Look up ODI 11020211 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 10615996

AFTER A LONG DAY OF RIDING WHEN SHUTTING OFF MOTOR HEARD A NOISE IN THE PRIMARY CHAIN AREA REMOVED COVER TO FIND THAT THE ENGINE COMPENSATOR NUT WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE ABOUT TO FALL OFF I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED THIS AREA AND HAVE PERFORMED THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE BIKE IE OIL CHANGES AND INSPECTION AS I'VE READ SEVERAL MODEL YEAR BIKES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IF THE NUT WOULD HAVE COME OUT COMPLETELY THIS SURELY WOULD HAVE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT EVEN DEATH IF I WAS GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Look up ODI 10615996 at NHTSA ↗

1100.0%
ODI 10566925

JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 35 OR 40 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MOTOR STARTS KNOCKING LIKE HELL SOUNDED LIKE IF THE MOTOR WAS JUST GOING TO BLOW UP BETWEEN MY LEGS IM VERY GLAD THAT I'M A SKILLED RIDER IF I WASN'T I COULD HAVE WRECKED I SHUT IT OFF ADMITTEDLY. I'M BRING IT TO A SHOP BUT I GOT ON A COUPLE INTERNET SITES AND SEEN THAT OTHER RIDERS HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND THEY SAID ITS THE OIL PUMP IN THE 2005 DYNA WIDE GLIDES SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PICK UP TUBE OR THE PUMP IT'S SELF WHEN …

Look up ODI 10566925 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 10496502 · 6,000 mi

ALL HARLEY DAVIDSON MODELS WITH 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS HAVE THESE ISSUES: THE CRANKSHAFT ASSEMBLY ON TWIN CAM 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS IS KNOWN TO SHIFT OR SCISSOR AROUND THE CRANK PIN AND CAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT ENDS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUNOUT. THIS IN TURN CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MOTORCYCLE. IT ALSO PUTS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE DRIVELINE, AS WELL AS THE OIL PUMP. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND MOST LIKELY DEATH. ALSO, HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA MODELS ARE AFFECTED BY A CONDITION CALLED "RE…

Look up ODI 10496502 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
350.0%
ODI 10143375 · 20,250 mi

HARLEY-DAVIDSON CAM BEARING FAILURE ON 1999 TWIN-CAM88 & TWIN-CAM88B ENGINES. THIS WAS IDENTIFIED BY HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND A DESIGN CHANGE WAS MADE TO THE CAM BEARING ON DECEMBER 14, 1999. A FIX KIT WAS EVEN PREPARED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL DEALERS. MY 1999 FXDWG CAM BEARING FAILED AND CAUSED OTHER PARTS TO BECOME WORN AS WELL, WHICH IS PUTTING ME IN THE SITUATION OF HAVING TO PAY $3200 TO GET THE BIKE IN CONDITION TO SELL. I'VE READ OTHER "RECALLS" ON THIS SITE AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE RECALLS ONLY AFFECTED APPROXIMATELY 14000 BIKES (…

Look up ODI 10143375 at NHTSA ↗

2100.0%
ODI 10020654 · 20,000 mi

THE CAM BEARINGS OF MY 2000 FXDWG [DYNA WIDE GLIDE] DESTROYED THEMSELVES IN KANSAS CITY AND THE BIKE WAS REPAIRED AT HARLEY DAVIDSONS EXPENSE DUE TO POOR ENGINE DESIGN AND A LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO ME TELLING ME OF THE PROBLEM. IT IS NOW BROKEN AGAIN WITH AN $1,800 BILL. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH AND I FEEL THEY SHOULD PUT A NEW ENGINE IN MY BIKE AND ALL OF THE OTHERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE NEEDED THE CAM BEARINGS REPAIRED. LITTLE DO THEY KNOW WHAT IS COMING THEIR WAY WITH THEIR ENGINES. FIXING THE CAM BEARINGS IS ONLY PART OF THE P…

Look up ODI 10020654 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.7%
ODI 10233296 · 2,500 mi

I RECEIVED FIRST DEGREE BURNS TO MY THIGHS. THIS ENGINE IS KNOWN TO BE A PROBLEM WITH BEING HOT AS I FOUND OUT AFTER I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE. I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC, DUE TO AN AUTO ACCIDENT. WHILE MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED OR STOPPED THIS ENGINE GETS HUNDREDS HOTTER THAN NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

Look up ODI 10233296 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 11020211 · 13,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG WIDE GLIDE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO BROTHERS' HARLEY-DAVIDSON INC (557 W MAIN ST, BRANFORD, CT 06405 [phone removed]) FOR A CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE LOT, THE MOTORCYCLE SEIZED AND FAILED TO MOVE WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TWO RETAINER NUT SCREWS FRACTURED AND THE SCREWS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE, STATING THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS …

Look up ODI 11020211 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 10615996

AFTER A LONG DAY OF RIDING WHEN SHUTTING OFF MOTOR HEARD A NOISE IN THE PRIMARY CHAIN AREA REMOVED COVER TO FIND THAT THE ENGINE COMPENSATOR NUT WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE ABOUT TO FALL OFF I HAVE NEVER TOUCHED THIS AREA AND HAVE PERFORMED THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE BIKE IE OIL CHANGES AND INSPECTION AS I'VE READ SEVERAL MODEL YEAR BIKES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IF THE NUT WOULD HAVE COME OUT COMPLETELY THIS SURELY WOULD HAVE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT EVEN DEATH IF I WAS GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Look up ODI 10615996 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 10496502 · 6,000 mi

ALL HARLEY DAVIDSON MODELS WITH 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS HAVE THESE ISSUES: THE CRANKSHAFT ASSEMBLY ON TWIN CAM 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS IS KNOWN TO SHIFT OR SCISSOR AROUND THE CRANK PIN AND CAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT ENDS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUNOUT. THIS IN TURN CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MOTORCYCLE. IT ALSO PUTS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE DRIVELINE, AS WELL AS THE OIL PUMP. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND MOST LIKELY DEATH. ALSO, HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA MODELS ARE AFFECTED BY A CONDITION CALLED "RE…

Look up ODI 10496502 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10714103 · 350 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDWG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350. UPDATED 7/7/15*CN

Look up ODI 10714103 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 11647541

more info ia required

Look up ODI 11647541 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
233.3%
ODI 737423

WOULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY'S (H-D - MILWAUKEE, WI) 1999 88 CUBIC INCH, TWIN-CAM MOTORCYCLE ENGINES? THESE ENGINES HAVE A FAULTED DESIGN RELATED TO THE CAM BEARINGS AND CAM SUPPORT PLATE WHICH CAN RESULT IN CATOSTROPHIC FAILURE. THE BALL BEARINGS WHICH SUPPORT THE CAM ENDS FAIL. THIS FAILURE CAN RESULT IN THE INTERNAL DESTRUCTION OF THE LOWER END OF THE ENGINE WHICH WILL SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN IMMEDIATELY, WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FATAL CRASH. H-D KNOWS A PROBLEM EXISTS AS THEY WILL RE…

Look up ODI 737423 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

215.4%
ODI 10269581

BRAND: HARLEY DAVIDSON. MODEL: XR1200 (NEW MODEL NOT REPORTED IN YOUR MODEL LIST). CRASH WITH INJURIES. FRONT BRAKES FAILURE BY LOCK-UP ON A NEW HD XR1200 OWNED BY HD AND LENT TO ME FOR A DEMO-RIDE (OR TEST). THE MAIN WITNESS HAS STATED IN WRITING THAT HE HAS CHECKED AND DOUBLE-CHECKED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WAS STILL BLOCKED BY THE FRONT BRAKES EVEN AFTER THE CRASH. THERE IS ALSO A POLICE REPORT WITH PICS, AND A MEDICAL REPORT WITH XRAYS. ALL THE DOCUMENTS ARE AT YOUR DISPOSAL. *TR

Look up ODI 10269581 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 11081462 · 11,850 mi

THE SWINGARM OF THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE MIDWAY OF THE AXLE ADJUSTING SLOT THAT IS ON THE DRIVE SIDE LEG, (LEFT SIDE)CAUSING A SEVERE WOBBLE WHILE IN MOTION ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT SPEED. LUCKILY, AS I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED RIDER OF OVER 45 YEARS, I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, THEN CALL FOR A FRIEND WITH A TRAILER TO GET IT HOME SAFELY. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, I HAVE FOUND THAT QUITE A FEW OF THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED, AND COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE SECTION WALL THICKNESS WAS MUCH THICKER!

Look up ODI 11081462 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 10496502 · 6,000 mi

ALL HARLEY DAVIDSON MODELS WITH 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS HAVE THESE ISSUES: THE CRANKSHAFT ASSEMBLY ON TWIN CAM 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS IS KNOWN TO SHIFT OR SCISSOR AROUND THE CRANK PIN AND CAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT ENDS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUNOUT. THIS IN TURN CAUSES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MOTORCYCLE. IT ALSO PUTS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE DRIVELINE, AS WELL AS THE OIL PUMP. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND MOST LIKELY DEATH. ALSO, HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA MODELS ARE AFFECTED BY A CONDITION CALLED "RE…

Look up ODI 10496502 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Fuel System, Gasoline1,102–3,083 mi2,131 mi8
ODI 10232565 · 958 mi

WHILE RIDING IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC IN HOUSTON TX. MOTORCYCLE BEGINS TO DISPLAY LOSS OF FUEL SYMPTOMS AND QUIT RUNNING ALMOST CAUSING SEVER ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE BIKE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. WHERE I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND LIMP THE BIKE A FEW BLOCKS THEN IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. BIKE HAD A BUILD DATE OF 9/07 IT WAS PURCHASED 6/08. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE REGULATORS ON ITS 08 MODELS FOR MANY MONTHS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAD BEE…

Look up ODI 10232565 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10232617 · 1,150 mi

FUEL PUMP AND/OR LINES INTERNAL TO FUEL TANK FAIL AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO RUN POORLY OR EVEN DIE OUT AND FAIL TO RESTART. *TR

Look up ODI 10232617 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10232701 · 2,400 mi

ENGINE ALMOST DIED WHILE PULLING OUT INTO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. REAL BAD MIS-FIRE WITH SPITTING AND SPUTTERING. TOOK TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAS A CRACKED FUEL LINE FITTING. I READ A FORUM AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO SAFETY RECALL. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A DEATH. MY HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC IS AN 2008 MODEL THAT I HAVE HAS LESS THAN A MONTH AND HAVE ABOUT 2400 MILES ON IT. I AM CONCERNED SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND MIGHT HAVE A GRIM OUTCOME. *TR

Look up ODI 10232701 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, HydraulicToo few reports for a range5,100 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10403977 · 5,100 mi

2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON NIGHT ROD SPECIAL REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS LOCATED 1/2" FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS SWITCH GETS HOT AND MELTS THE SWITCH ALLOWING ALL THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND CREATE A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Look up ODI 10403977 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineToo few reports for a range2,500 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10233296 · 2,500 mi

I RECEIVED FIRST DEGREE BURNS TO MY THIGHS. THIS ENGINE IS KNOWN TO BE A PROBLEM WITH BEING HOT AS I FOUND OUT AFTER I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE. I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC, DUE TO AN AUTO ACCIDENT. WHILE MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED OR STOPPED THIS ENGINE GETS HUNDREDS HOTTER THAN NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

Look up ODI 10233296 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, OtherToo few reports for a range2,580 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10235698 · 2,580 mi

FUEL FILTER CANISTER FAILURE FOR 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ULTRA CLASSIC. BIKE HAS A BUILD DATE OF 09/07. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THE EARLY MODEL O8'S AND HARLEY IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. YET THEY HAVE UPDATED THE FILTER CANISTER. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES. THESE HAVE BEEN NOTED ON THE VARIOUS HARLEY DAVIDSON FORUM WEBSITES. MANY RIDERS LIKE MYSELF ARE TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH AND REPLACING CANISTER BEFORE IT FAILS AND LEAVES THE RIDER STRANDED OR WORSE IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT ONLY FAILS ONCE. DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMST…

Look up ODI 10235698 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2012: 0 complaints · 2013: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2012000
2013011
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2012100
2013100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineEquipment:Motorcycle:HelmetsFuel System, Other
Fuel System, Gasoline—0000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic0—000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine00—00
Equipment:Motorcycle:Helmets000—0
Fuel System, Other0000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

2 patterns with matching reports.

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 2,611 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10235065 · 2,611 mi

THE MOTORCYCLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. FUEL TANK WAS FULL BUT NO FUEL WAS GETTING TO THE ENGINE. LEFT ME STRANDED. WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. HTTP://WWW.HDFORUMS.COM/M_3599675/TM.HTM. *TR

Look up ODI 10235065 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10269581

BRAND: HARLEY DAVIDSON. MODEL: XR1200 (NEW MODEL NOT REPORTED IN YOUR MODEL LIST). CRASH WITH INJURIES. FRONT BRAKES FAILURE BY LOCK-UP ON A NEW HD XR1200 OWNED BY HD AND LENT TO ME FOR A DEMO-RIDE (OR TEST). THE MAIN WITNESS HAS STATED IN WRITING THAT HE HAS CHECKED AND DOUBLE-CHECKED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WAS STILL BLOCKED BY THE FRONT BRAKES EVEN AFTER THE CRASH. THERE IS ALSO A POLICE REPORT WITH PICS, AND A MEDICAL REPORT WITH XRAYS. ALL THE DOCUMENTS ARE AT YOUR DISPOSAL. *TR

Look up ODI 10269581 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b