2008 Harley-Davidson Fxdwg recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 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.
What could happen: IF CONTACT OCCURS WHILE RIDING, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 FXDWG.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07V535000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-414-343-4056.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: IF CONTACT OCCURS WHILE RIDING, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH.
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.
Notes: HARLEY-DAVIDSON RECALL NO. 0133. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2008 Harley-Davidson Fxdwg owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (9), Gasoline (8), Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2), Other (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/01/2011 · Brakes
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
09/13/2010 · Fuel system
MY GAS GAUGE HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. IT WILL GO TO EMPTY AND STAY THERE WITH 1/2 TANK OF GAS, UNTIL I CUT THE POWER OF AND BACK ON IT WILL RESET TO I/2 TANKS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. HAVE REPLACED SENDING UNTIL 3 TIME . HARLEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON ALL V-ROD SINCE 2003 THE FIRST YEAR THEY CAME OUT. NEED SOMEO…
07/22/2010 · Fuel system
MY 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON NIGHT ROD VROD. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. IT HASN'T WORKED SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE BIKE. THERE ARE MORE BROKEN GAUGES THAN WORKING ONES ON THIS MODEL OF BIKE. HARLEY THROWS RANDOM PARTS AND NEVER FIXES THE REAL PROBLEM. *TR
05/21/2009 · Brakes · crash
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 TH…
07/24/2008 · Fuel system
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…
07/20/2008 · Fuel system
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
07/20/2008 · Fuel system
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…
07/08/2008 · Fuel system
ON SUNDAY JULY 6 2008 I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 95 AROUND PORT ST LUCY IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN MY 2008 FLHTCU JUST DIED FOR NO APPARENT REASON FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT I DID A SEARCH OF THIS SORT OF PROBLEM AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR ONES BUT WITH NO RECALL NOTICE FROM HAR…