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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2008 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUSE3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
27%of 11 total for the year
Median mileage
25,768miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUSE3, 27% of the 11 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,768 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“On march 2, 2013 while driving my bike, the throttle control disappeared and the bike went into limp mode. The dealership repaired it, then on july 7, 2013 it started acting up and I took it back to the dealership. They could not find any problems, the on october 3, 2013 while driving to las vegas I was on highway 99 when the bike went into limp mode. I was in the middle of two semi trucks with no throttle response with my wife on the bike. Luckily I was able to get over to the freeway shoulder. …”

NHTSA complaint #10551580, filed 2013-11, 15,535 miles

“The problem is with harley davidson's compensator assembly. When it fails, it causes problems with starting that can break teeth in the starting gear, leaving riders stranded. At times, it can pose a safety risk because it causes a backfire that send smoke and flames shooting out of the engine that would hurt anyone standing nearby when trying to start the bike. This is the fourth compensator assembly that harley davidson has had to replace in my motorcycle, and a problem they are fully aware of, yet they will not do a recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10560368, filed 2014-01, 36,000 miles

“While riding I lost clutch control, throttle shifted to neutral, pulled over in safe spot and let bike cool (90+ degree day). After cooling I had enough clutch control to get to my destination.”

NHTSA complaint #10891486, filed 2016-07

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2008327%

Other parts of the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUSE3

Brakes
3 complaints
Engine
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints
Wheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHTCUSE3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology