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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2008 Harley-Davidson Flhx Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
13%of 30 total for the year
Median mileage
33,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhx, 13% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles.

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.

“Riding my FLHX the other day and bike started making noise from my primary and I pulled over and checked noise and comfirmed it was coming from the left side(primary). Made it home safe; wasn't far from home. Took off the primary cover and checked over the inner primary components. The compensator and adjuster were bad. …”

NHTSA complaint #11022936, filed 2017-09, 25,000 miles

“What we have discovered is the compensator sprocket has either worked loose or is cracked, this is within the shaft assembly where the clutch assembly and primary final drive is located, harley knows they have a problem with this, and it could result in the drive train locking up if the assembly locks up or something comes loose and causes such an event it could lock up the rear wheel and cause a crash I know of a few people that are having this same issue, and also just from research online there are a lot of motorcycles with the same problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10671869, filed 2015-01, 37,000 miles

“While riding on the freeway at 65 MPH the check engine light came on and the bike went into a 'limp' mode all of a sudden and would not go over 15-20 MPH. Had to cut across traffic without getting hit to get to the side of the road. Turned off bike and it reset was able to make it home. Researched problem on line and have seems similar problems with this year and it's being traced bad pins used in some of the connectors during this time.”

NHTSA complaint #11361012, filed 2020-09, 31,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024110%
2018563%
2017240%
2014225%
2012213%
201014%
2009310%
2008413%
2007945%

Other parts of the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhx

Brakes
9 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Harley-Davidson Flhx

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