RoadVitals

2006 Buell XB12X

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.
5
Latest Jun 21, 2023
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.
3
Latest Feb 1, 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.
0
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Buell XB12X, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Driver assistance116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • Interior & seats116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%

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

3 campaigns 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
07V026000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Feb 1, 2007
2,044 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE A VIBRATION AT THE MOUNTING LOCATION OF THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR WHICH, IF COMBINED WITH THE MISROUTING OF VARIOUS WIRES THAT IMPINGE ON THE SENSOR OR ITS PIGTAIL, CAN COMPROMISE THE ISOLATION OF THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR.
The risk: THIS MAY CREATE A FALSE 'TIP' SIGNAL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL MOVE THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR FROM THE ORIGINAL LOCATION ON THE BATTERY TRAY TO A LOCATION ON THE SEAT LATCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.Manufacturer number 0839View on NHTSA.gov
06V245000

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

Jul 11, 2006
1,021 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH TWO ISSUES THAT COULD COMPROMISE THE SIDESTAND'S PERFORMANCE. EITHER THE PIVOT BOLT FOR THE SIDESTAND LEG OR THE MOUNTING BRACKET BOLTS COULD BREAK, POSSIBLY WITHOUT NOTICE.
The risk: IF EITHER OF THESE FAILURES OCCURS, THE MOTORCYCLE COULD FALL, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND ASSEMBLY AND FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-342-4680.
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.Manufacturer number 0832View on NHTSA.gov
06E061000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Jul 7, 2006
303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET TALL WINDSCREENS SOLD EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON 2006 MY BUELL ULYSSES MODEL MOTORCYCLES, P/N 58214-06YA. THE RETENTION FASTENERS FOR THE SUBJECT WINDSCREENS CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE WINDSCREEN TO BECOME DISLODGED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
The risk: THE WINDSCREEN MAY EITHER STRIKE OR DISTRACT THE RIDER, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY.
The remedy: BUELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE WINDSCREEN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LLC AT 1-414-343-8400.
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Jun 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Buell XB12X motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 50 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the motorcycle. The contact notice that the rear wheel had partially detached from the motorcycle, causing the contact to lose control of the motorcycle. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway. The contact became aware that the rear wheel bearing had fractured. The contact replaced the rear wheel bearing and the axle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID
11528131
Incident
Jun 14, 2014
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 10, 2008

TRAVELING ON RTE 495 AND EXPERIENCED TWO VERY SHORT EPISODES WHERE POWER WAS LOST THEN QUICKLY ( 1-2 SECONDS) RESTORED. DURING DECELERATION WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS RELEASED BACK TO NEUTRAL THE ENGINE STALLED. SUCCESSFUL RESTARTS COULD ONLY BE MAINTAINED WITH SIGNIFICANT TURNING OF THE THROTTLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE THROTTLE "FROZE" AND COULD NOT BE MOVED EITHER WAY. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR WHILE CORNERING IT MAY HAVE VERY WELL RESULTED IN A CRASH AND INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10248376
Incident
Nov 7, 2008
Mileage
14,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 19, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

2006 BUELL ULYSSES XB12X CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PULSES RAPIDLY DURING BRAKING AND MAKES IT HARD TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE AND THIS IS WHAT CAUSED HIS ACCIDENT AND HE BELIEVES THAT IT'S A DEFECTED MACHINE**CC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER WRITTEN TO BUELL BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10194476
Incident
Jun 9, 2007
Fuel system
Filed May 4, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

2006 BUELL ULYSSES XB12X WITH A BANK ANGLE SENSOR MALFUNCTION CUSTOMER BELIEVES THAT THE SENSOR MALFUNCTION CAUSED HIS ACCIDENT**CC CONSUMER STATES MOTORCYCLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS ISSUED A TICKET FOR CARELESS DRIVING AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT AND CONSUMER ALSO STATES HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. UPDATE * 4/16TR THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED A LETTER FROM OF CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING AN ACCIDENT WITH A BUELL MOTORCYCLE AND COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER. UPDATE 05/14/07*TR

NHTSA ID
10188988
Incident
Sep 21, 2006
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Mar 15, 2007

RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10185132
Incident
Feb 24, 2007

Manufacturer communications

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

B-087

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BUELL MOTORCYCLE: THE ENGINE OIL DRAIN PLUG TORQUE HAS CHANGED TO 26-29 FT LBS (35.3-39.3NM) FOR ALL MODELS LISTED. *PE

062

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2006 THROTTLE BODY AND THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR PRODUCTION CHANGE. BUELL. *TT

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

Buell XB12X by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010010—
2009200—
2008200—
2007410—
2006Viewing530—

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.