RoadVitals

1996 Harley-Davidson 1200

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.
1
Latest Sep 22, 2008
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.
1
Latest Oct 3, 1995
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1996 Harley-Davidson 1200, most frequently naming the brakes category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Brakes1100.0%

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

1 campaign 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
95E037000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Oct 3, 1995
1,558 units potentially affected
The defect: THE AIR CLEANER BAFFLE PLATE CAN DETACH AND LODGE IN THE THROAT OF THE CARBURETOR.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN IMPEDE THE ABILITY OF THE THROTTLEPLATE TO RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLEACCIDENT OR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR CLEANER FILTER ON THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES. IF OWNERS HAVE PURCHASED A FILTER AND HAVE NOT INSTALLED IT ON THEIR MOTORCYCLES, THEY CAN RETURN THE FILTER FOR A REPLACEMENT OR A REFUND OF THEIR MONEY.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 SPORTSTER. WHILE RIDING 30 MPH, FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FORK TUBE SPLIT IN HALF. THE CALIPER CONNECTION POINT ALSO SNAPPED. THESE FAILURES CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND THE BRAKE TO GO DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED INJURIES SUCH AS ROAD RASH ON BOTH ARMS, BRUISES ON HIS RIGHT HIP, MUSCLE SPASMS (FOR THREE DAYS AFTER), AND PAIN IN HIS LEFT HEEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CALLED, BUT THERE WAS NO CORRESPONDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE TURNING THE ISSUE OVER TO THE PRODUCT LIABILITY DEPARTMENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,254. UPDATED 11-24-08 *BF AS THE LIGHT STARTED TO TURN GREEN, THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP AND TURNED TO THE LEFT CAUSING THE BIKE TO HIT THE GROUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN FROM THE BIKE. UPDATED 11/25/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10243035
Incident
Sep 14, 2008
Mileage
12,254 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Harley-Davidson 1200 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002600—
2000411—
1999811—
1997200—
1996Viewing110—
1995010—
1994010—
1993010—
1992010—
1991010—
1990010—
1989010—
1988010—
1979020—
1977010—
1976010—
1975010—

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.