Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Fld, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and fuel system categories. 22 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.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 2 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 3 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 4 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 5 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 6 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
DETACHABLE HARDSHELL SADDLEBAG FLEW OFF WHILE RIDING ON INTERSTATE. 2018 RECALL 0172 COVERS LATCH ARM PART 90200481 NEEDED TO REPAIR FOR WORN PINS, BUT PER HARLEY HEADQUARTERS THIS RECALL DOES NOT EFFECT MY BIKE.
I OWN A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE ULTRA WITH ABS. IN 2018 I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A STIFF FRONT BRAKE WHILE RIDING. AFTER TAKING THE BIKE INTO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR ITS REGULAR SERVICE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS UNABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR AT THE TIME. NOW, AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ABS PUMP. MY FRONT BRAKE IS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND CANNOT BE ACTIVATED. LUCKILY I WAS NOT RIDING WHEN THIS WAS FOUND. ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE ON THIS BIKE WAS DONE BY THE DEALER INCLUDING THE BREAK SERVICES. HARLEY DOES APPEAR TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR BIKES WITH ABS FROM 2008-2011 BUT ONLY FOR A FLUID REPLACEMENT AND NOT FOR THE PUMP FAILURE. THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM BETWEEN 2011 AND 2012. THE REPORTED FIX IS REGULAR FLUID CHANGES. MY BIKE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AT EVERY RECOMMENDED MILEAGE BECAUSE I HAVE A SERVICE CONTRACT WITH THE DEALER. ACCORDING TO HARLEY, IF I HAD REGULAR FLUID CHANGES I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, BUT I STILL DO. IF THIS FAILURE HAD HAPPENED WHILE RIDING I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. UP TO THE POINT OF THE TOTAL LOCK UP I HAD EXPERIENCED A HARD BREAK THAT HAD TO BE FREED DURING RIDING.
THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER ON MY 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE FAILED. I WAS LEAVING A BUSINESS, THE EXIT WAS ON AN INCLINE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. AS I WAS GOING UP THE INCLINE I GRABBED THE FRONT BRAKE TO STOP FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE WITH THE REAR BRAKE AT THE TOP OF INCLINE RAMP. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I FOUND THAT THE ABS BRAKE MODULE ON 2008-2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON WERE FAILING AND ABOUT 175,000 BIKES WERE AFFECTED. HARLEY-DAVIDSON SAID THE BRAKE FLUID SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY TWO YEARS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MOISTURE GETS INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CLOGS THE ABS MODULE PORTS. MY BIKE HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE PLAN, HOWEVER HARLEY-DAVIDSON DOESN'T CHANGE YOUR BRAKE FLUID IN THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE MILESTONES. THEY DO OPEN YOUR MASTER CYLINDER AND CHECK FOR MOISTURE, THEY DON'T DOCUMENT MOISTURE LEVEL. IF THE MOISTURE LEVEL IS ABOVE A CERTAIN LEVEL THEY WILL TELL YOU, BUT IF IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS AND YOUR CURRENT WITH YOUR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE THEY SHOULD CHANGE THE FLUID. THEY DON'T, THEY JUST OPEN YOUR SYSTEM UP TO BE EXPOSED POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION AND IF THE FLUID CHECKS GOOD FOR 3,4 OR 5 YEARS THEY WON'T SAY ANYTHING. THE MERE FACT THEY TAKE THE TOP OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER IN A SEALED SYSTEM COULD BE WHEN INTRODUCTION OF MOISTURE BEGINS. HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND MAKES NO PROACTIVE STEPS TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH COST OF CORRECTING THIS COSTLY OR POSSIBLE FATAL DISCREPANCY. BRAKES ARE A NECESSITY FOR SAFE MOTORCYCLING. IF HARLEY-DAVIDSON RECOMMENDS CHANGING BRAKE FLUID EVERY TWO YEARS THEY SHOULD HAVE THAT ON RECORD WHEN THE BIKE COMES IN FOR SERVICE, JUST LIKE OIL CHANGES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLD. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED VIA AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE AUTO AUCTION IN CLEARWATER. FL. LAKELAND HARLEY-DAVIDSON (4202 LAKELAND HILLS BLVD, LAKELAND, FL 33805) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
MY WIFE RODE HER BIKE TO WORK AND ON THE WAY HOME WAS HAVING PROBLEMS MAINTAINING CONTROL. SHE CALLED ME ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES FROM HOME AND I WENT AND GOT THE BIKE. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I PUT IT ON THE LIFT AND FOUND THE PULLEY SIDE BEARING IN THE REAR WHEEL HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IT ACTUALLY CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE AXLE SLEEVE AND WHEEL SPACER. WHEN I PULLED THE WHEEL, BALL BEARINGS FELL OUT AS DID THE INNER RACE. THE BEARING WAS TOTALLY SHOT. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGH SPEED OVER THE ROAD TRIP THAT WE OFTEN TAKE, SHE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MILEAGE WAS 12940. *TR
I PURCHASED A NEW HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA GLIDE SWITCHBACK MOTORCYCLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN OMAHA, NE. ON NOVEMBER OF 2011. UPON DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE HOME AND PARKING IT INSIDE MY GARAGE I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE FOLLOWED BY GASOLINE DRIPPING ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. I OCCASIONALLY RODE THE MOTORCYCLE WEATHER PERMITTING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE GAS SMELL AND A DRIPPING OF GASOLINE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. I MADE A TELEPHONE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REQUESTED I BRING THE BIKE IN FOR A CHECK. THE MOTORCYCLE LEAKS AND DRIPS GAS FROM THE GAS TANK VENT LINE. TO DATE, THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THIS GASOLINE LEAK THREE OR POSSIBLY FOUR TIME. I'VE LOST COUNT OF THE NUMBER OF TIMES I'VE HAD THE BIKE IN THE SHOP OR CALLED TO COMPLAIN. ON 3-11-12, I AGAIN WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY PRESENTLY HAVE 4 NEW HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA GILDE MOTORCYCLES ON THEIR LOT AND EVERYONE IS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THE GAS TANK VENT LINE JUST AS MY MOTORCYCLE IS. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP CALLED THE HARLEY DAVIDSON TECHNICAL SUPPORT LINE TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE SUPPORT LINE WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT TOOK LITTLE INTEREST IN THE GAS LEAK AND OFFERED THE DEALERSHIP NO SOLUTION TO FIXING THE GAS LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW TRYING TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM THE FACTORY. LEAKING GASOLINE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS NOT ONLY WHEN OPERATING A MOTORCYCLE BUT ALSO WHEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE WHERE ANY SLIGHT SPARK COULD IGNITE THE FUMES. THE FACTORY SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY AND FIND A SOLUTION BEFORE ONE OF THESE LEAKING MOTORCYCLES IGNITES AND CAUSES PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM NOT LIMITED TO MY MOTORCYCLE BUT TO ALL NEW HARLEY DAVIDSON DYNA GLIDE MODELS. *TR
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.0.2): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update Version 26.0.2. Release Date: Week of November 18, 2025. New Features, Changes. 2026 Vehicles, 2025 Softail and LiveWire S2DM/MH/AP EV3. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE BULLETIN M1391A (REVU): MIDTRONICS GRX-3110 AND DCA-8000 SOFTWARE. PURPORSE: Revision U. The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 is now available. DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTIC CHARGER SYSTEM (PART NUMBER: DCA-8000). [Rev U] Added: Description of improvements made to the testing algorithm for GRX software Version P and DCA-8000 software Version E.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GENUINE MOTOR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES BULLETIN PAB1171 (REV B): SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR SCREAMIN EAGLE PRO STREET TUNER. PURPOSE: Revision B. Updated: Summary. The App has returned to the Apple App Store. This bulletin informs dealers that a recent software update to the Screamin' Eagle Pro Street Tuner application will require the use of a Personal Computer (PC) to complete a Bluetooth Communication Interface (BCI) firmware update.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 25.8.9): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update Version 25.8.9 Release Date: Week of September 2, 2025. Changes: LiveWire 2024 S2MH: Removal of incorrect Electro Hydraulic Control Unit (EHCU) reflash support; EHCU Module (Part No. 41100123): Addressed issue where module became unrecoverable after failed reflash attempted. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 25.8.7): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER: HD-48650). New Software Update Version 25.6.4, Release Date: Week of August 19, 2025. Includes New Features and Changes for the Models & Model Years listed. NOTE: Digital Technician II (DT II) supports additional Harley-Davidson motorcycle models and model years outside of those listed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE BULLETIN M1391A (REV T): MIDTRONICS GRX-3110 AND DCA-8000 SOFTWARE. PURPORSE: Revision T. The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the GRX-3110 and DCA-8000 is now available. DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTIC CHARGER SYSTEM (PART NUMBER: DCA-8000). [Rev T] Updated: New Software Update, Previous Software Updates and DCA-8000. Added: 192-210335P. Software update 192-210335P for GRX-3110 and DCA-800 to add new battery part numbers.
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.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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.