Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
16
Latest Oct 12, 2022
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since May 28, 2012
What this page shows
Our database holds 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Flhx. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–16 of 16
Brakes
Filed Oct 12, 2022
My front brake lever froze and can not be pulled in on my 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle. Dealership is saying brake pistons are froze up and ABS module will need to be replaced. I’ve owned the bike 6 years and have never been told the brake fluid needed to flushed every 2 years. There was a recall on this issue but only for years 2008-2011 and my bike is 2012, but was built on 2011. I never received recall notice.
NHTSA ID
11489040
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jan 26, 2021
2012 HARLEY STREET GLIDE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS FAILING. CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER TO BECOME ROCK HARD AND UNUSABLE. SAME EXACT MODULE THAT WAS RECALLED ON 2008-2010 WAS ALSO USED IN 2011-2013. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU CAN NOT STOP IF SOMEONE PULLS OUT IN FRONT OF YOU.
NHTSA ID
11390099
Incident
Jan 26, 2021
Mileage
19,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 13, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported
FRONT BRAKES COMPLETE FAILURE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ABS FAILED & INSTEAD OF REVERTING TO NON ABS IT LOCKED OUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM RESULTING IN NO BRAKES. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW ON 2008 & UP HARLEY'S WITH ABS. I BELIEVE THAT AN INVESTIGATION & RECALL ARE IN ORDER PLEASE. I WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED, THIS CAN LEAD TO FATALITIES!!
NHTSA ID
11338998
Incident
Jul 9, 2020
Mileage
38,589 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 5, 2019
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON ABS BRAKE SYSTEMS. THERE WAS NO INDICATOR LIGHT OR WARNING THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTED JUST SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE. LUCKILY I WAS JUST MOVING THE MOTORCYCLE AROUND THE YARD WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY ROLL TO A STOP. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR IN TRAFFIC THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 8,000 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGE KEPT IN A CLIMATE CONTROLLED BUILDING. ANY HELP OR ADVISE WOULD BE APPRECIATED AND I HOPE THIS CAN HELP OR POSSIBLY SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHER RIDERS.
NHTSA ID
11229574
Incident
Jul 4, 2019
Brakes
Filed Jun 11, 2019
THE FRONT BRAKES WERE FINE GOING TO WORK BUT WHEN I LEFT WORK THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WAS STIFF AS A BOARD AND HAD NO FRONT BRAKES. THE BIKE WAS NOT IN MOTION WHEN I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ID
11219337
Incident
May 28, 2019
Mileage
17,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 3, 2018
1 injury reported
I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON A 45 MPH 6 LANE COUNTY ROAD AND A CAR CUT IN FRONT OF ME. I DOWNSHIFTED ONE GEAR AND GRABBED THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER AND STEPPED ON REAR BRAKE PEDAL. THEY WERE BOTH AS HARD AS A ROCK AND I HAD NO BRAKES. I JUMPED THE CURB AND ROLLED INTO A GRASSY EMBANKMENT AND THE BIKE FELL ON ME. I HAD NO BRAKES AND RODE HOME WITH A CAR BEHIND ME WITH FLASHERS ON, LESS THAN ONE MILE HOME.
NHTSA ID
11155622
Incident
Oct 13, 2018
Mileage
30,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 2018
FRONT BAKE IS HARD TO APPLY UPON START UP. IT HAS ALSO BEEN HARD A FEW TIMES AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN RIDDEN FOR A LITTLE.
NHTSA ID
11132203
Incident
Sep 14, 2018
Mileage
36,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE (FLHX). WHILE PARKING THE MOTORCYCLE, THE BRAKES FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (STEEL CITY HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 1375 WASHINGTON RD, WASHINGTON, PA 15301) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. *TT CARFAX NOT ABLE TO DISPLAY VIN RECORD UPDATED 9/26/18*JB
NHTSA ID
11074540
Incident
Feb 19, 2018
Mileage
21,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE FLHX MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, A VIBRATION OCCURRED UNDER THE CHASSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF NASSAU COUNTY (LOCATED ON SUNRISE HIGH, BELLMORE, NY 11710) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AFTERMARKET PRODUCTION OF THE CUSTOM RIMS AND ROUTER THAT WERE ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
NHTSA ID
11012874
Incident
Jul 15, 2017
Mileage
28,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 18, 2017
HAVE A HEEL TO TOE SHIFTER... FRIEND FROM A MAJOR HARLEY DEALER LOOKED OVER THE BIKE AND NOTICED THE SHIFTER ARM HAS SLIPPED AWAY FROM THE TRANSMISSION, SO IT SLIDES UP AND DOWN THE SPLINED SHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION MAKING IT LOOSE AND COULD FALL OFF...HAVE SEEN RECALLS FOR THIS BUT NOT FOR MY VIN!?
NHTSA ID
10979112
Incident
Feb 15, 2017
Body & structure
Filed Feb 1, 2016
THE RIGHT HAND SADDLE BAG FELL OFF DURING A RIDE. HAVE OWNED THIS STYLE BAG FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS AND KNOW THEY WERE SECURE PRIOR TO THIS RIDE. MATT G. FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR HARLEY DAVIDSON. FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT 40MPH AND NOBODY WAS FOLLOWING ME.
NHTSA ID
10823438
Incident
Jan 29, 2016
Mileage
26,300 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2015
MOTORCYCLE SURGES UNEXPECTEDLY AND THEN ALSO LOSES THROTTLE CONTROL. THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC AND AS SOON AS I GOT INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE MOTORCYCLE LOST ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE BUT MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING. TRAFFIC WAS A 4 LANE STREET WITH SPEED POSTED AT 35 MPH. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AND ONLY A CURB. I HAD NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY SEVERAL PASSING VEHICLES. I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AT THE TIME I LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE. I SHUT OFF IGNITION AND CYCLED POWER A FEW TIMES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND I HAD THROTTLE RESPONSE AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES AND WENT INTO WHAT HARLEY DAVIDSON REPAIR CALLS LIMP MODE. I HAVE HAD THE BIKE IN SERVICE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO PREVAIL ON FIXING PROBLEM. THE OTHER ITEM THE MOTORCYCLE IS DOING IS, THE BIKE THROTTLE SURGES UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS PULLING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT, JUST AS I WAS GOING TO STOP THE THROTTLE REVVED UP CAUSING ME TO GO INTO THE INTERSECTION ALMOST GETTING HIT AND LOSING CONTROL OF THE BIKE. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS IS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER SYSTEM OF THE BIKE. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS ?IT?S A LOOSE WIRE OR CONNECTION? BUT THEY HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HOURS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS TRYING TO FIND IT. BOTH THE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGES AND LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL HAVE HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE SEVERAL TIME BECAUSE OF IT.
NHTSA ID
10761697
Incident
Jun 2, 2001
Mileage
27,405 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 22, 2015
WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEED LIMIT I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT HIGHWAY 101 SOUTHBOUND IN NOVATO CALIFORNIA. UPON BRAKING AND DOWNSHIFTING I REALIZED THE ENTIRE FOOT SHIFTER WAS MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN SIXTH FEAR AND I HAD TO INITIATE EMERGENCY BRAKING TO AVOID LOSING CONTROL OF THE BIKE ON THE EXIT RAMP. THE BIKE WAS THEN STUCK IN SIXTH GEAR AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN FURTHER. UPON OBTAINING REPLACEMENT PARTS AND INSTALLING THE SAME THE LOCAL DEALER HAD ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE NEWER HARLEY MODELS AND THAT HAVE HEARD MANY HARROWING STORIES FROM RIDERS LIKE MYSELF THAT HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A NEAR MISHAP DUE TO THIS DEFECT, ATTEMPTING TO STOP AND SLOW A 800 POUND BIKE WITH A 210 POUND RIDER AND A 150 PASSENGER AS WELL AS LUGGAGE IS NOT AN EASY TASK WHEN THERE IS NO SHIFTER TO DOWN GEAR AND SLOW THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPORTS HARLEY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ATTRIBUTED TO FAULTY PARTS AND AFFIXMENT BUT TO DATE HAS DONE NOTHING . MY PART REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN. THIS SITUATION IS A DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY WAITING TO OCCUR IN MY OPINION....UPDATED 10/01/15*BF
NHTSA ID
10735887
Incident
Jul 10, 2015
Mileage
28,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 11, 2014
FRONT TIRE ON MY 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE HAS CRACKED SIDEWALLS.TIRE IS THE ORIGINAL TIRE WITH 1500 MILES WEAR .REAR TIRE DOES NOT HAVE THIS CRACKING.HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ([XXX])STATES ITS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE THAT CAUSED TIRE DAMAGE. BIKE IS KEPT IN A HEATED GARAGE,ON WOODEN BOARDS AND IS NEVER RIDDEN IN OR SEEN RAIN.SEARCH OF ONLINE FORUMS SHOWS THAT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE,ALTHOUGH I CAN NOT VOUCH FOR THE WAY THEIR BIKES ARE KEPT AND MAINTAINED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10597700
Incident
Jun 9, 2014
Mileage
1,500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 7, 2012
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX-11200 MILES. SIDEWALL CRACK ON THE FRONT TIRE. ITS THE HARLEY DAVIDSON DUNLOP TIRE D408F. TIRE SIZE IS A 130/70B18 63H. I HAVE HAD TO PUT 4 FRONT TIRES ON IT SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE BIKE NEW LAST YEAR. MY LAST TWO FRONT TIRES ONLY LASTED 1000 MILES AND STARTED CRACKING. NOTIFIED HARLEY DAVIDSON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED EVERY TIRE FOR FREE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10474276
Incident
Sep 7, 2012
Mileage
11,200 mi
Electrical
Filed May 28, 2012
BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND VOLTMETER DROPPING. *TR
NHTSA ID
10459826
Incident
May 22, 2012
Mileage
800 mi
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.
Narrow this down by component
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own