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.
12
Latest Mar 26, 2018
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.
0
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 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Flstc, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, steering and body & structure categories. 23 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Monthly complaints peaked at 2 in Feb 2012. Most recent month: 1.View as table
Monthly owner complaints for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Flstc
Month
Complaints filed
Cumulative
Dec 2011
1
1
Feb 2012
2
3
May 2012
2
5
Jul 2012
1
6
Aug 2012
1
7
May 2013
1
8
Jul 2013
1
9
May 2014
1
10
Apr 2015
1
11
Mar 2018
1
12
What owners report
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.
Safety recalls
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
MY REAR BRAKES STOPPED WORKING WHILE IN MOTION. THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL BECAME ROCK SOLID & WOULD NOT DEPRESS. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS CHECKED & FOUND TO HAVE PLENTY IN THE RESERVOIR. I HAD A HARLEY DAVIDSON TECHNICIAN ANALYZE IT & WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS UNIT HAS GONE BAD, I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ABS UNIT FOR HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES BUT ONLY THROUGH YEARS 2011. HOWEVER, I BOUGHT MY MOTORCYCLE ON 09-11-11 SO HAVE TO WONDER WHETHER MY MOTORCYCLE WOULD BE COVERED. THIS SAME TECHNICIAN SAYS HE HAS HAD TO REMEDY THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL CUSTOMERS, OWNING MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED PAST 2011. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE SITUATION CAN BECOME EVEN MORE DANGEROUS (IT THE RIDER IS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM), IF THEY ARE TO PRESS THE PEDAL VERY HARD, THE REAR BRAKE COULD POSSIBLY ENGAGE & NOT RELEASE. I HAVE FULFILLED MY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PER THE MANUAL. FLUSHING THE ABS SYSTEM WAS NOT A REQUIREMENT IN THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING DANGEROUS, DEFECTIVE PROBLEM THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON SHOULD REVIEW & EXTEND THE YEARS THAT NEED TO BE RECALLED.
NHTSA ID
11081197
Incident
Mar 24, 2018
Mileage
25,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 15, 2015
I WAS RIDING NORMAL SPEED OF ABOUT 60 MPH AND WENT INTO VERY DANGEROUS WOBBLE/ WEAVE. I LET GO OF THROTTLE AND LAYED MY BODY WEIGHT OVER THE TANK AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW TO A STOP. CHECKED AND FOUND ALL SPOKES ON REAR WHEEL WERE DEAD AND LOOSE. BIKE ONLY HAS 1800 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SEEN TONS OF FORUMS ONLINE ALL COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE AND YET HARLEY HAS NOT MADE THIS A LEGIT RECALL OR KNOWN PROBLEM... SOMEONE WITH LITTLE RIDING SKILL WILL WIND UP BEING KILLED FROM THIS ISSUE. UNTIL IT BECOMES A KNOWN PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE SELLING THEIR FAULTY RIMS ON EBAY AFTER BYING NEW ONES AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10705868
Incident
Apr 12, 2015
Mileage
1,800 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed May 12, 2014
BOUGHT NEW 2012 FLSTC H-D IN FEBRUARY 2011. TOOK THE BIKE IN FOR THE FIRST 1,000 MILE SERVICE. WHEN I PICKED THE BIKE UP IT WAS NOTED ON THE SERVICE TICKET THAT ALL SPOKES WHERE LOOSE ON THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS. NOW HAVE 7700 MILES ON THE BIKE AND TOOK IT IN FOR NEW REAR TIRE.[ HAVE NOTICED JUST IN THE WEEK BEFORE HANDLING A LITTLE DIFFERENT] WHEN THE DEALER WAS INSTALLING THE NEW TIRE THEY CALLED ME INTO THE WORK AREA TO SHOW ME THERE WAS A WOBBLE IN THE REAR WHEEL. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAD BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. AFTER CHECKING THE FACTORY WARRANTY HAD GONE OUT ON APRIL 5TH,2014 AND THE SELLING DEALERSHIP DID NOT INCLUDE THE WHEEL AND TIRE WARRANTY IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.[ ALL THIS IS HAPPENING ON 05/06/2014] THE DEALER COULD NOT WARRANTY THE WHEEL AND RECOMMENDED THAT I PUT A TUBELESS MAG WHEEL ON THE BIKE BECAUSE H-D HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SPOKE WHEELS ON THE FLSTC MODELS. AND I WOULD BE BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IF I PUT THE SPOKE WHEEL BACK ON. THEY EVEN HAD NEW BIKES COME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM STRAIGHT FROM THE H-D FACTORY. SO $790.00 PLUS LABOR LATER! YOU WOULD THINK WITH THE DEALERSHIPS INFORMING THE H-D FACTORY ABOUT THIS THAT BIG H-D WOULD STAND UP AND TAKE CARE OF THE CUSTOMER WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FIX THEIR BIKES AND FIX THE PROBLEM AT THE FACTORY!! *TR
NHTSA ID
10587891
Incident
May 6, 2014
Mileage
7,700 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON HERITAGE MOTORCYCLE(N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR WHEEL SPOKES WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. UPDATED 9/23/13 *CN
NHTSA ID
10522885
Incident
Jun 30, 2013
Mileage
3,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed May 26, 2013
TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT APPROX. 65 MPH, BIKE DEVELOPED AN UNSTABLE CONDITION THAT FELT SIMILAR TO RIDING ON AN UNDER INFLATED REAR TIRE. VISUAL INSPECTION FOUND EXTREMELY LOOSE SPOKES ON THE REAR WHEEL RIM RESULTING IN THE TIRE TRAVELING AT A DIFFERENT AXIS THAN THE HUB WHEN UNDER LOAD. RETURNED BIKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 HERITAGE SOFT TAIL BIKES AND THEY HAD A PREVIOUS INSTANCE OF THE SAME CONDITION. CURRENTLY AWAITING RETURN OF THE BIKE AFTER WARRANTY REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10513595
Incident
May 19, 2013
Mileage
560 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Aug 10, 2012
WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. NO ACCIDENT OCCURED, BUT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DANGEROUSLY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE, THE WHOLE BIKE WOBBLING UNCONTROLLABLY. STEERING WAS ALSO COMPROMISED. SLOWLY PROCEEDED TO HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS HAD OCCURED WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE AND THAT IT WAS A "SPOKE LOOSENING" PROBLEM THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10470098
Incident
Aug 7, 2012
Mileage
1,500 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 28, 2012
I ENTERED INTERSTATE 12 AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. MY RECENTLY PURCHASED USED (2800 MILES) HERITAGE CLASSIC DEVELOPED A SEVERE WOBBLE AT AROUND 60 MPH. THE WOBBLE WORSENED AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STAY ON THE MOTORCYCLE. I ROLLED OFF THROTTLE AND ALLOWED THE MOTORCYCLE TO SLOW ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT BREAKING. THE WOBBLE SUBSIDED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE BIKE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAD HAPPENED TWICE EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT THIS WOBBLE EVENT WAS MUCH MORE SEVERE. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE HARLEY DEALERSHIP IN SLIDELL, LA. AND WAS TOLD THE SPOKES ON THE BACK RIM WERE LOOSE AND THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2012 HERITAGE CLASSICS. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD APPROX. 3200 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THIS EVENT AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND SMOOTH. RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, I DID FIND THIS TYPE OF EVENT IS WELL KNOWN ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO STAY ON THE BIKE, ALBEIT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, AND WAS NOT INJURED. THE WOBBLE WAS SEVERE ENOUGH IT COULD EASILY HAVE TURNED OUT MUCH DIFFERENT. I AM LUCKY. A WITNESS WHO WAS BEHIND ME STOPPED TO SEE IF I WAS OKAY AND STATED, "THAT LOOKED LIKE A WILD RIDE." I DON'T WANT TO EXPERIENCE THIS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AGAIN. SPOKES WERE TIGHTENED AND NO FURTHER WOBBLE DEVELOPED TODAY. THOUGH NOT NEW TO RIDING, I HAD PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM MIKE BRUNO'S HARLEY DAVIDSON IN SLIDELL 4 DAYS PREVIOUS TO THE EVENT AND TOOK POSSESSION OF THE MOTORCYCLE 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT. THOUGH I NOTICED A LOOSENESS IN THE REAR END WHEN I FIRST RODE THE BIKE, I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST A NEW BIKE WITH A NEW FEEL. I WAS WRONG, ALMOST PAINFULLY SO. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THE DEALERSHIP WAS VERY RESPONSIVE AND CONCERNED. ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE TO PREVENT INJURY AND POSSIBLE DEATH OF THE RIDER. *TR
NHTSA ID
10468117
Incident
Jul 27, 2012
Mileage
3,200 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 14, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported
THE SECOND TIME I RODE MY BRAND NEW 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SOFTAIL, THE KICKSTAND WAS LOWERED AND INEXPLICABLY BROKE OFF THE MOTORCYCLE CAUSING IT TO FALL OVER WHILE I WAS ASTRIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED OVER $3500 IN DAMAGES AND INJURY TO MY ELBOW. HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPANY HAS BEEN EXTREMELY UNRESPONSIVE REGARDING THIS INCIDENT AND IT HAS BEEN NECESSARY TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. THE HD COMPANY INSTRUCTED ME TO TURN A CLAIM INTO MY INSURANCE COMPANY WHICH I RELUCTANTLY DID AS I FELT HD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIRS. AFTER AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP HAD ORDERED PARTS (THAT CANNOT BE RETURNED), HD THEN STATED THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL REPAIRS BUT ONLY IF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT AN HD DEALER. THEY HAVE NOT SAID WHAT REPAIRS THEY WOULD PERFORM. IN THE MEANTIME, THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN A SHOP WAITING FOR HD TO INSPECT IT AND PRESENT THEIR FINDINGS FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS. WHEN ASKED TO SEND THE HD ENGINEER'S REPAIRS LIST AND THE ESTIMATE FROM THE LOCAL HD DEALER TO MY ATTORNEY, HD ORIGINALLY STATED THEY WOULD, THEN STATED THEY HAD ONLY THE ESTIMATE SENT BY THE INDEPENDENT SHOP. THE HD INSPECTOR FOUND ADDITIONAL DAMAGES (ALLUDED TO IN A COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE HD CONTACT PERSON AND MY ATTORNEY) BUT AS OF THIS MORNING, HD STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE A REPORT WRITTEN BY THEIR INSPECTOR-WHICH, FRANKLY, SEEMS HIGHLY UNLIKELY AND COULD INCLUDE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE INVOLVING SAFETY ISSUES. *JS
NHTSA ID
10458315
Incident
Mar 18, 2012
Mileage
160 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
M1490
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.
M1391A
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.
PAB1171
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.
M1490
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.
M1391A
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.
M1490
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.
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
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.