Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 25, 2022
MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH DOESN'T WORK ON THE FOOT BRAKE AND IT STAYS ON, ON THE HAND BRAKE. I HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ON HARLEYS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11462154
- Incident
- Nov 15, 2020
2012 Harley-Davidson Flstfb
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 Apr 25, 2022
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Flstfb, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and exterior lighting categories. 20 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
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 1 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 2 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 3 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 4 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 5 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes360.0%
- Driver assistance120.0%
- Exterior lighting120.0%
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
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
Brakes
Filed Aug 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTFB. WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS AT THE DEALER (M & S HARLEY-DAVIDSON, 160 FALLING SPRING ROAD, CHAMBERSBURG, PA 17202, 717-709-9650) FOR ROUTINE BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED, AND THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD MOISTURE AND CORROSION. THE FRONT MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS KEPT IN A GARAGE WITH A DEHUMIDIFIER AND WAS CLIMATE CONTROLLED; THEREFORE, THE CYLINDER SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V076000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,416.
- NHTSA ID
- 11115399
- Incident
- Jul 24, 2018
- Mileage
- 3,416 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 12, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported
I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON AT A HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP IN CORITH, TX. SOON AFTER FOUND THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS COMING ON. I HAD TAKEN IT BACK TO THEM TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT. STILL HAD ISSUES AND HAD THEM LOOK AGAIN. I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH IT SINCE. ALSO TOOK IT TO HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP IN SHERMAN, TX. THEY HAD IT FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THEY SAID THEY REPLACED A WIRE. STILL HAVING ISSUES TOLD THEM ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES. LITTLE OVER A WEEK AGO I HAD A WRECK IN A TURN BECAUSE MY BACK TIRE KEPT LOCKING UP AND SKIDDING. I HAD A FRIEND FOLLOWING ME THAT SEEN IT. NOW THEY TELL ME IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT $11,000.00 FOR REPAIRS FROM THE WRECK. THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR IT AND ARE TRYING TO BLAME ME. ASKING ME IF I DID THE TWO YEAR BRAKE LINE FLUSH AND ASKED ME WHY I WAS RIDING IT IF ABS WASN'T WORKING. I NEED HELP. AT THE COST OF REPAIRS THE BIKE MAY BE TOTALED. IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME I KEEP THIS BIKE. MY OLDER BROTHER PASSED AWAY IN 2012. I WAS RIDING NORMAL JUST WANTING TO RELAX AFTER HAVING OPEN HEART SURGERY IN MARCH. I JUST WANT MY BIKE FIXED AND FEEL SAFE TO RIDE IT. I THINK I'VE PAID ENOUGH TO GET THAT. THANK YOU
- NHTSA ID
- 11101536
- Incident
- May 27, 2018
- Mileage
- 4,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 2013
WHEN THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS NEW, AFTER SITTING IN MY GARAGE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE HANDLEBARS. I COULD PUMP IT UP AND IT WOULD BE OK UNTIL IT SET FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, NO BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL THEY DID BUT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. TODAY I ROLLED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE, @ 3851 MILES, AND PUMPED THE LEVER. ON THE SECOND PULL, THE BOLT INTO THE MASTER CYLINDER, WITH A BANJO FITTING, BLEW OUT AND BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED ALL OVER AND, OBVIOUSLY, NO BRAKE. THE THREADS IN THE MASTER CYLINDER APPEAR TO BE STRIPPED AND I CANNOT TIGHTEN THE BANJO FITTING. I HAVE READ THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF HAVING TO PUMP UP THE BRAKES ON THAT YEAR HARLEY DAVIDSON. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10508979
- Incident
- Oct 24, 2011
- Mileage
- 200 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 15, 2012
I'VE PURCHASED A 2012 H. D. FAT BOY. AFTER 1200 MILES, I'VE NOTICED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLES CONSTANTLY CONTACT AGAINST THE NACELLE AND CAUSE CABLE CHAFE AND NACELLE DAMAGE. I DID MU OWN INVESTIGATION AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS AMONG ALL SOFT TAIL MODELS. I CONTACTED HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THEY HAVE REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF NOT FIXED COULD RESULT IN SAFETY, CAUSING THROTTLE TO LOCK AT HIGH SPEED. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10470799
- Incident
- Jul 2, 2012
- Mileage
- 1,200 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.
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.
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.
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.