RoadVitals

2012 Harley-Davidson Vrscdx

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 28, 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.
1
Latest Oct 18, 2012
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

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Vrscdx, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 11 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes360.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%

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
12V503000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 18, 2012
2,798 units potentially affected
The defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all model year 2012 and certain model year 2013 VRSCDX motorcycles manufactured from June 14, 2011, through August 1, 2012. The license plate bracket assembly's mounting screws may loosen and the assembly may separate from the rear fender. This condition may lead to contact with the rear tire which could cause the license plate bracket to rotate, possibly damaging the rear brake line.
The risk: If the license plate bracket contact with the rear brake line remains undetected, it may affect rear brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash, which could lead to injury or death of the rider.
The remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any affected motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 6, 2012. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 0148View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Apr 28, 2018

THERE IS A KNOWN FAILURE OF THE ABS MODULES ON THE 2008-2011 MODEL BIKES. I BELIEVE MY ABS MODULE HAS FAILED. THE FRONT BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE HANDLE WILL NOT MOVE. THIS HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER START UP WHILE MOVING ON MY DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 10MPH. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE WITH THE REAR BRAKE.THIS RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2012 MODEL YEAR.

NHTSA ID
11090785
Incident
Apr 15, 2018
Mileage
7,249 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 11, 2017

I HAVE A 2012 HARLEY DAVISON V-ROD NIGHT SPECIAL WITH ABS BREAKING SYSTEM INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THIS IS NOT AN AFTERMARKET SYSTEM. THE FRONT BREAK LEAVER IS HARD AS A ROCK. YOU CAN`T SQUEEZE THE BREAK HANDLE TO APPLY FRONT BREAKS. THERE IS NO BYPASS BUILT INTO THE BREAK SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS BREAKS TO ACT AS A MANUAL BREAKING SYSTEM. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEIR WAS NO RECALL ON THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS BIKE AND IF I WANTED TO BRING MY MOTORCYCLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT FOR $110.00 AN HOUR THE WOULD CHECK THE SYSTEM. THEY SAID THAT IT COULD BE THE ELECTRONIC ABS MODULE OR THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THAT IT WOULD BE $ 480.00 IF IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC MODULE PLUS LABOR. THIS IS A LARGE MOTORCYCLE WITH NO FRONT BREAKS. (WHICH DO 75-80 PERCENT OF THE STOPPING FOR THE MOTORCYCLE AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I KNOW THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON EARLY MODELS OF THIS CYCLE. I CHECKED ON-LINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT LOTS OF HARLEY DAVISON MODELS WITH THE FACTORY ABS SYSTEM. COULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID
11004308
Incident
Jun 28, 2017
Mileage
3,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 2, 2016

REAR BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT BE ENGAGED , SOLID AS A ROCK,NO REAR BRAKES PRESURE. HAS ABS SYSTEM. HAPPENED WHILE LEAVING MY HOUSE, LOOKS LIKE THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT REAR BRAKE VALVE IS IN THE SHUT POSITION PREVENTING HYDRAULIC OIL TO THE REAR BRAKE.ABS LIGHT WORKING NOMAL.

NHTSA ID
10853107
Incident
Mar 27, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Jan 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCDX (NIGHT ROD). THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NON FUNCTIONAL AND FAILED TO READ THE AMOUNT OF FUEL WITHIN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.

NHTSA ID
10671776
Incident
Jun 20, 2014
Mileage
2,200 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2012
Crash reported

THROTTLE STUCK ON MY 2012 V-ROD NIGHT ROD SPECIAL. THE BIKE HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE THROTTLE STUCK I COULD NOT MOVE IT EITHER DIRECTION. I N TRYING TO SLOW THE BIKE I LOST CONTROL AND WRECKED THE BIKE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10453713
Incident
Mar 24, 2012
Mileage
100 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

Harley-Davidson Vrscdx by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016200—
2015100—
2014600—
2013110—
2012Viewing510—
2011211—
2010211—
2009311—
2008901—
2007180039.6

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.