Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
29,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
IGNITION FUSE BLEW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN PAST 2 YEARS CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO QUIT IN TRAFFIC, INSPECTED WIRING HARNESS REPLACED FUSE, NO DEFECTS NOTED. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE MOTORCYCLE DIED, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BUT REPLACING THE FUSE DIDN'T HELP, IT BLEW AGAIN UPON TURNING THE IGNITION …
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IGNITION FUSE BLEW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN PAST 2 YEARS CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO QUIT IN TRAFFIC, INSPECTED WIRING HARNESS REPLACED FUSE, NO DEFECTS NOTED. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE MOTORCYCLE DIED, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BUT REPLACING THE FUSE DIDN'T HELP, IT BLEW AGAIN UPON TURNING THE IGNITION KEY. HAD IT TOWED HOME AND AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING THE FAILURE, I TRACED IT TO A CHAFED WIRE ON THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND IT TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON FAILURE. LUCKILY THE TANK WAS FULL OF FUEL OR A POSSIBLE EXPLOSION COULD HAVE OCCURRED (THINK TWA FLIGHT 800) MOST FAILURES OCCUR OUTSIDE WARRANTY ALTHOUGH HARLEY DAVIDSON/BUELL HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE SITUATION, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10394197
5,100 miles · Oct 16, 2007
Exterior Lighting
REFLECTIVE COATING IN HEADLIGHT HOUSING GETS HOT AND CHANGES COLOR. HEADLIGHT OUTPUT IS DIMINISHED AND NIGHT TIME VISIBLITY DETERIORATES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10205871
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2007
Exterior Lighting
FAILURE OF REFLECTIVE COATING INSIDE OF HEADLIGHT PROJECTOR, DIMMING OF HEADLIGHT NOTICEABLE AT 5,000 MILES, TOOK APART THE PROJECTOR AND NOTICED DEGRADATION (CHARRING) OF REFLECTIVE MATERIAL, NOW AT 17,000 MILES (8 MONTHS) THE LOW BEAM HOUSING DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD ENOUGH FOR SAFE TRAVEL AT NIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10191971
7,719 miles · May 29, 2007
Exterior Lighting
ON MY MODEL YEAR 2005 BUELL MODEL XB12R THE REFLECTORS ON MY HEADLIGHTS ARE MELTING.THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE ON THE LOW BEAM ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT OF THIS MELTING AND DEGRADATION THE PROJECTED BEAM IS DANGEROUSLY LOW. IT IS NOW DIFFICULT TO USE AFTER DARK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10191940
8,600 miles · Mar 17, 2007
Exterior Lighting
HEADLAMPS HAD BECOME EXTREMELY DIM OVER TIME. RE-AIMING WAS ATTEMPTED AS WAS NEW BULBS, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED. FINALLY I DISSASEMBLED THE LAMP HOUSING AND FOUND THAT THE REFLECTIVE COATING WAS GONE AND THAT THERE WAS MELTING OCCURING ON THE INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC HOUSING! SEEMS LIKE A POSSIBLE FIRE CONCERN.
NHTSA ODI #10185379
4,800 miles · Feb 22, 2007
Exterior Lighting
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 BUELL XB12R MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT COATING AND LIGHT LENSES DEGRADING DUE TO HEAT AND POOR MATERIALS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE DEGRADATION BEGAN THE LIGHT OUTPUT WAS SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACE DONCE UNDER WARRANTY ON 06/2006. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWAR…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 BUELL XB12R MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT COATING AND LIGHT LENSES DEGRADING DUE TO HEAT AND POOR MATERIALS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE DEGRADATION BEGAN THE LIGHT OUTPUT WAS SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACE DONCE UNDER WARRANTY ON 06/2006. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, BUT CONTINUED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS WITH THE SME UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN FAILING. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HE HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING THE ROAD IN FRONT OF HIM DUE TO THESE HEADLIGHTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4800, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5600.*AK UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10183256
4,800 miles · Feb 22, 2007
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT ISSUES ON 2005 BUELL XB12R MOTORCYCLE. REFLECTIVE COATING AND LIGHT LENSES DEGRADING DUE TO HEAT AND POOR MATERIALS. ONCE DEGRADATION BEGINS, HEADLAMP LIGHT OUTPUT IS SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED. MY LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. IT APPEARS THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF THIS DEFECT, BUT CONTINUES …
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HEADLIGHT ISSUES ON 2005 BUELL XB12R MOTORCYCLE. REFLECTIVE COATING AND LIGHT LENSES DEGRADING DUE TO HEAT AND POOR MATERIALS. ONCE DEGRADATION BEGINS, HEADLAMP LIGHT OUTPUT IS SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED. MY LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. IT APPEARS THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF THIS DEFECT, BUT CONTINUES TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS WITH THE SAME UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN FAILING. *NM
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE SIDESTAND MAY NOT RETRACT AS DESIGNED IF CONTACT IS MADE WITH THE GROUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD, IN TURN, DISRUPT THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE LEADING TO A CRASH, CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND PIVOT BOLT WITH A SIMILAR BOLT THAT IS .100 INCH LONGER FREE OF CHARGE. THIS CHANGE WILL ALLOW THE SIDESTAND TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 Buell XB12R Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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