SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2005 Buell XB12R

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
7Owner complaints

Model-year median: 5.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
7
20047
20054
2006
Compare all XB12R years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Exterior Lighting
6Fuel System, Gasoline
1

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
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 …

Read full complaint

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

Official recalls

1

05V148000 · Structure:motorcycle:kickstand/center Stand

Apr 14, 2005

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.