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: 3 of 3 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.
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. 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
3 reports
6,250 miles · Mar 4, 2009
Electrical System
MOTORCYCLE STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND AT LIGHTS. THROTTLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BIKE WOULD BACKFIRE AND NOT IDLE. AT 6250 MILES SIX WIRES FROM THE ECM HARNESS RUBBED THE SHARP METAL SHOCK FLUID LINE AND SHORTED OUT THE COIL, TPS, O2 SENSOR AND INJECTORS. THE BIKE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. DEALER RESOLDER…
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MOTORCYCLE STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND AT LIGHTS. THROTTLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BIKE WOULD BACKFIRE AND NOT IDLE. AT 6250 MILES SIX WIRES FROM THE ECM HARNESS RUBBED THE SHARP METAL SHOCK FLUID LINE AND SHORTED OUT THE COIL, TPS, O2 SENSOR AND INJECTORS. THE BIKE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. DEALER RESOLDERED HARNESS. THIS IS THE SECOND RUB THROUGH HARNESS PROBLEM. ENGINE HARNESS WAS COVERED WITH ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND SHARP FLUID LINE WAS COVERED WITH RUBBER FUEL LINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260706
4,925 miles · Dec 10, 2008
Electrical System
REMOVED SEAT AND NOTICED HARNESS TO ECM CHAFFING ON SEAT. PROBLEM COULD CAUSE ENGINE NOT TO RUN. WIRE HARNESS FELT WAS RUBBED COMPLETELY THROUGH EXPOSING MULTIPLE COPPER WIRES IN HARNESS. MILEAGE OF MOTORCYCLE IS 4925. CAUSE IS HARNESS VIBRATES AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF UNDERSIDE OF SEAT. DEALER STATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. …
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REMOVED SEAT AND NOTICED HARNESS TO ECM CHAFFING ON SEAT. PROBLEM COULD CAUSE ENGINE NOT TO RUN. WIRE HARNESS FELT WAS RUBBED COMPLETELY THROUGH EXPOSING MULTIPLE COPPER WIRES IN HARNESS. MILEAGE OF MOTORCYCLE IS 4925. CAUSE IS HARNESS VIBRATES AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF UNDERSIDE OF SEAT. DEALER STATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER REPAIRED HARNESS AND SECURED HARNESS TO A LOWER POSITION WITH TIE STRAPS. NO KNOWN SOLUTION FROM BUELL HAS BEEN RELEASED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251273
3,800 miles · Aug 31, 2007
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUELL XB12S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS UP TO 130 MPH, THE KICKSTAND ALMOST DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN RIDING AROUND CURVES, THE KICKSTAND PROTRUDED AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RIDE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND, WHEN HE PROPPED UP THE VEHICLE WITH THE KICKSTAND, IT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUELL XB12S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS UP TO 130 MPH, THE KICKSTAND ALMOST DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN RIDING AROUND CURVES, THE KICKSTAND PROTRUDED AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RIDE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND, WHEN HE PROPPED UP THE VEHICLE WITH THE KICKSTAND, IT FELL FORWARD. THE DEALER RETORCHED THE BOLTS, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS WAS DONE IMPROPERLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT LOCK THE BOLTS TIGHTLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800.
NHTSA ODI #10201606
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
2006 Buell XB12S Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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