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: 2 of 2 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 1 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 →
Fuel/propulsion System. 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
2 reports
24,550 miles · Apr 8, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
I HAVE A 2009 BUELL ULYSSES THAT HAS AN INTERMITTENT CEL THAT OCCURRED WHILE RIDING ~50MPH (STEADY) ON HWY 89 S/B IN PRESCOTT VALLEY. WHEN THIS OCCURED, THE IDLE BECAME ERRATIC & POWER DROPPED NOTICEABLY. THE BIKE NOW SHOWS DTC 'FUEL PUMP SHORT TO GND ' DTC 33-1-3'. JUST A LITTLE BIT OF ON-LINE RESEARCH LEADS ME TO WHAT SEEMS …
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I HAVE A 2009 BUELL ULYSSES THAT HAS AN INTERMITTENT CEL THAT OCCURRED WHILE RIDING ~50MPH (STEADY) ON HWY 89 S/B IN PRESCOTT VALLEY. WHEN THIS OCCURED, THE IDLE BECAME ERRATIC & POWER DROPPED NOTICEABLY. THE BIKE NOW SHOWS DTC 'FUEL PUMP SHORT TO GND ' DTC 33-1-3'. JUST A LITTLE BIT OF ON-LINE RESEARCH LEADS ME TO WHAT SEEMS TO BE A WELL-KNOWN & SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED MANY OTHER BUELL OWNERS; HTTP://WWW.BADWEATHERBIKERS.COM/BUELL/MESSAGES/142838/227943.HTML HTTP://BADWEATHERBIKERS.COM/BUELL/MESSAGES/142838/687395.HTML?1342928158 ). THE ROOT CAUSE IS WIRING INSIDE THE FUEL TANK THAT RUBS/CHAFES ON A 90O EDGE OF THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING; HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?Q=BUELL+FUEL+PUMP+WIRES+CHAFING&RLZ=1C1SQJL_ENUS888US888&BIW=1422&BIH=678&TBM=ISCH&SOURCE=IU&ICTX=1&FIR=LLRV44I8AFNWWM%252CMYSTFULWUW0ZKM%252C_&VET=1&USG=AI4_-KSZODRS7RCBJJHFHZZY-3QRZB32VA&SA=X&VED=2AHUKEWJO7PKLIDVVAHWKZM0KHSD6A_IQ9QF6BAGPEAE#IMGRC=LLRV44I8AFNWWM HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?Q=BUELL+FUEL+PUMP+WIRES+CHAFING&RLZ=1C1SQJL_ENUS888US888&BIW=1422&BIH=678&TBM=ISCH&SOURCE=IU&ICTX=1&FIR=LLRV44I8AFNWWM%252CMYSTFULWUW0ZKM%252C_&VET=1&USG=AI4_-KSZODRS7RCBJJHFHZZY-3QRZB32VA&SA=X&VED=2AHUKEWJO7PKLIDVVAHWKZM0KHSD6A_IQ9QF6BAGPEAE#IMGRC=LLRV44I8AFNWWM&IMGDII=S7PGVQR3CIP4-M ). OBVIOUSLY, I NEED MY MOTORCYCLE TO BE SAFE & WANT IT FIXED PROPERLY. IF NHTSA NEEDS AN EXAMPLE TO PROVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE TO HARLEY DAVIDSON, I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO BRING THE BIKE TO A CENTRAL OR NORTHERN ARIZONA HD DEALER FOR FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT WITH AN OE COUNTER-MEASURED PART.
NHTSA ODI #11407054
3,800 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
2009 BUELL XB-12X MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE STOPPAGE BROUGHT ON BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WITH ONLY A PARTIAL TANK OF FUEL SEEMS TO RESULT IN THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP OVERHEATING OR OVERLOADING, RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. M…
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2009 BUELL XB-12X MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE STOPPAGE BROUGHT ON BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WITH ONLY A PARTIAL TANK OF FUEL SEEMS TO RESULT IN THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP OVERHEATING OR OVERLOADING, RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. MY 2009 BUELL XB-12X HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN THREE TIMES, RESULTING IN MY BEING STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AVOIDING A CRASH. REPLACING THE FUSE IS A TEMPORARY FIX. ACCORDING THE BUELL WEB SITE (BADWEATHERBIKERS.COM) IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL MOTORCYCLE THAT CAN RESULT IN A CRASH OR INJURY. HARLEY DAVIDSON (THE PARENT COMPANY) SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES AND INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS THAT DO NOT OVERHEAT OR OVERLOAD THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407192
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.
2009 Buell XB12X Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year