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: 4 of 4 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reports
13,400 miles · May 28, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, BUT THE BRAKES LOCKED AND NEVER UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP ON ITS SIDE AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. THE CUR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, BUT THE BRAKES LOCKED AND NEVER UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP ON ITS SIDE AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,400. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF UPDATED *JB
NHTSA ODI #10229060
17,365 miles · Aug 25, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V201000, REGARDING THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10166552
400 miles · Aug 4, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED NHTSA RECALL LETTER, #06V201000 WAS RECEIVED REGARDING THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXHIBITED PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE RECALL DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #10164537
3,500 miles · Aug 3, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED PERTAINING TO THE FRONT MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE BACK BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT WARN VEHICLES TRAVELING FROM BEHIND THE MOTORCYCLE THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO STOP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERS FOR REPAIRS AND THE …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED PERTAINING TO THE FRONT MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE BACK BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT WARN VEHICLES TRAVELING FROM BEHIND THE MOTORCYCLE THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO STOP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERS FOR REPAIRS AND THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR OVER TWO MONTHS FOR REMEDY ON THE RECALL.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FRONT MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE LUBRICATION ON THE SECONDARY CUP. THIS COULD CAUSE THE SLIDING RESISTANCE OF THE PISTON TO BE EXCESSIVE, WHICH IN TURN COULD CAUSE THE RETURN OF THE PISTON TO BE SLOW UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE PISTON MAY NOT RETURN COMPLETELY. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT COULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH OR INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REBUILD THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
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.
2004 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Sportster 1200R Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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