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 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. 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
21,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Engine
MY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE THE MOTOR LOCKED UP, CAUSING A SKID, THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS BUT HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, OR HURT FOR LIFE. THE REASON THE MOTOR LOCKED UP WAS BECAUSE SCREWS FROM THE AIR FILTER VIBRATED LOSE AND WERE SUCKED INTO THE MOTOR CAUSING THE MOTOR TO LOCK UP. HA…
Read full complaint
MY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE THE MOTOR LOCKED UP, CAUSING A SKID, THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS BUT HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, OR HURT FOR LIFE. THE REASON THE MOTOR LOCKED UP WAS BECAUSE SCREWS FROM THE AIR FILTER VIBRATED LOSE AND WERE SUCKED INTO THE MOTOR CAUSING THE MOTOR TO LOCK UP. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VIBRATIONS, SO PUTTING SCREWS IN A PLACE THAT CAN BE SUCKED INTO THE MOTOR IS A FLAW, AND THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED. THESE SCREWS CAN'T BEEN SEEN, AND THE DRIVER HAS NO IDEA THEY MAY BE LOSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493098
6,580 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE. NEAR WRECK WITH STOPPING CAR. CANNOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALER CANNOT GET REPAIR PARTS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT IS GETTING WORSE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT GETTING MORE FREQUENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10167853
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SAFETY RECALL ON 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER1200R--- DEFECTIVE FRONT MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON 7/05/06. PROMISED RECALL KIT BY 7/10/06. AS OF TODAY ( 8/23/06 ) DEALER HAS STILL NOT RECEIVED RECALL KIT RESULTING IN ME DRIVING AN UNSAFE MOTORCYCLE!!! I WANT MY BIKE FIXED NOW!!!*JB
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.
2005 HARLEY-DAVIDSON Sportster 1200R Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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