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 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.
Electrical System. Review the 1 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 →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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
4 reports
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2022
Tires
As I was stopped at a signal, a gentleman pulled up beside me that had been following me or approximately the last mile or two. He told me that my rear tire appeared to be wobbling. Upon further investigation I found there to be a defect in my tire. 2/3 of the tire are normal width but the other third is noticeably narrower. I h…
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As I was stopped at a signal, a gentleman pulled up beside me that had been following me or approximately the last mile or two. He told me that my rear tire appeared to be wobbling. Upon further investigation I found there to be a defect in my tire. 2/3 of the tire are normal width but the other third is noticeably narrower. I haven't ever seen an issue such as this, but it makes me wonder about the safety riding on a tire such as this. The tire I am speaking of is on my Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 custom and the tire is a Michelin Commander 2 size 180/ 65 B16. I believe that this has to be a manufacturer defect because I have never seen an issue or heard of an issue like this before. I will upload photos to back my story.
NHTSA ODI #11463964
25,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Engine
FAULTY ENGINE. NEEDS COMPLETE REBUILD. BIKE WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. HARLEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE FAULTY ENGINES BUT IGNORED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522284
7,000 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON XLC 1200. TECH'S COULD DISCOVER NO LEAKAGE IN THE BRAKE LINE. HD TECH'S COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. NOTED THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS UNSAFE AND TOTAL REPLACEMENT NEEDED. MOTORCYCLE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 9,000 MI. AND ALL SERVICES PERFORMED ON TIME. HD REFUSED FREE REPLACEMENT, DENIED …
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REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON XLC 1200. TECH'S COULD DISCOVER NO LEAKAGE IN THE BRAKE LINE. HD TECH'S COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. NOTED THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS UNSAFE AND TOTAL REPLACEMENT NEEDED. MOTORCYCLE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 9,000 MI. AND ALL SERVICES PERFORMED ON TIME. HD REFUSED FREE REPLACEMENT, DENIED RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361311
9,500 miles · Apr 22, 2009
Electrical System
TYPICAL MOTORCYCLE RIDING UNKNOWN FREQUENCY REPLACED CKP SENSOR I HAVE A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C MOTORCYCLE. ABOUT A WEEK AGO ,AFTER THE BIKE WAS WARMED UP,IT WOULD STALL AT INTERSECTIONS AND BACKFIRE AND OFTEN DIE AS YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHILE TURNING. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE BIKE RUNNING IS …
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TYPICAL MOTORCYCLE RIDING UNKNOWN FREQUENCY REPLACED CKP SENSOR I HAVE A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C MOTORCYCLE. ABOUT A WEEK AGO ,AFTER THE BIKE WAS WARMED UP,IT WOULD STALL AT INTERSECTIONS AND BACKFIRE AND OFTEN DIE AS YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHILE TURNING. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE BIKE RUNNING IS TO REV IT TO A HIGH LEVEL,WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS ,PARTICULARLY WHILE TURNING. WASN'T INJURED BUT CAME VERY CLOSE TO GETTING RUN OFF SEVERAL TIMES ON THE WAY HOME. I HAD TO JOIN A MOTORCYCLE FORUM TO ACTUALLY DISCOVER WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AS IT TURNS OUT,2004,2005 AND 2006 XL1200C SPORTSTERS HAVE ALL BEEN AFFLECTED WITH THE RANDOM PART FAILURE AND I KNOW ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED BY THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF THIS FAULTY PART. MANY MEMBERS ON THE FORUM HAVE CHANGED THIS PART ONLY TO HAVE THE NEW REPLACEMENT FAIL IN 2000 MILES OR SO. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO FAIL AND THERE ARE NO SIGNS THAT A FAILURE IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I FEEL LIKE HARLEY DAVIDSON NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266432
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.
2005 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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