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.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. 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
25,000 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200 LOW. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE ACCELERATED ABOUT 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING HIS ENGINE TO FAIL. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAIL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200 LOW. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE ACCELERATED ABOUT 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING HIS ENGINE TO FAIL. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN UPDATED 12/29/11 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10368417
556 miles · Jul 14, 2006
Exterior LightingPower Train
2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHA…
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2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY NOISY AND IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO VOICE HIS AND CONCERNS AND AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY DETERMINED THE METAL SHAVINGS AND THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT CANCEL. AFTER A FEW MORE DAYS OF RIDING THE BIKE, THE TURN SIGNAL CAME ON BY ITSELF. *JB
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A CONDITION WHEREBY THE PANT LEG OF SOME RIDERS CAN HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE PANT LEG TO CHAR OR BURN, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A NEW EXHAUST SHIELD WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OFTHE EXHAUST PIPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2007. 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.
2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200L Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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