2012 Harley-Davidson Softail recalls and problems

The 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail has 1 recall and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is power train.

How the 2012 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 12 Softail model years — 7th most.

1recalls
3complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
1,200median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Service Brakes

Dec 16, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V794000 · 19,015 vehicles

Problem: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2012 FXST103, FLSTC, FLSTC103, FLSTF, FLSTF103, FXDL, FXDWG, FXDWG103, FXDC, FXDB, FLSTN, FLSTN103, FLSTC103Shrine, FLSTFB, FLSTFB103, FXS, FXS103, FLS, FLS103, FLD, FLD103, FXDF, and FXDF103 Dyna and Softail motorcycles manufactured August 22, 2011, through February 24, 2012. In the affected motorcycles, the threads for the brake line banjo bolt in the front brake master cylinder may corrode.

Risk: If the threads corrode, a sudden loss of brake fluid could result, causing a loss of the front brakes, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush and inspect the front brake master cylinder and, if necessary, replace the master cylinder, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 22, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0163 and 0164.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Power Train2
Service Brakes1
Wheels1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2013: 1 complaints201312014: 1 complaints20142015: 1 complaints20151

2012 vs. other Harley-Davidson Softail years

2000: 7 complaints200072001: 2 complaints20012002: 4 complaints20022003: 7 complaints20032004: 4 complaints20042005: 4 complaints20052007: 2 complaints20072008: 1 complaints20082010: 1 complaints20102011: 3 complaints20112012: 3 complaints20122013: 1 complaints20131

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2012. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail, the latest from Dec 16, 2014 (service brakes). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention power train (2), service brakes (1), wheels (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.