2012 Harley-Davidson Flstfb problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Exterior Lighting (1)
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (20)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-18 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 26.0.2): digital technician ii - updates and release notes. purpose: revision. this bulletin informs dealers that harley-davidson has made a software update to digital technician ii (dt ii). digital technician ii (part number: hd-48650). new software update version 26.0.2.
Unknown Or Other 2025-10-28 · M1391A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1391a (revu): midtronics grx-3110 and dca-8000 software. purporse: revision u. the purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the grx-3110 and dca-8000 is now available. dynamic diagnostic charger system (part number: dca-8000). [rev u] ad
Unknown Or Other 2025-10-25 · PAB1171 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
genuine motor parts and accessories bulletin pab1171 (rev b): software update for screamin eagle pro street tuner. purpose: revision b. updated: summary. the app has returned to the apple app store. this bulletin informs dealers that a recent software update to the screamin' eagle pro street tune
Unknown Or Other 2025-09-06 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 25.8.9): digital technician ii - updates and release notes. purpose: revision. this bulletin informs dealers that harley-davidson has made a software update to digital technician ii (dt ii). digital technician ii (part number: hd-48650). new software update version 25.8.9
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-26 · M1490 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1490 (v 25.8.7): digital technician ii - updates and release notes. purpose: revision. this bulletin informs dealers that harley-davidson has made a software update to digital technician ii (dt ii). digital technician ii (part number: hd-48650). new software update version 25.6.4,
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-26 · M1391A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin m1391a (rev t): midtronics grx-3110 and dca-8000 software. purporse: revision t. the purpose of this bulletin is to inform the dealer network that a software update to the grx-3110 and dca-8000 is now available. dynamic diagnostic charger system (part number: dca-8000). [rev t] u
Showing the 6 most recent of 20 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-04-25 · Exterior Lighting“my brake light switch doesn't work on the foot brake and it stays on, on the hand brake. i heard that there was a recall for this on harleys.…”
2018-08-02 · Service Brakes · 3,416 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley-davidson flstfb. while the motorcycle was at the dealer (m & s harley-davidson, 160 falling spring road, chambersburg, pa 17202, 717-709-9650) for routine brake fluid replacement maintenance, the contact was informed that the front master cylinder needed to be replaced. the dealer further stated that the brake flu…”
2018-06-12 · Service Brakes · 4,000 mi · 💥 crash“i purchased a new 2012 harley davidson at a harley davidson dealership in corith, tx. soon after found that the abs light was coming on. i had taken it back to them to have them check it. still had issues and had them look again. i've had issues with it since. also took it to harley davidson dealership in sherman, tx. they had it for about two week…”
2013-04-21 · Service Brakes · 200 mi“when this motorcycle was new, after sitting in my garage for a couple of days the front brake lever would go all the way to the handlebars. i could pump it up and it would be ok until it set for a couple of days, no brake fluid was leaking out. took it to the dealer and i don't know what all they did but the problem was still there. today i rolled …”
2012-08-15 · Vehicle Speed Control · 1,200 mi“i've purchased a 2012 h. d. fat boy. after 1200 miles, i've noticed that the throttle cables constantly contact against the nacelle and cause cable chafe and nacelle damage. i did mu own investigation and found out that the same problem exists among all soft tail models. i contacted harley davidson and they have refuse to fix the problem. if not…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.