2012 Harley-Davidson Softail problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (1) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder (1) · Power Train (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2014-12-16 · campaign 14V794000 · 19,015 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (4)
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.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump 2014-06-18 · SB-M-1374 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
harley davidson: fuel pump were found to not have problems with staring or drivability issues, after being returned to manufacturer and diagnosis during pdi. model 2013-14 softail. *pe
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2014-04-14 · HD-TT-434 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
harley davidson: information regarding daymaker headlamp experiencing lower current on led headlamp compared to halogen headlamp. model 2011-13 softail, 2012-13 dyna. *pe
Equipment 2014-04-08 · HD-M-1366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
harley davidson: information regarding the efforts of retrieving the voltage regulator kits 0912, in the u.s. *pe
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2012-04-03 · SB-M-1322 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
harley davidson mc: information provided regarding the unsecured attachment of saddlebags on some motorcycle. model 2012 dyna fld, 2010-2012 softail cvo. *pe
What owners report
2015-06-25 · Wheels · 3,000 mi“upon deceleration, a wobble occurs in the rear tire. this problem has occurred 3 times now. the dealership has given the same answer all three times that the rear spokes have backed loose. …”
2014-10-27 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder · 1,200 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley davidson softail. while driving various speeds, the clutch failed. the vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the master cylinder and the clutch plates needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the master cylinder and …”
2013-06-11 · Power Train · 2 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley davidson fls slim motorcycle. the contact stated that the clutch cable was too long for the motorcycle and routed improperly. the contact added an accessory windshield, which pushed the cable to the bottom of the fender. the contact was concerned that the cable would become caught in it. the vehicle was taken to t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.