2012 Harley-Davidson Vrscdx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (3) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2012-10-18 · campaign 12V503000 · 2,798 vehicles
Defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all model year 2012 and certain model year 2013 VRSCDX motorcycles manufactured from June 14, 2011, through August 1, 2012. The license plate bracket assembly's mounting screws may loosen and the assembly may separate from the rear fender. This condition may lead to contact with the rear tire which could cause the license plate bracket to rotate, possibly damaging the rear brake line.
Risk: If the license plate bracket contact with the rear brake line remains undetected, it may affect rear brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash, which could lead to injury or death of the rider.
Fix: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any affected motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 6, 2012. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
Service bulletins (11)
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 11 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-04-28 · Service Brakes · 7,249 mi“there is a known failure of the abs modules on the 2008-2011 model bikes. i believe my abs module has failed. the front brake will not engage and the brake handle will not move. this happened shortly after start up while moving on my driveway at about 10mph. i was able to stop the bike with the rear brake.this recall should include the 2012 mod…”
2017-07-11 · Service Brakes · 3,500 mi“i have a 2012 harley davison v-rod night special with abs breaking system installed at the factory. this is not an aftermarket system. the front break leaver is hard as a rock. you can`t squeeze the break handle to apply front breaks. there is no bypass built into the break system that allows breaks to act as a manual breaking system. i contacted …”
2016-04-02 · Service Brakes“rear brake pedal cannot be engaged , solid as a rock,no rear brakes presure. has abs system. happened while leaving my house, looks like the abs hydraulic control unit rear brake valve is in the shut position preventing hydraulic oil to the rear brake.abs light working nomal.…”
2015-01-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 2,200 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley davidson vrscdx (night rod). the contact stated the fuel gauge was non functional and failed to read the amount of fuel within the tank. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 2,200.…”
2012-04-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 100 mi · 💥 crash“throttle stuck on my 2012 v-rod night rod special. the bike had less than 100 miles on it. when the throttle stuck i could not move it either direction. i n trying to slow the bike i lost control and wrecked the bike. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.