2002 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom Sportster recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MIRROR STEM COULD FRACTURE ALLOWING THE MIRROR TO FALL.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND PRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK OF CRASH, INJURY, OR DEATH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MIRRORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 1200 CUSTOM SPORTSTER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V058000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-414-342-4680.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Summary: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MIRROR STEM COULD FRACTURE ALLOWING THE MIRROR TO FALL.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND PRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK OF CRASH, INJURY, OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MIRRORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.
Notes: HARLEY-DAVIDSON RECALL NO. 0108. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2002 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom Sportster owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Lights (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
05/25/2010 · Lights
EXCESSIVE AND INFERIOR DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT BRACKET ON 2002 XL1200 SPORTSTER CAUSE THE INTERNAL BULB TO VIBRATE LOOSE AND GO OUT WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT NEARLY CAUSING A FATAL CRASH AS MULTIPLE VEHICLES PULLED OUT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE I REALIZED THAT I WAS NO LONGER VISIBLE TO OTHER VEHICLES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE…
06/19/2005 · Lights
STOCK HEADLIGHT WAS FITTED WITH MANUFACTURER'S OPTIONAL HEADLIGHT TRIM RING. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN JUNE 2002. EXCESSIVE HEADLIGHT MOVEMENT/VIBRATION WAS NOTICED ON 6/10/2005. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND THE MOUNTING BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE HEADLIGHT BUCKET WAS CRACKED 9/10TH'S ACROSS. I RODE IT VERY GINGERLY TO THE DEALER,POINTED THIS OUT, AND LE…