2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
What could happen: THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
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 2012 FLTRX.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 11V506000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-414-343-4056.
- 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: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Consequence: THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Notes: HARLEY-DAVIDSON SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 0145. CUSTOMERS OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (4), Electrical system (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Brakes (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
06/23/2015 · Electrical system
WHILE RIDING ON MY 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE MOTORCYCLE IT SUDDENLY DIED. IT DIED BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS NOT BEING CHARGED; THEREFORE MY ELECTRONICS WOULD NOT WORK, INCLUDING THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE VOLTAGE REGULATOR THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO HARLEY. THIS DEFECTIVE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IS PART OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON?S PR…
05/31/2015 · Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY 101 SOUTH BETWEEN METCALF & BAILEY HERE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YESTERDAY AFTERNOON (5/30) ON MY HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE 2015 THAT HAS LESS THAN 300 MILES. I WAS IN THE 2ND LANE TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH AND MY BIKE STARTED TO RIDE VERY ROUGH, I WAS LOSING SPEED VERY FAST. I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE 3RD LANE BEFORE THE BIKE COMPL…
07/16/2014 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REPLACING A CURVED WINDSHIELD, THE CONTACT'S VISION BECAME DISTORTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OBJECTS APPEARED CLOSER THAN THEY ACTUALLY WERE AND THE LINES ON THE HIGHWAY APPEARED IN A ZIGZAG SHAPE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…
09/18/2012 · Wheels / tires
I WAS CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE ON MY MOTORCYCLE TIRES WHEN I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE DRY ROT. I THEN STARTED CHECKING ON VARIOUS FORUMS FOR HARLEY RIDERS AND NOTICED THAT OTHERS WERE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CHANGED TIRES WITHOUT QUESTION. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM ON FACTORY INSTALLED DUNLOP TIRES ON 201…
09/18/2012 · Wheels / tires
THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM HAVING DRY ROT CRACKING ON NEW DUNLOP TIRES. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH DRY ROT CRACKING AT 7170 MILES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE NEW TIRE WAS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING WITH ONLY 8132 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS NEW TIRE ONLY LASTED 962 MILES BEFORE SH…
08/21/2012 · Lights
ON 21 JUNE 2012, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD WHEN I STRUCK A POTHOLE IN THE ROADWAY. WHEN I STRUCK THE POTHOLE, THE LEFT BRAKELIGHT/TURN SIGNAL LENS COVER FELL OUT OF IT'S SOCKET AND ONTO THE ROADWAY. ON 20 AUGUST 2012, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THIS TIME THE RIGHT BRAKELIGHT/TURN SIGNAL LENS COVER FELL OUT OF IT'S SOCKET. I DID NOT HIT A POTHOL…
08/14/2012 · Engine
THE EXCESSIVE HEAT PUT OFF BY THE HEADER PIPE DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS CAUSING BLISTERS ON THE RIGHT DRIVERS THIGH(BACK OF LEG) AND PASSENGER'S RIGHT SHIN. THE HEAT PUT OFF BY THIS SET UP TO EXCESSIVE. WHETHER YOU ARE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT OR MOVING DOWN THE ROAD THE HEAT IS EXCESSIVE. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS A PROBLEM AND IT IS COMMON ON 2010 TO PRES…