Buell XB12R recalls by model year
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
5,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 to 2009 model years. Data updated: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2004: 0; 2005: 1; 2006: 0; 2009: 1
Year-by-year records
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V148000 · Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand
Reported: 2005-04-14 (April 14, 2005) · Model years: 2005
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE SIDESTAND MAY NOT RETRACT AS DESIGNED IF CONTACT IS MADE WITH THE GROUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Consequence: THIS COULD, IN TURN, DISRUPT THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE LEADING TO A CRASH, CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND PIVOT BOLT WITH A SIMILAR BOLT THAT IS .100 INCH LONGER FREE OF CHARGE. THIS CHANGE WILL ALLOW THE SIDESTAND TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V109000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2009-04-02 (April 2, 2009) · Model years: 2009
BUELL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY IS RECALLING 3,316 MY 2008 1125R, MY 2009 XB12R AND XB12SCG MOTORCYCLES. THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES HAVE A FRONT BRAKE LINE WHICH MAY CONTACT THE FRONT TIRE. THE CONDITION COULD CAUSE A HOLE TO DEVELOP IN THE FRONT BRAKE LINE, ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MIGHT CAUSE AN INEFFECTIVE FRONT BRAKE, LEADING TO A POSSIBLE CRASH AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH OF THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE FRONT BRAKE LINE. IF DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE LINE HAS OCCURRED, THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY AT 1-414-343-8400.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
18 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 685.7%ODI 10181965 · 25,000 miTHE HEAD LAMPS ON MY 2004 BUELL XB12R HAVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE LAMP REFLECTOR, DEGRADE TO THE POINT THAT LIGHT OUTPUT BECOME DANGEROUSLY LOW FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A TWO HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. ONE LAMP IS USED FOR LOW BEAM THE OTHER FOR HIGH BEAM. THE LOW BEAM LAMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE THE BIKE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUG 2004. THE HIGH BEAM LAMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. I EXPECTED TO HAVE TO CONTINUE ANNUAL REPLACEMENT OF THE LAMP ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM… | 685.7%ODI 10183250 · 4,800 miHEADLIGHT ISSUES ON 2005 BUELL XB12R MOTORCYCLE. REFLECTIVE COATING AND LIGHT LENSES DEGRADING DUE TO HEAT AND POOR MATERIALS. ONCE DEGRADATION BEGINS, HEADLAMP LIGHT OUTPUT IS SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED. MY LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. IT APPEARS THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF THIS DEFECT, BUT CONTINUES TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS WITH THE SAME UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN FAILING. *NM | 4100.0%ODI 10182530 · 3,500 miLOW BEAM HEADLIGHT HAS GRADUALLY BECOME DIM. WHEN THE LIGHT WAS OPENED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SILVER COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE REFLECTOR HAS DEGRADED AND BLISTERED LEADING TO REDUCED LIGHT OUTPUT. THE REDUCED LIGHT OUTPUT PUTS THE RIDER AT RISK DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT REFLECTOR VIA A WARRANTY CLAIM THROUGH THE DEALER. *NM | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 114.3%ODI 10183309THE HEAD LAMPS ON MY 2004 BUELL XB12R ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT DUE TO DEGRADATION OF THE REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE LAMP REFLECTOR. THE REFLECTOR IS ACTUALLY RUBBING OFF, REDUCING THE OUTPUT OF THE LIGHT TO A POINT DANGEROUSLY INEFFECTIVE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THIS AFFECTS BOTH THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM ASSEMBLIES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, LEADING TO A POTENTIALITY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT. *JB | 114.3%ODI 10183256 · 4,800 miTL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 BUELL XB12R MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT COATING AND LIGHT LENSES DEGRADING DUE TO HEAT AND POOR MATERIALS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE DEGRADATION BEGAN THE LIGHT OUTPUT WAS SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACE DONCE UNDER WARRANTY ON 06/2006. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, BUT CONTINUED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS WITH THE SME UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN FAILING. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HE HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING THE ROAD IN FRONT OF HIM DUE TO THESE HEADLIGHTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. TH… | 125.0%ODI 10183303 · 5,000 miREFLECTIVE SURFACE INSIDE OF HEADLIGHTS HAS DEGRADED TO THE POINT THAT THE BIKE CANNOT BE SAFELY RIDDEN AFTER DARK. *JB | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting | 114.3%ODI 10227073 · 20,000 miLOW BEAM HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR LENS DETERIORATES IN JUST OVER ONE YEAR. NOT THE LENS ITSELF BUT THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10394197 · 29,000 miIGNITION FUSE BLEW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN PAST 2 YEARS CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO QUIT IN TRAFFIC, INSPECTED WIRING HARNESS REPLACED FUSE, NO DEFECTS NOTED. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE MOTORCYCLE DIED, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BUT REPLACING THE FUSE DIDN'T HELP, IT BLEW AGAIN UPON TURNING THE IGNITION KEY. HAD IT TOWED HOME AND AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING THE FAILURE, I TRACED IT TO A CHAFED WIRE ON THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND IT TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON FAILURE. LUCKILY THE TANK WAS FULL OF FUEL OR A POS… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4,800–7,719 mi | 5,000 mi | 13 | ODI 10181965 · 25,000 miTHE HEAD LAMPS ON MY 2004 BUELL XB12R HAVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE LAMP REFLECTOR, DEGRADE TO THE POINT THAT LIGHT OUTPUT BECOME DANGEROUSLY LOW FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A TWO HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. ONE LAMP IS USED FOR LOW BEAM THE OTHER FOR HIGH BEAM. THE LOW BEAM LAMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE THE BIKE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUG 2004. THE HIGH BEAM LAMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. I EXPECTED TO HAVE TO CONTINUE ANNUAL REPLACEMENT OF THE LAMP ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM… ODI 10183298 · 5,000 miON THE BUELL MOTORCYCLE XB9R AND XB12R THE HEADLIGHTS BECOME NON FUNCTIONAL AFTER ABOUT 1 YR OF USAGE. THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING REFLECTIVE MATERIAL TURNS TO POWDER DUE TO THE NATURAL HEAT FROM THE HEADLIGHT. *JB ODI 10183366 · 25,000 miTHE REFLECTIVE SURFACE ON THE HEAD LAMPS ON MY 2004 BUELL XB12R FIREBOLT HAVE DEGRADED TO THE POINT THAT THE LAMPS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | Too few reports for a range | 4,900 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10183256 · 4,800 miTL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 BUELL XB12R MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT COATING AND LIGHT LENSES DEGRADING DUE TO HEAT AND POOR MATERIALS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE DEGRADATION BEGAN THE LIGHT OUTPUT WAS SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACE DONCE UNDER WARRANTY ON 06/2006. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, BUT CONTINUED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS WITH THE SME UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN FAILING. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HE HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING THE ROAD IN FRONT OF HIM DUE TO THESE HEADLIGHTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. TH… ODI 10183303 · 5,000 miREFLECTIVE SURFACE INSIDE OF HEADLIGHTS HAS DEGRADED TO THE POINT THAT THE BIKE CANNOT BE SAFELY RIDDEN AFTER DARK. *JB |
| Exterior Lighting | Too few reports for a range | 20,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10227073 · 20,000 miLOW BEAM HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR LENS DETERIORATES IN JUST OVER ONE YEAR. NOT THE LENS ITSELF BUT THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL. *TR |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | Too few reports for a range | 29,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10394197 · 29,000 miIGNITION FUSE BLEW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN PAST 2 YEARS CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO QUIT IN TRAFFIC, INSPECTED WIRING HARNESS REPLACED FUSE, NO DEFECTS NOTED. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE MOTORCYCLE DIED, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BUT REPLACING THE FUSE DIDN'T HELP, IT BLEW AGAIN UPON TURNING THE IGNITION KEY. HAD IT TOWED HOME AND AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING THE FAILURE, I TRACED IT TO A CHAFED WIRE ON THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND IT TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON FAILURE. LUCKILY THE TANK WAS FULL OF FUEL OR A POS… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2006: 4 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Exterior Lighting:Headlights | Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | Exterior Lighting | Fuel System, Gasoline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | — | 3ODI 10183309THE HEAD LAMPS ON MY 2004 BUELL XB12R ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT DUE TO DEGRADATION OF THE REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE LAMP REFLECTOR. THE REFLECTOR IS ACTUALLY RUBBING OFF, REDUCING THE OUTPUT OF THE LIGHT TO A POINT DANGEROUSLY INEFFECTIVE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THIS AFFECTS BOTH THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM ASSEMBLIES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, LEADING TO A POTENTIALITY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT. *JB ODI 10183256 · 4,800 miTL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 BUELL XB12R MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT COATING AND LIGHT LENSES DEGRADING DUE TO HEAT AND POOR MATERIALS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE DEGRADATION BEGAN THE LIGHT OUTPUT WAS SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACE DONCE UNDER WARRANTY ON 06/2006. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, BUT CONTINUED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS WITH THE SME UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN FAILING. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HE HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING THE ROAD IN FRONT OF HIM DUE TO THESE HEADLIGHTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. TH… ODI 10183303 · 5,000 miREFLECTIVE SURFACE INSIDE OF HEADLIGHTS HAS DEGRADED TO THE POINT THAT THE BIKE CANNOT BE SAFELY RIDDEN AFTER DARK. *JB | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 3ODI 10183309THE HEAD LAMPS ON MY 2004 BUELL XB12R ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT DUE TO DEGRADATION OF THE REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE LAMP REFLECTOR. THE REFLECTOR IS ACTUALLY RUBBING OFF, REDUCING THE OUTPUT OF THE LIGHT TO A POINT DANGEROUSLY INEFFECTIVE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THIS AFFECTS BOTH THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM ASSEMBLIES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, LEADING TO A POTENTIALITY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT. *JB ODI 10183256 · 4,800 miTL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 BUELL XB12R MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT COATING AND LIGHT LENSES DEGRADING DUE TO HEAT AND POOR MATERIALS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE DEGRADATION BEGAN THE LIGHT OUTPUT WAS SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACE DONCE UNDER WARRANTY ON 06/2006. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, BUT CONTINUED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS WITH THE SME UNITS THAT HAVE BEEN FAILING. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HE HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING THE ROAD IN FRONT OF HIM DUE TO THESE HEADLIGHTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. TH… ODI 10183303 · 5,000 miREFLECTIVE SURFACE INSIDE OF HEADLIGHTS HAS DEGRADED TO THE POINT THAT THE BIKE CANNOT BE SAFELY RIDDEN AFTER DARK. *JB | — | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.