Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
5,113 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 to 2006 model years. Data updated: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 10 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues
3
30.0%
Engine operation
1
10.0%
Braking behavior
1
10.0%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
8
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
8
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2004
1
2006
1
2007
6
2008
1
2009
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2004
1
2006
1
2007
6
2008
1
2009
1
2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 6; 2008: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
I AM REPORTING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 BUELL XB12S MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE OBSERVED THIS SAME SITUATION ON ALL SIMILAR BIKES THAT I HAVE LOOKED AT. UNDER THE SEAT, THE ECM CABLE HARNESS RESTS AGAINST THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND THERE ARE SIGNS OF ABRASION FROM VIBRATION.*AK
WHILE RIDING MY 2004 BUELL XB12S MOTORCYCLE THOUGH THE ASM AMERICA, INC. PARKING LOT (3440 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE PHOENIX AZ 85034) AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM THE ON 07-19-06 THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED. THE MOTORCYCLE LOST ALL POWER AND I COASTED TO A STOP INTO A PARKING SPOT: 1.RIDING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH. 2.THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. 3.THE MOTORCYCLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED AS IF THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF INCLUDING LOSS OF HORN, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, REAR TAIL LI…
MOTORCYCLE STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND AT LIGHTS. THROTTLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BIKE WOULD BACKFIRE AND NOT IDLE. AT 6250 MILES SIX WIRES FROM THE ECM HARNESS RUBBED THE SHARP METAL SHOCK FLUID LINE AND SHORTED OUT THE COIL, TPS, O2 SENSOR AND INJECTORS. THE BIKE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. DEALER RESOLDERED HARNESS. THIS IS THE SECOND RUB THROUGH HARNESS PROBLEM. ENGINE HARNESS WAS COVERED WITH ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND SHARP FLUID LINE WAS COVERED WITH RUBBER FUEL LINE. *TR
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
10 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
80.0%Usable mileage8 / 10 records
100.0%Valid incident date10 / 10 records
100.0%Valid filing date10 / 10 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates10 / 10 records
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 complaint heatmap
Component
2004
2005
2006
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
571.4%ODI 10177963 · 5,300 mi
SILVER COATING ON HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RAPIDLY CAUSING POOR ILLUMINATION AND UNSAFE NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND REDUCING THE MOTORCYCLES VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY. I AM SURE THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS FAR BELOW DOT STANDARDS VEHICLE IS AN XB12R FIREBOLT, NOT AN XB12S. THE XB12R WAS NOT LISTED AS AN OPTION. *JB
WHILE RIDING MY 2004 BUELL XB12S MOTORCYCLE THOUGH THE ASM AMERICA, INC. PARKING LOT (3440 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE PHOENIX AZ 85034) AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM THE ON 07-19-06 THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED. THE MOTORCYCLE LOST ALL POWER AND I COASTED TO A STOP INTO A PARKING SPOT: 1.RIDING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH. 2.THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. 3.THE MOTORCYCLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED AS IF THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF INCLUDING LOSS OF HORN, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, REAR TAIL LI…
REMOVED SEAT AND NOTICED HARNESS TO ECM CHAFFING ON SEAT. PROBLEM COULD CAUSE ENGINE NOT TO RUN. WIRE HARNESS FELT WAS RUBBED COMPLETELY THROUGH EXPOSING MULTIPLE COPPER WIRES IN HARNESS. MILEAGE OF MOTORCYCLE IS 4925. CAUSE IS HARNESS VIBRATES AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF UNDERSIDE OF SEAT. DEALER STATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER REPAIRED HARNESS AND SECURED HARNESS TO A LOWER POSITION WITH TIE STRAPS. NO KNOWN SOLUTION FROM BUELL HAS BEEN RELEASED. *TR
SILVER COATING ON HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RAPIDLY CAUSING POOR ILLUMINATION AND UNSAFE NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND REDUCING THE MOTORCYCLES VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY. I AM SURE THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS FAR BELOW DOT STANDARDS VEHICLE IS AN XB12R FIREBOLT, NOT AN XB12S. THE XB12R WAS NOT LISTED AS AN OPTION. *JB
I AM REPORTING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 BUELL XB12S MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE OBSERVED THIS SAME SITUATION ON ALL SIMILAR BIKES THAT I HAVE LOOKED AT. UNDER THE SEAT, THE ECM CABLE HARNESS RESTS AGAINST THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND THERE ARE SIGNS OF ABRASION FROM VIBRATION.*AK
I AM REPORTING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 BUELL XB12S MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE OBSERVED THIS SAME SITUATION ON ALL SIMILAR BIKES THAT I HAVE LOOKED AT. UNDER THE SEAT, THE ECM CABLE HARNESS RESTS AGAINST THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND THERE ARE SIGNS OF ABRASION FROM VIBRATION.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUELL XB12S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS UP TO 130 MPH, THE KICKSTAND ALMOST DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN RIDING AROUND CURVES, THE KICKSTAND PROTRUDED AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RIDE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND, WHEN HE PROPPED UP THE VEHICLE WITH THE KICKSTAND, IT FELL FORWARD. THE DEALER RETORCHED THE BOLTS, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS WAS DONE IMPROPERLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT LOCK THE BOLTS TIGHTLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800.
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 failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Too few reports for a range
4,650 mi
4 (sparse)
ODI 10177963 · 5,300 mi
SILVER COATING ON HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RAPIDLY CAUSING POOR ILLUMINATION AND UNSAFE NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND REDUCING THE MOTORCYCLES VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY. I AM SURE THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS FAR BELOW DOT STANDARDS VEHICLE IS AN XB12R FIREBOLT, NOT AN XB12S. THE XB12R WAS NOT LISTED AS AN OPTION. *JB
THE COATING ON THE INSIDE OF MY HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS FALLING OFF, DRASTICALLY DECREASING LIGHT OUTPUT. I HAD THEM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ONCE FOR THIS ON 11/18/05, WITH 23870 MILES ON THE BIKE. I AM NOW HARDLY ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT AGAIN AND I AM SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN'T SEE ME AS WELL EITHER. *JB
HEADLIGHT ON BUELL MOTORCYCLES "R" MODELS (2004 TO CURRENT YEAR) DEGRADES OVER TIME. THE REFLECTIVE COATING MATERIAL IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING DEGRADES AND TURNS TO POWDER AND CAUSES THE HEADLIGHT TO BE UN-USEFUL. THE DEGRADE IS CAUSE BY HEAT FROM THE HEADLIGHT. FAILURE ISN'T CORRECTED AS OF TODAY. *JB
WHILE RIDING MY 2004 BUELL XB12S MOTORCYCLE THOUGH THE ASM AMERICA, INC. PARKING LOT (3440 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE PHOENIX AZ 85034) AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM THE ON 07-19-06 THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED. THE MOTORCYCLE LOST ALL POWER AND I COASTED TO A STOP INTO A PARKING SPOT: 1.RIDING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH. 2.THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. 3.THE MOTORCYCLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED AS IF THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF INCLUDING LOSS OF HORN, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, REAR TAIL LI…
REMOVED SEAT AND NOTICED HARNESS TO ECM CHAFFING ON SEAT. PROBLEM COULD CAUSE ENGINE NOT TO RUN. WIRE HARNESS FELT WAS RUBBED COMPLETELY THROUGH EXPOSING MULTIPLE COPPER WIRES IN HARNESS. MILEAGE OF MOTORCYCLE IS 4925. CAUSE IS HARNESS VIBRATES AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF UNDERSIDE OF SEAT. DEALER STATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER REPAIRED HARNESS AND SECURED HARNESS TO A LOWER POSITION WITH TIE STRAPS. NO KNOWN SOLUTION FROM BUELL HAS BEEN RELEASED. *TR
MOTORCYCLE STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND AT LIGHTS. THROTTLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BIKE WOULD BACKFIRE AND NOT IDLE. AT 6250 MILES SIX WIRES FROM THE ECM HARNESS RUBBED THE SHARP METAL SHOCK FLUID LINE AND SHORTED OUT THE COIL, TPS, O2 SENSOR AND INJECTORS. THE BIKE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. DEALER RESOLDERED HARNESS. THIS IS THE SECOND RUB THROUGH HARNESS PROBLEM. ENGINE HARNESS WAS COVERED WITH ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND SHARP FLUID LINE WAS COVERED WITH RUBBER FUEL LINE. *TR
SILVER COATING ON HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RAPIDLY CAUSING POOR ILLUMINATION AND UNSAFE NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND REDUCING THE MOTORCYCLES VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY. I AM SURE THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS FAR BELOW DOT STANDARDS VEHICLE IS AN XB12R FIREBOLT, NOT AN XB12S. THE XB12R WAS NOT LISTED AS AN OPTION. *JB
HEADLIGHT ON BUELL MOTORCYCLES "R" MODELS (2004 TO CURRENT YEAR) DEGRADES OVER TIME. THE REFLECTIVE COATING MATERIAL IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING DEGRADES AND TURNS TO POWDER AND CAUSES THE HEADLIGHT TO BE UN-USEFUL. THE DEGRADE IS CAUSE BY HEAT FROM THE HEADLIGHT. FAILURE ISN'T CORRECTED AS OF TODAY. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUELL XB12S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS UP TO 130 MPH, THE KICKSTAND ALMOST DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN RIDING AROUND CURVES, THE KICKSTAND PROTRUDED AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RIDE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND, WHEN HE PROPPED UP THE VEHICLE WITH THE KICKSTAND, IT FELL FORWARD. THE DEALER RETORCHED THE BOLTS, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS WAS DONE IMPROPERLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT LOCK THE BOLTS TIGHTLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800.
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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
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.
2005: 0 complaints · 2006: 2 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2005
0
0
0
2006
0
1
2
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2005
0
0
0
2006
3
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Electrical System
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Electrical System:Wiring
Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
—
0
2ODI 10177963 · 5,300 mi
SILVER COATING ON HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RAPIDLY CAUSING POOR ILLUMINATION AND UNSAFE NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND REDUCING THE MOTORCYCLES VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY. I AM SURE THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS FAR BELOW DOT STANDARDS VEHICLE IS AN XB12R FIREBOLT, NOT AN XB12S. THE XB12R WAS NOT LISTED AS AN OPTION. *JB
HEADLIGHT ON BUELL MOTORCYCLES "R" MODELS (2004 TO CURRENT YEAR) DEGRADES OVER TIME. THE REFLECTIVE COATING MATERIAL IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING DEGRADES AND TURNS TO POWDER AND CAUSES THE HEADLIGHT TO BE UN-USEFUL. THE DEGRADE IS CAUSE BY HEAT FROM THE HEADLIGHT. FAILURE ISN'T CORRECTED AS OF TODAY. *JB
SILVER COATING ON HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATES RAPIDLY CAUSING POOR ILLUMINATION AND UNSAFE NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND REDUCING THE MOTORCYCLES VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY. I AM SURE THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS FAR BELOW DOT STANDARDS VEHICLE IS AN XB12R FIREBOLT, NOT AN XB12S. THE XB12R WAS NOT LISTED AS AN OPTION. *JB
HEADLIGHT ON BUELL MOTORCYCLES "R" MODELS (2004 TO CURRENT YEAR) DEGRADES OVER TIME. THE REFLECTIVE COATING MATERIAL IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING DEGRADES AND TURNS TO POWDER AND CAUSES THE HEADLIGHT TO BE UN-USEFUL. THE DEGRADE IS CAUSE BY HEAT FROM THE HEADLIGHT. FAILURE ISN'T CORRECTED AS OF TODAY. *JB
I AM REPORTING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 BUELL XB12S MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE OBSERVED THIS SAME SITUATION ON ALL SIMILAR BIKES THAT I HAVE LOOKED AT. UNDER THE SEAT, THE ECM CABLE HARNESS RESTS AGAINST THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND THERE ARE SIGNS OF ABRASION FROM VIBRATION.*AK
I AM REPORTING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 BUELL XB12S MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE OBSERVED THIS SAME SITUATION ON ALL SIMILAR BIKES THAT I HAVE LOOKED AT. UNDER THE SEAT, THE ECM CABLE HARNESS RESTS AGAINST THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND THERE ARE SIGNS OF ABRASION FROM VIBRATION.*AK
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.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
1 mentions · 10.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 6,250 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10260706 · 6,250 mi
MOTORCYCLE STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND AT LIGHTS. THROTTLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BIKE WOULD BACKFIRE AND NOT IDLE. AT 6250 MILES SIX WIRES FROM THE ECM HARNESS RUBBED THE SHARP METAL SHOCK FLUID LINE AND SHORTED OUT THE COIL, TPS, O2 SENSOR AND INJECTORS. THE BIKE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. DEALER RESOLDERED HARNESS. THIS IS THE SECOND RUB THROUGH HARNESS PROBLEM. ENGINE HARNESS WAS COVERED WITH ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND SHARP FLUID LINE WAS COVERED WITH RUBBER FUEL LINE. *TR
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 10.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 22,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10163064 · 22,000 mi
WHILE RIDING MY 2004 BUELL XB12S MOTORCYCLE THOUGH THE ASM AMERICA, INC. PARKING LOT (3440 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE PHOENIX AZ 85034) AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM THE ON 07-19-06 THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED. THE MOTORCYCLE LOST ALL POWER AND I COASTED TO A STOP INTO A PARKING SPOT: 1.RIDING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH. 2.THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. 3.THE MOTORCYCLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED AS IF THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF INCLUDING LOSS OF HORN, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, REAR TAIL LI…