Buell XB12XT recalls by model year
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
1,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 to 2010 model years. Data updated: . 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 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.
08V538000 · Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 2008-10-14 (October 14, 2008) · Model years: 2008, 2009
BUELL IS RECALLING 624 MY 2008-2009 XB12XT AND MY 2009 XB12XP MOTORCYCLES. THE WINDSHIELDS MAY BECOME DISLODGED AND ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO EITHER STRIKE OR DISTRACT THE RIDER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING RIDDEN AT A HIGH SPEED.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH, WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE WINDSHIELD'S TWO RUBBER MOUNTED NUTS AND INSTALL TWO NEW FASTENER ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-342-4080.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V465000 · Equipment
Reported: 2009-12-02 (December 2, 2009) · Model years: 2010
BUELL IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XB12X AND XB12XT MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 20 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. THE RIGHT HAND SIDE FOOTPEG MOUNT MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO INCORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE FOOTPEG TO MOVE SIGNIFICANTLY OUT OF POSITION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH OF THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FOOTPEG MOUNT WITH A NEW FOOTPEG MOUNT THAT WAS MANUFACTURED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 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
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
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 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 125.0%ODI 10269623I OWN A 2008 BUELL FIREBOLT MOTORCYCLE. ACCORDING TO DATA PUBLISHED BY BUELL AND HARLEY-DAVIDSON THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS AN ESTIMATED HIGHWAY MILEAGE AROUND 65 MILES PER GALLON, WITH MAYBE TEN LESS MPG AROUND TOWN. THIS IS FALSE ADVERTISING AS I CONSISTENTLY GET POOR GAS MILEAGE OF ABOUT 35 MPG... JUST OVER HALF OF THE PUBLISHED MPG. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NO FEWER THAN THREE TIMES AND THE FUEL MILEAGE CANNOT BE INCREASED. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes | 125.0%ODI 1062085336 Y/O MAN RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE MAY HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD START TO COME OFF AND PREVENTED HIM FROM BEING ABLE TO STOP. FAQUIER CO SHERIFF RESPONDED TO TRUCK HITTING MOTORCYCLE WHO COULDN'T STOP. MAN PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE ON ADEN RD IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA ON AUG 5, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30AM. POLICE AND WITNESS REPORT SAID MAN TRIED TO STOP HIS MOTORCYCLE BUT COULDN'T. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10261634 · 93 miI RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2009 BUELL XB12XT MOTORCYCLE. 3 DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE, I PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE ON ITS KICK STAND FACING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD SLOPE. THE MOTORCYCLE RESTED ON ITS KICK STAND AS NORMAL. I STARTED THE ENGINE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL TO LET IT WARM UP AND WALKED BACK TO CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR. THE VIBRATION FROM THE ENGINE CAUSED THE KICKSTAND TO MOVE OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION AND ALLOWED THE MOTORCYCLE TO FALL OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING $428 OF DAMAGE TO THE MOTORCY… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility | 125.0%ODI 10276988 · 6,500 miI WAS RIDING MY 2008 BUELL XB12XT MOTORCYCLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE WITH OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT, BEHIND AND BESIDE. THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY FELL OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. IT FLEW UP AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD WITH SOME FORCE. I LOOKED IN THE REVIEW MIRROR AND SAW IT FLYING THROUGH THE AIR BEHIND ME AT A HEIGHT OF SEVERAL FEET. IT NARROWLY MISSED HITTING THE WINDSHIELD OF A PICKUP DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. THE WINDSHIELD IS MADE OF HARD PLEXIGLASS. IT IS ABOUT 12X18 INCHES IN SIZE. IT HAS A SLIGHT CURVE TO IT.… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility/Wiper | 125.0%ODI 1062085336 Y/O MAN RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE MAY HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD START TO COME OFF AND PREVENTED HIM FROM BEING ABLE TO STOP. FAQUIER CO SHERIFF RESPONDED TO TRUCK HITTING MOTORCYCLE WHO COULDN'T STOP. MAN PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE ON ADEN RD IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA ON AUG 5, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30AM. POLICE AND WITNESS REPORT SAID MAN TRIED TO STOP HIS MOTORCYCLE BUT COULDN'T. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Wheels | 125.0%ODI 10331643 · 1,000 miI AM HEREBY FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA CONCERNING A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2006 - 2009 BUELL ULYSSES XB12X AND XB12XT MOTORCYCLES. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PREMATURE REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ON THE AFOREMENTIONED MOTORCYCLES. SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THESE WHEEL BEARINGS CAN LEAD TO SEVERE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO RIDERS AND/OR PASSENGERS. MANY CASES OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED ON WEBSITES THAT SPECIALIZE IN BUELL MOTORCYCLES. LISTED BELOW ARE A … | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | Too few reports for a range | 93 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10261634 · 93 miI RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2009 BUELL XB12XT MOTORCYCLE. 3 DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE, I PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE ON ITS KICK STAND FACING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD SLOPE. THE MOTORCYCLE RESTED ON ITS KICK STAND AS NORMAL. I STARTED THE ENGINE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL TO LET IT WARM UP AND WALKED BACK TO CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR. THE VIBRATION FROM THE ENGINE CAUSED THE KICKSTAND TO MOVE OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION AND ALLOWED THE MOTORCYCLE TO FALL OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING $428 OF DAMAGE TO THE MOTORCY… |
| Visibility | Too few reports for a range | 6,500 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10276988 · 6,500 miI WAS RIDING MY 2008 BUELL XB12XT MOTORCYCLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE WITH OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT, BEHIND AND BESIDE. THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY FELL OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. IT FLEW UP AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD WITH SOME FORCE. I LOOKED IN THE REVIEW MIRROR AND SAW IT FLYING THROUGH THE AIR BEHIND ME AT A HEIGHT OF SEVERAL FEET. IT NARROWLY MISSED HITTING THE WINDSHIELD OF A PICKUP DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. THE WINDSHIELD IS MADE OF HARD PLEXIGLASS. IT IS ABOUT 12X18 INCHES IN SIZE. IT HAS A SLIGHT CURVE TO IT.… |
| Wheels | Too few reports for a range | 1,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10331643 · 1,000 miI AM HEREBY FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA CONCERNING A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2006 - 2009 BUELL ULYSSES XB12X AND XB12XT MOTORCYCLES. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PREMATURE REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ON THE AFOREMENTIONED MOTORCYCLES. SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THESE WHEEL BEARINGS CAN LEAD TO SEVERE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO RIDERS AND/OR PASSENGERS. MANY CASES OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED ON WEBSITES THAT SPECIALIZE IN BUELL MOTORCYCLES. LISTED BELOW ARE A … |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 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 (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.
2009: 1 complaints · 2010: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 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 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Service Brakes | Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | Visibility | Visibility/Wiper | Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 1062085336 Y/O MAN RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE MAY HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD START TO COME OFF AND PREVENTED HIM FROM BEING ABLE TO STOP. FAQUIER CO SHERIFF RESPONDED TO TRUCK HITTING MOTORCYCLE WHO COULDN'T STOP. MAN PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE ON ADEN RD IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA ON AUG 5, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30AM. POLICE AND WITNESS REPORT SAID MAN TRIED TO STOP HIS MOTORCYCLE BUT COULDN'T. *TR | 0 |
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 0 | 1ODI 1062085336 Y/O MAN RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE MAY HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD START TO COME OFF AND PREVENTED HIM FROM BEING ABLE TO STOP. FAQUIER CO SHERIFF RESPONDED TO TRUCK HITTING MOTORCYCLE WHO COULDN'T STOP. MAN PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE ON ADEN RD IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA ON AUG 5, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30AM. POLICE AND WITNESS REPORT SAID MAN TRIED TO STOP HIS MOTORCYCLE BUT COULDN'T. *TR | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 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.