Harley-Davidson XL1200CX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
9,333 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 to 2020 model years. Data updated: . 1 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
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 2 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Engine operation
1
50.0%
Electrical and battery issues
1
50.0%
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
1
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
1
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: 1; 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 (1). 1 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.
2019
1
2022
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2019
1
2022
1
2019: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Owner report 11218484 · 2019-06-07 (June 7, 2019)
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
50.0%Usable mileage1 / 2 records
100.0%Valid incident date2 / 2 records
100.0%Valid filing date2 / 2 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates2 / 2 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
2016
2017
2019
2020
Engine
1100.0%ODI 11218484 · 9,333 mi
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
Harley Davidson knows about the the defective oil pump in many if their models dating back as far as 2015. They continued to install that same oil pump anyway until 2019! My 2017 Sportster only has 6635 miles on it and it is "sumping", which means it's not allowing the oil to flow back into the crankcase. The oil is blowing out of my oil cap! With no oil going back into the crankcase, my motor will seize and destroy itself!!!!! I want Harley Davidson to take resposibility and repair my motorcycle, which would include parts and labor.
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
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
Engine
Too few reports for a range
9,333 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 11218484 · 9,333 mi
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
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.
2019: 0 complaints · 2020: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2019
0
0
0
2020
0
0
0
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2019
0
0
0
2020
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component
Engine
Electrical System
Fuel/Propulsion System
Engine
—
1ODI 11218484 · 9,333 mi
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
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 · 50.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 9,333 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 11218484 · 9,333 mi
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 50.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 9,333 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 11218484 · 9,333 mi
AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY, I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND THE ROADSTER JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BIKE SEIZED. HAD I NOT QUICKLY PRESSED THE CLUTCH I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL. THEN THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE SECURITY LIGHTS TURNED ON. I TRIED TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON AND IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. IT FINALLY STARTED BUT AS SOON AS I WOULD THROTTLE THE ACCELERATOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE BIKE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. WHEN I DID TURN THE MOTORCYCLE ON IT WOULD STALL VIOLENTLY AND THEN SHUT…