U.S. public vehicle records

2001 Harley-Davidson XL1200C: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2001 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 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

Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices

Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

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). 0 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.

2007

2007: 1

Pattern summary

Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices leads the component reports. 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10188474 · 2007-04-20 (April 20, 2007)

MIRRORS SHAKE THAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CARS BEHIND ME AND UNSAFE AT NIGHT WITH THE LIGHTS OF CAR BEHIND ME. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188474 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage1 / 1 records

100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records

100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2014	2019
Electrical System	125.0% ODI 10266432 · 9,500 mi TYPICAL MOTORCYCLE RIDING UNKNOWN FREQUENCY REPLACED CKP SENSOR I HAVE A 2005 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C MOTORCYCLE. ABOUT A WEEK AGO ,AFTER THE BIKE WAS WARMED UP,IT WOULD STALL AT INTERSECTIONS AND BACKFIRE AND OFTEN DIE AS YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHILE TURNING. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE BIKE RUNNING IS TO REV IT TO A HIGH LEVEL,WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS ,PARTICULARLY WHILE TURNING. WASN'T INJURED BUT CAME VERY CLOSE TO GETTING RUN OFF SEVERAL TIMES ON THE WAY HOME. I HAD TO JOIN A MOTORCYCLE FORUM TO ACTUALLY DISCOVER WH… Look up ODI 10266432 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10268582 · 5,200 mi I OWN A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200C AND A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS AS WELL AS MYSELF HAVE NOTICED A DEFECTIVE CRANK POSITION SENSOR PROBLEM RECURRING WITH THIS BIKE AND IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO OPERATE ON IN CITY ROADWAYS WHERE YOU HAVE TO STOP AND GO MORE FREQUENTLY SHOULD THEY BE REPLACING THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS TO PROTECT THE CUSTOMER FROM POSSIBLE HAZARDS OPERATING THEIR PRODUCT AND RECALLING THESE BIKES OR IS IT UP TO US AS CONSUMERS TO TAKE THE HIT AND DECIDE TO SPEND A FEW HUNDRED TO HAVE IT REPLACED TO ONLY FAIL AGAIN ? I KNOW I WOU… Look up ODI 10268582 at NHTSA ↗	250.0% ODI 10206453 · 1,000 mi BIKE ACTING LIKE IT WAS DEAD. TURN IGNITION ON, LIGHTS COME ON AND WHEN YOU HIT THE STARTER YOU GET A CLICK AND THEN EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE LIGHTS GO DEAD. THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM CORROSION ON A RELAY. THE BIKE IS BRAND NEW. NEW PARTS SHOULDN'T FAIL WITHIN 1000 MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10206453 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11515476 The stock TMS (Turn Signal Module) on my Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 failed. This sensor controls the auto cancel turn signal feature as well as a combination bank angle sensor. This sensor has a built in kill switch which if the bike detects an angle of lean indicative of a crash it will kill the engine preventing it from starting by preventing spark from occurring to the cylinders. My problem is when my sensor failed my motorcycle will not start now. I called all local Harley Davidson dealerships in the area who told me the part is “obsole… Look up ODI 11515476 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	125.0% ODI 10522284 · 25,000 mi FAULTY ENGINE. NEEDS COMPLETE REBUILD. BIKE WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. HARLEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE FAULTY ENGINES BUT IGNORED. *TR Look up ODI 10522284 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10628132 · 1,734 mi I WAS RIDING MY 2009 HARLEY SPORTSTER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AT ABOUT 9AM, AND I HEARD A BOOM. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 MPH, BUT I BEGAN TO LOOSE CONTROL. I REGAINED CONTROL, AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE, WHERE I DISCOVERED OIL ALL OVER MY TIRE, AND THE GROUND AROUND MY BIKE. THEN I DISCOVERED THE BOOM I HEARD WAS ACTUALLY MY OIL TANK BLOWING AT THE SEAM. THE OIL TANK IS MADE OF PLASTIC, AND ITS NOT BROKEN, JUST SEPARATED AT GLUE-PLASTIC WELD SEAM. I BROUGHT THIS TO ATTENTION OF HARLEY DAVIDSON IN WI. AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO HD DEALERSHIP, AT A C… Look up ODI 10628132 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 11020012 · 8,500 mi UNCONTROLLED RPM WHEN DECELERATING. ENGINE RPM RAISED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO 3200 RPM'S WHEN ALL THROTTLE UP WAS REMOVED. ENGINE KILL AND RESTART DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM THE RPM WOULD NOT DROP UNTIL KEY WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN RESTARTED ENGINE REV'S IN IDLE AT 1350 RPM 15 MINUTES THEN DROPS TO JUMPING BETWEEN 900 AND 1000 RPM'S NEVER HOLDING A CONSTANT IDLE. UNIT CAN BE RAN AN HOUR, DAY, MONTH BEFORE REOCCURRING AGAIN. NO SIGN OF WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL IT HAPPENS. YOU DOWN SHIFT, LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND THE BIKE TAKES OFF ON YOU. HA… Look up ODI 11020012 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Manual Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10282900 · 37,500 mi 09/04/2009 2006 XL1200C HARLEY DAVIDSON DEFECTIVE PART: CLUTCH SPRING INCIDENT = MY 2006 XL 1200C STARTED SHIFTING HARD. I NOTICED AT A STOP WHEN I HAD THE CLUTCH LEVER FULLY PULLED BACK THE BIKE STILL WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD. I HAD TO KEEP THE FRONT BRAKE ON TO KEEP THE BIKE FROM MOVING. I TOOK THE BIKE TO REDWOOD HARLEY DAVIDSON AS I AM A LONG WAY FROM HOME. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE OIL LEVEL WAS INCORRECT SO I HAD THEM CHECK IT. THE TECH, TOLD ME I HAD A BROKEN CLUTCH SPRING, WHICH IS A COMMON PROBLEM AS THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FAC… Look up ODI 10282900 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Frame And Members	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10344825 · 4,160 mi THUNDER MOUNTAIN CUSTOM CYCLES FRAME FAILURE AT RISERS FOR SWINGARM AND ENGINE MOUNT. R/H WELD SEPARATED FROM FRAME. R/H WELD YIELDING WITH TUBING CRACKING. MILEAGE AT 4160. FAILURE COLLAPSES REAR OF MOTORCYCLE SUSPENSION FOULING DRIVE BELT WITH FENDER AND TRACKING ALIGNMENT OF REAR TIRE. FRAME RECONSTRUCTION REQUIRED AT SUPPORT LOCATIONS IDENTIFIED. THE COMPANY NO LONGER EXISTS AND HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERS ARE STILL SELLING THIS MODEL,'SPITFIRE' WITH NO NOTIFICATION OF IMPENDING FAILURE. *TR Look up ODI 10344825 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10409367 · 6,464 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPITFIRE XI1200C MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN HE SUDDENLY FELT AN ABNORMAL RUBBING ON THE BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED BY THE OWNER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FENDER AND BRACE WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS WELDED AT THE FAILURE YET THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE MAIN SUPPORT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CO… Look up ODI 10409367 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10183986 · 600 mi TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL 06V476000 FOR THE 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C MOTORCYCLE ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR ON 01/22/07. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO HAD ALREADY ORDERED THE PARTS AND WAS WAITING FOR THEM. SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS CAME IN SOMETIMES IN FEBRUARY. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT THE PARTS CAME IN ,AND THEY PUT THE RECALL PARTS ON THE MOTORCYCLES ON THEIR SALES FLOOR. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THEY WOULD HAVE … Look up ODI 10183986 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10198647 · 800 mi THE IDLE AIR CONTROLLER (IAC) IS RECEIVING POWER FROM THE ECM WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED AND THE RUN/STOP SWITCH IN THE STOP POSITION. THE IAC DRAINS THE BATTERY VOLTAGE RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY. THE CAUSE IS CORROSION ON THE SYSTEM RELAY IN THE FUSE BOX. THE SYSTEM RELAY HAS CONSTANT POWER APPLIED TO IT AND WITH THE CORROSION THIS POWER IS BEING FEED TO THE ECM WHICH IN TURN FEEDS POWER TO THE IAC. HARLEY DAVIDSON- TT322- SAYS THAT THE CORROSION IS CAUSED BY WATER RUNNING DOWN A WIRING HARNESS AND ENDING UP AT THE SYSTEM RELAY. I'… Look up ODI 10198647 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No 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 failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices	Too few reports for a range	500 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10188474 · 500 mi MIRRORS SHAKE THAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CARS BEHIND ME AND UNSAFE AT NIGHT WITH THE LIGHTS OF CAR BEHIND ME. *JB Look up ODI 10188474 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2014: 1 complaints · 2019: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2014	0	0	1
2019	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
2014	2	0	0
2019	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	Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices	—

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.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.