2006 Harley-Davidson XL1200L: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
12,778 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10162664 · 2006-07-14 (July 14, 2006)
2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY NOISY AND IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO VOICE HIS AND CONCERNS AND AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY…
Owner-reported narrative. 556 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10368417 · 2010-11-30 (November 30, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200 LOW. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE ACCELERATED ABOUT 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING HIS ENGINE TO FAIL. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN UPDATED 12/29/11 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10368417 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V296000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 2007-07-11 (July 11, 2007)
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A CONDITION WHEREBY THE PANT LEG OF SOME RIDERS CAN HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE PANT LEG TO CHAR OR BURN, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A NEW EXHAUST SHIELD WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OFTHE EXHAUST PIPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
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.
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 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10192248TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200L. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 06V476000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR). HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE COMPONENT IS ON BACK ORDER. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 200. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10239164I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND A SCAR ON MY LEG WHICH IS PERMANENT AND UNSIGHTLY. I FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY OWN FROM INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER NEVER TOOK ANY INITIATIVE TO NOTIFY ME ON THEIR OWN. I B… |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10239164I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND A SCAR ON MY LEG WHICH IS PERMANENT AND UNSIGHTLY. I FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY OWN FROM INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER NEVER TOOK ANY INITIATIVE TO NOTIFY ME ON THEIR OWN. I B… |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 150.0%ODI 10162664 · 556 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY NOISY AND IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO VOICE HIS AND CONCERNS AND AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10200128 · 534 mi5 DAY OLD HARLEY, SPORTSTER FAIL TO START. FUEL PUMP OUT. NEW PART ON 20 BACKORDER. NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 150.0%ODI 10162664 · 556 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY NOISY AND IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO VOICE HIS AND CONCERNS AND AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 11015065 · 10,600 miI WAS RIDING MY STOCK 2007 HD SPORTSTER 1200 YESTERDAY ON A PAVED ROAD APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN I RAN OVER A ROUGH PORTION OF ROAD. THE RIGHT FOOT PEG / REAR BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY CAME OFF FROM ITS MOUNTING POSITION ON THE LOWER FRAME AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THAT THE TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BRACKET / ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME HAD SHEARED OFF. I WEIGH 185 LBS AND THE MOTORCYCLE DID NOT BOTTOM-OUT ON THE ROUGH ROAD, NOR DID THE BRAKE / FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY STRIKE THE ROAD. THE BOLTS APPEAR TO HAVE SIMPLY SHEARED OFF FROM MY… |
| Structure | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10209597THERE IS A RECALL ON MY MOTORCYCLE AND I ASKED BUT THEY DONT HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT. *TR |
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:Turn Signal | Too few reports for a range | 556 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10162664 · 556 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY NOISY AND IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO VOICE HIS AND CONCERNS AND AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY… |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 556 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10162664 · 556 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY NOISY AND IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO VOICE HIS AND CONCERNS AND AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY… |
| Vehicle Speed Control | Too few reports for a range | 25,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10368417 · 25,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200 LOW. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE ACCELERATED ABOUT 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING HIS ENGINE TO FAIL. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN UPDATED 12/29/11 *CN |
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: 1 complaints · 2007: 4 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 5 | 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:Turn Signal | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | — | 1ODI 10162664 · 556 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY NOISY AND IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO VOICE HIS AND CONCERNS AND AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY… | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1ODI 10162664 · 556 mi2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY NOISY AND IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO VOICE HIS AND CONCERNS AND AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY… | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 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.