Harley-Davidson 1200 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
6,877 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1975 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 16 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 18.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Suspension: 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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 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 (2). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2008: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10243035 · 2008-09-22 (September 22, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 SPORTSTER. WHILE RIDING 30 MPH, FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FORK TUBE SPLIT IN HALF. THE CALIPER CONNECTION POINT ALSO SNAPPED. THESE FAILURES CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND THE BRAKE TO GO DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED INJURIES SUCH AS ROAD RASH ON BOTH ARMS, BRUISES ON HIS RIGHT HIP, MUSCLE SPASMS (FOR THREE DAYS AFTER), AND PAIN IN HIS LEFT HEEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CALLED, BUT THERE WAS NO CORRESPONDENCE. THE MANUFACTU…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,254 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 9005763 · 2002-02-11 (February 11, 2002)
FRONT BRAKE SWITCH THAT OPERATED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9005763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026713 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072002 · 2004-05-03 (May 3, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH MOTORCYCLE STALLED. TRIED TO RESTART MOTORCYCLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE. ALSO, A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071842 · 2004-04-29 (April 29, 2004)
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BETWEEN BATTERY AND IGNITION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER DENNIS MAAS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 858759 · 2000-03-17 (March 17, 2000)
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING STEERING YOKE :MOTORCYCLE & CONTACTED DEALER. INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE SINCE NOVEMBER. WAS ONLY GIVEN 3 REPAIR KITS FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 858759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860289 · 2000-04-13 (April 13, 2000)
99V290/ STEERING WHEEL HANDLE BARS: RECEIVED RECALL, AND UNABLE TO GET DEALER TO HONOR IT DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NOTIFIED MANFACTURER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NO PARTS WERE SENT TO DEALER BECAUSE DEALER DID NOT MAKE A REQUEST. DEALER MADE REQUEST, RECEIVED PARTS SHORTLY AFTER AND REPAIRED VEHICLE. PROBLEM RESOLVED. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860289 at NHTSA ↗
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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1999: 1; 2000: 1; 2002: 0