2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
2,850 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 5 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 60.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Service Brakes: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 4 |
| 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: 4; 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 (4). 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10453713 · 2012-04-01 (April 1, 2012)
THROTTLE STUCK ON MY 2012 V-ROD NIGHT ROD SPECIAL. THE BIKE HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE THROTTLE STUCK I COULD NOT MOVE IT EITHER DIRECTION. I N TRYING TO SLOW THE BIKE I LOST CONTROL AND WRECKED THE BIKE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10671776 · 2015-01-12 (January 12, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCDX (NIGHT ROD). THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NON FUNCTIONAL AND FAILED TO READ THE AMOUNT OF FUEL WITHIN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10853107 · 2016-04-02 (April 2, 2016)
REAR BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT BE ENGAGED , SOLID AS A ROCK,NO REAR BRAKES PRESURE. HAS ABS SYSTEM. HAPPENED WHILE LEAVING MY HOUSE, LOOKS LIKE THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT REAR BRAKE VALVE IS IN THE SHUT POSITION PREVENTING HYDRAULIC OIL TO THE REAR BRAKE.ABS LIGHT WORKING NOMAL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10853107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11004308 · 2017-07-11 (July 11, 2017)
I HAVE A 2012 HARLEY DAVISON V-ROD NIGHT SPECIAL WITH ABS BREAKING SYSTEM INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THIS IS NOT AN AFTERMARKET SYSTEM. THE FRONT BREAK LEAVER IS HARD AS A ROCK. YOU CAN`T SQUEEZE THE BREAK HANDLE TO APPLY FRONT BREAKS. THERE IS NO BYPASS BUILT INTO THE BREAK SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS BREAKS TO ACT AS A MANUAL BREAKING SYSTEM. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEIR WAS NO RECALL ON THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS BIKE AND IF I WANTED TO BRING MY MOTORCYCLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT FOR $110.00 AN HOUR THE WOULD CHECK THE S…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11004308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11090785 · 2018-04-28 (April 28, 2018)
THERE IS A KNOWN FAILURE OF THE ABS MODULES ON THE 2008-2011 MODEL BIKES. I BELIEVE MY ABS MODULE HAS FAILED. THE FRONT BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE HANDLE WILL NOT MOVE. THIS HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER START UP WHILE MOVING ON MY DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 10MPH. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE WITH THE REAR BRAKE.THIS RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2012 MODEL YEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,249 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090785 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.
12V503000 · Equipment
Reported: 2012-10-18 (October 18, 2012)
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all model year 2012 and certain model year 2013 VRSCDX motorcycles manufactured from June 14, 2011, through August 1, 2012. The license plate bracket assembly's mounting screws may loosen and the assembly may separate from the rear fender. This condition may lead to contact with the rear tire which could cause the license plate bracket to rotate, possibly damaging the rear brake line.
Consequence: If the license plate bracket contact with the rear brake line remains undetected, it may affect rear brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash, which could lead to injury or death of the rider.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any affected motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 6, 2012. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
NHTSA campaign record ↗