2004 Buell XB12S Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2004 Buell XB12S, and owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2004 Buell XB12S
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Horn (electrical system)
On certain motorcycles, the wire that provides power to the horn, due to misrouting, can become frayed from contact with the horn bracket mounting bolt. As a result, the horn wire may become exposed, and when the horn button is pushed, either the horn circuit fuse or the key switch fuse can blow.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and correct the wire routing, if necessary. Owner notification began on december 23, 2003. Owners should contact buell at 1-414-342-4680.
7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2004 Buell XB12S have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 11,834 miles. Complaints peaked in 2007 with 5 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“2004 buell xb12r. Poor lighting due to deterioration of inside reflector. *tr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 29, 2007 · Exterior lighting
“Headlights become dimmer and dimmer, bulbs ok, chrome finish on inside of headlight housings comes off so bulbs do not reflect making night driving dangerous. Buell chat sites confirm others with xbr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 22, 2007 · Exterior lighting
Compare Buell XB12S model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Buell XB12S model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 Buell XB12S | 1 | 7 |
| 2005 Buell XB12S | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 Buell XB12S | 0 | 3 |
Checking a specific 2004 Buell XB12S
How do I know if my 2004 Buell XB12S has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2004 Buell XB12S; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Buell dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V494000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Buell models
- 1125R45 complaints
- 1125CR44 complaints
- Firebolt XB9R18 complaints
- XB12R18 complaints
- S1 Lightning13 complaints
- S3 Thunderbolt13 complaints
- XB12X13 complaints
- M2 Cyclone10 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.