2012 Harley-Davidson Softail Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail
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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Master cylinder (service brakes)
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2012 FXST103, FLSTC, FLSTC103, FLSTF, FLSTF103, FXDL, FXDWG, FXDWG103, FXDC, FXDB, FLSTN, FLSTN103, FLSTC103Shrine, FLSTFB, FLSTFB103, FXS, FXS103, FLS, FLS103, FLD, FLD103, FXDF, and FXDF103 Dyna and Softail motorcycles manufactured August 22, 2011, through…
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush and inspect the front brake master cylinder and, if necessary, replace the master cylinder, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 22,…
3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 1,401 miles. Complaints peaked in 2013 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Upon deceleration, a wobble occurs in the rear tire. This problem has occurred 3 times now. The dealership has given the same answer all three times that the rear spokes have backed loose.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 25, 2015 · Wheels
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley davidson softail. While driving various speeds, the clutch failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the master cylinder and the clutch plates nee”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 27, 2014 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Compare Harley-Davidson Softail model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Harley-Davidson Softail model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 1996 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 1997 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 1 |
| 1998 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 1999 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 7 |
| 2001 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 2 |
| 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 4 |
| 2003 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 7 |
| 2004 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 4 |
| 2005 Harley-Davidson Softail | 2 | 4 |
| 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 2 |
| 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail | 1 | 3 |
| 2013 Harley-Davidson Softail | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail
How do I know if my 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail 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 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail; 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 Harley-Davidson dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 14V794000).
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 Harley-Davidson models
- Flhtcu276 complaints
- Flhx185 complaints
- Flhtk161 complaints
- Flhtc112 complaints
- Flhtcui108 complaints
- Harley Davidson105 complaints
- XG75088 complaints
- Flhr87 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.