Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
10,000 miles · Jul 19, 2007
Power Train
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION OF HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTERS THAT CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO LURCH BADLY IN FIRST GEAR. THIS BEGINS AT AROUND 10K AND THE DEALERS SAY THIS IS RELATED TO SPORTSTERS BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS COULD CAUSE A NOVICE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL, ESPECIALLY ON LOOSE SURFACES SUCH AS GRAVEL OR SAND. I H…
Read full complaint
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION OF HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTERS THAT CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO LURCH BADLY IN FIRST GEAR. THIS BEGINS AT AROUND 10K AND THE DEALERS SAY THIS IS RELATED TO SPORTSTERS BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS COULD CAUSE A NOVICE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL, ESPECIALLY ON LOOSE SURFACES SUCH AS GRAVEL OR SAND. I HAVE SPOKEN TO HD BUT GOTTEN NOWHERE. THE STANDARD REPLY IS TO TRADE IT OFF. I HAVE NEARLY DROPPED MY BIKE IN SLOW TURNS IN FIRST GEAR MORE THAN ONCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10196790
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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