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: 2 of 2 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.
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. 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
2 reports
8,500 miles · Aug 28, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion System
UNCONTROLLED RPM WHEN DECELERATING. ENGINE RPM RAISED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO 3200 RPM'S WHEN ALL THROTTLE UP WAS REMOVED. ENGINE KILL AND RESTART DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM THE RPM WOULD NOT DROP UNTIL KEY WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN RESTARTED ENGINE REV'S IN IDLE AT 1350 RPM 15 MINUTES THEN DROPS TO JUMPING BETWEEN 900 AND 1000 RPM'S…
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UNCONTROLLED RPM WHEN DECELERATING. ENGINE RPM RAISED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO 3200 RPM'S WHEN ALL THROTTLE UP WAS REMOVED. ENGINE KILL AND RESTART DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM THE RPM WOULD NOT DROP UNTIL KEY WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN RESTARTED ENGINE REV'S IN IDLE AT 1350 RPM 15 MINUTES THEN DROPS TO JUMPING BETWEEN 900 AND 1000 RPM'S NEVER HOLDING A CONSTANT IDLE. UNIT CAN BE RAN AN HOUR, DAY, MONTH BEFORE REOCCURRING AGAIN. NO SIGN OF WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL IT HAPPENS. YOU DOWN SHIFT, LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND THE BIKE TAKES OFF ON YOU. HAPPENS IN ALL CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL, TURNING HIGHWAY TO EXIT RAMPS, RESIDENTIAL STREETS, GOING TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE TURNS. UNIT HAS ALSO DIED UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. SYMPTOMS HAVE ALSO HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE DATE LISTED BELOW. BOUGHT MACHINE 2 1/2 YEARS AGO NEW. 8500 MILES ON BIKE. I HAVE 43 YEARS AND 200,000 MILES ON MOTORCYCLES. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS HERE.
NHTSA ODI #11020012
8,800 miles · May 24, 2016
Structure
LEFT SIDE BATTERY COVER FALLS OFF, HAVE REPLACED CLIPS FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON BUT COVER STILL FALLS OFF. THIS IS COMPLETELY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE ME TO CRASH OR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER HAS STATED THAT THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN AND HARLEY DAVIDSON CORP. HAS TOLD ME TO PUT ZIP TIES…
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LEFT SIDE BATTERY COVER FALLS OFF, HAVE REPLACED CLIPS FROM HARLEY DAVIDSON BUT COVER STILL FALLS OFF. THIS IS COMPLETELY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE ME TO CRASH OR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER HAS STATED THAT THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN AND HARLEY DAVIDSON CORP. HAS TOLD ME TO PUT ZIP TIES ON IT AND IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FROM THE HD FORUM THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY RIDERS. THE COVER HAS REPEATEDLY FALLEN OFF SINCE I BOUGHT THIS MOTORCYCLE IN THE SPRING OF 2015.
NHTSA ODI #10870541
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.
2014 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year