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2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200L

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

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 5 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. 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 reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

5 reports
10,600 miles · Aug 14, 2017
Service Brakes

I WAS RIDING MY STOCK 2007 HD SPORTSTER 1200 YESTERDAY ON A PAVED ROAD APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN I RAN OVER A ROUGH PORTION OF ROAD. THE RIGHT FOOT PEG / REAR BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY CAME OFF FROM ITS MOUNTING POSITION ON THE LOWER FRAME AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THAT THE TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BRACKET / …

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I WAS RIDING MY STOCK 2007 HD SPORTSTER 1200 YESTERDAY ON A PAVED ROAD APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN I RAN OVER A ROUGH PORTION OF ROAD. THE RIGHT FOOT PEG / REAR BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY CAME OFF FROM ITS MOUNTING POSITION ON THE LOWER FRAME AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THAT THE TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BRACKET / ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME HAD SHEARED OFF. I WEIGH 185 LBS AND THE MOTORCYCLE DID NOT BOTTOM-OUT ON THE ROUGH ROAD, NOR DID THE BRAKE / FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY STRIKE THE ROAD. THE BOLTS APPEAR TO HAVE SIMPLY SHEARED OFF FROM MY WEIGHT ON THE FOOT PEG ON A ROUGH PATCH OF ROAD. LUCKILY, I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP IT WITH NO USABLE REAR BRAKE AS THE CONTROL WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. I DID RESEARCH LAST NIGHT ON THE INTERNET AND READ SEVERAL POSTINGS ON A MOTORCYCLE BLOG WITH OWNERS OF 2007 SPORTSTER 1200 MOTORCYCLES THAT REPORTED EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE, SO I AM REPORTING IT TO YOU. THERE IS NO VISIBLE RUST ON THE BOLTS WHERE THEY SHEARED OFF. THEY APPEAR TO BELOW-GRADE STEEL BOLTS THAT FAILED UNDER NORMAL USE. I WAS LUCKY THAT I MAINTAINED CONTROL AS MY FOOT DROPPED TO THE GROUND AT 35 MPH - IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND IF THERE IS A RESOLUTION UNDERWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11015065

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND…

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I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND A SCAR ON MY LEG WHICH IS PERMANENT AND UNSIGHTLY. I FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY OWN FROM INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER NEVER TOOK ANY INITIATIVE TO NOTIFY ME ON THEIR OWN. I BELIEVE THE DEALER IS LIABLE FOR CAUSING MY INJURY, DUE TO NEGLECT TO DISCLOSE SAFETY INFORMATION, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS WAS MY FIRST EVER MOTORCYCLE, AND BECAUSE OF THIS AND OTHER ISSUES OF NEGLECT BY THIS DEALER, I HAVE HAD TO ENDURE COUNTLESS HOURS OF MY TIME TO TRY AND GET THIS DEALER TO HONOR SAFETY AND ETHICAL ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239164

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2007
Structure

THERE IS A RECALL ON MY MOTORCYCLE AND I ASKED BUT THEY DONT HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209597

534 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

5 DAY OLD HARLEY, SPORTSTER FAIL TO START. FUEL PUMP OUT. NEW PART ON 20 BACKORDER. NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200128

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200L. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 06V476000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR). HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE COMPONENT IS ON BACK ORDER. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 200. UPDATED 02-01-08. *…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200L. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 06V476000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR). HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE COMPONENT IS ON BACK ORDER. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 200. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10192248

Official recalls

3

07V296000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Jul 11, 2007

CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A CONDITION WHEREBY THE PANT LEG OF SOME RIDERS CAN HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE PANT LEG TO CHAR OR BURN, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO THE RIDER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A NEW EXHAUST SHIELD WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OFTHE EXHAUST PIPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

07V025000 · Tires

Feb 1, 2007

CERTAIN SPORTSTER AND DYNA MODEL MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT FRONT TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS INCORRECT TIRE COULD CAUSE PERFORMANCE ISSUES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT TIRE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

06V476000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Dec 19, 2006

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AS A RESULT OF A GREATER BODY THICKNESS THAN USED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR MAY CONTACT THE FRONT FENDER UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. IN SOME CASES THIS CONTACT MAY ALLOW THE FRONT FENDER TO CATCH ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE REGULATOR BODY WHICH COULD IMPEDE THE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Remedy: ON MOTORCYCLES WHICH DO NOT HAVE ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INTERMEDIATE MOUNTING BRACKET THAT WILL RELOCATE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO A POSITION WHICH PROVIDES MORE CLEARANCE FROM THE FRONT FENDER. ON VEHICLES WITH AN ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE THINNNER DIMENSION VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO AVOIDE THE FRONT FENDER CLEARANCE PROBLEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 22, 2007. A SECOND CUSTOMER LETTER REFLECTING THE ABOVE REMEDY WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ON MARCH 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

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.