VehicleVerdict

2006 Buell XB12X problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2006 Buell XB12X — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other XB12X years?

XB12X NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted8 complaints2006: 8 complaints2007: 4 complaints2008: 4 complaints2009: 3 complaints2010: 0 complaints
XB12X NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XB12X years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Buell XB12X problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure225%
Suspension225%
Brakes113%
Fuel System113%
Seats113%
Speed Control113%

Does the 2006 Buell XB12X have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V026000Fuel SystemFebruary 1, 2007 · 2,044 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE A VIBRATION AT THE MOUNTING LOCATION OF THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR WHICH, IF COMBINED WITH THE MISROUTING OF VARIOUS WIRES THAT IMPINGE ON THE SENSOR OR ITS PIGTAIL, CAN COMPROMISE THE ISOLATION OF THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR.

Consequence

THIS MAY CREATE A FALSE 'TIP' SIGNAL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MOVE THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR FROM THE ORIGINAL LOCATION ON THE BATTERY TRAY TO A LOCATION ON THE SEAT LATCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.

06V245000Body & StructureJuly 11, 2006 · 1,021 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH TWO ISSUES THAT COULD COMPROMISE THE SIDESTAND'S PERFORMANCE. EITHER THE PIVOT BOLT FOR THE SIDESTAND LEG OR THE MOUNTING BRACKET BOLTS COULD BREAK, POSSIBLY WITHOUT NOTICE.

Consequence

IF EITHER OF THESE FAILURES OCCURS, THE MOTORCYCLE COULD FALL, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND ASSEMBLY AND FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-342-4680.

06E061000Visibility & WipersJuly 7, 2006 · 303 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET TALL WINDSCREENS SOLD EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON 2006 MY BUELL ULYSSES MODEL MOTORCYCLES, P/N 58214-06YA. THE RETENTION FASTENERS FOR THE SUBJECT WINDSCREENS CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE WINDSCREEN TO BECOME DISLODGED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

Consequence

THE WINDSCREEN MAY EITHER STRIKE OR DISTRACT THE RIDER, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY.

Remedy

BUELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE WINDSCREEN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LLC AT 1-414-343-8400.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 24, 2007

“The contact owns a 2006 Buell XB12X motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 50 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the motorcycle. The contact notice that the rear wheel had partially detached from the motorcycle, causing the contact to lose control of the motorcycle. The contact was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 14, 2014

“2006 BUELL ULYSSES XB12X WITH A BANK ANGLE SENSOR MALFUNCTION CUSTOMER BELIEVES THAT THE SENSOR MALFUNCTION CAUSED HIS ACCIDENT[REDACTED]CC CONSUMER STATES MOTORCYCLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS ISSUED A TICKET FOR CARELESS DRIVING AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT AND CONSUMER ALSO STATES HE RECEIVED A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 21, 2006 · crash

“2006 BUELL ULYSSES XB12X CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PULSES RAPIDLY DURING BRAKING AND MAKES IT HARD TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE AND THIS IS WHAT CAUSED HIS ACCIDENT AND HE BELIEVES THAT IT'S A DEFECTED MACHINE[REDACTED]CC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER WRITTEN TO BUELL BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 9, 2007 · crash

“RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · February 24, 2007

2006 Buell XB12X — common questions

Is the 2006 Buell XB12X reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2006 Buell XB12X have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Buell XB12X. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.