VehicleVerdict

2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

10

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Fltrx years?

Fltrx NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted15 complaints2010: 15 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 10 complaints2013: 9 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 1 complaints2024: 13 complaints2025: 8 complaints2026: 4 complaints
Fltrx NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fltrx years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels440%
Electrical System110%
Engine110%
Brakes110%
Speed Control110%
Visibility & Wipers110%
Lighting110%

Does the 2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V506000LightingOctober 19, 2011 · 250,757 units

Defect

HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Consequence

THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WAS CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE ON MY MOTORCYCLE TIRES WHEN I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE DRY ROT. I THEN STARTED CHECKING ON VARIOUS FORUMS FOR HARLEY RIDERS AND NOTICED THAT OTHERS WERE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CHANGED TIRES WITHOUT QUESTION. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 11, 2012

“I WAS TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY 101 SOUTH BETWEEN METCALF & BAILEY HERE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YESTERDAY AFTERNOON (5/30) ON MY HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE 2015 THAT HAS LESS THAN 300 MILES. I WAS IN THE 2ND LANE TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH AND MY BIKE STARTED TO RIDE VERY ROUGH, I WAS LOSING SPEED VERY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 30, 2015

“I WAS TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY 101 SOUTH BETWEEN METCALF & BAILEY HERE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YESTERDAY AFTERNOON (5/30) ON MY HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE 2015 THAT HAS LESS THAN 300 MILES. I WAS IN THE 2ND LANE TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH AND MY BIKE STARTED TO RIDE VERY ROUGH, I WAS LOSING SPEED VERY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 30, 2015

“WHILE RIDING ON MY 2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE MOTORCYCLE IT SUDDENLY DIED. IT DIED BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS NOT BEING CHARGED; THEREFORE MY ELECTRONICS WOULD NOT WORK, INCLUDING THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE VOLTAGE REGULATOR THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO HARLEY. THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 19, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REPLACING A CURVED WINDSHIELD, THE CONTACT'S VISION BECAME DISTORTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OBJECTS APPEARED CLOSER THAN THEY ACTUALLY WERE AND THE LINES ON THE HIGHWAY APPEARED IN A ZIGZAG SHAPE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 6, 2014

2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx — common questions

Is the 2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 Fltrx problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (4 complaints), visibility & wipers (1 complaints), lighting (1 complaints).

Does the 2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2012 Harley-Davidson Fltrx. 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.