Upon deceleration, a wobble occurs in the rear tire. This problem has occurred 3 times now. The dealership has given the same answer all three times that the rear spokes have backed loose.
The worst 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission2
- Brakes1
- Wheels1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission2
- Brakes1
- Wheels1
Recalls 1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2012 FXST103, FLSTC, FLSTC103, FLSTF, FLSTF103, FXDL, FXDWG, FXDWG103, FXDC, FXDB, FLSTN, FLSTN103, FLSTC103Shrine, FLSTFB, FLSTFB103, FXS, FXS103, FLS, FLS103, FLD, FLD103, FXDF, and FXDF103 Dyna and Softail motorcycles manufactured August 22, 2011, through February 24, 2012. In the affected motorcycles, the threads for the brake line banjo bolt in the front brake master cylinder may corrode.
- Risk
- If the threads corrode, a sudden loss of brake fluid could result, causing a loss of the front brakes, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush and inspect the front brake master cylinder and, if necessary, replace the master cylinder, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 22, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1‑800‑258‑2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0163 and 0164.
Recall number 14V794000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
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What 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley davidson softail. While driving various speeds, the clutch failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the master cylinder and the clutch plates needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the master cylinder and the clutch plates, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,200.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 harley davidson fls slim motorcycle. The contact stated that the clutch cable was too long for the motorcycle and routed improperly. The contact added an accessory windshield, which pushed the cable to the bottom of the fender. The contact was concerned that the cable would become caught in it. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the length and routing of the cable was how it was designed. The problem was reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 2. The current mileage was 4,200.
Compare the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail
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Questions about the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail
Is the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail, close to a typical Softail model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints. Next is brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail have?
1 recall, covering service brakes, hydraulic.
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