2012 Harley-Davidson Vrscdx recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. The license plate bracket assembly's mounting screws may loosen and the assembly may separate from the rear fender. This condition may lead to contact with the rear tire which could cause the license plate bracket to rotate, possibly damaging the rear brake line.
What could happen: If the license plate bracket contact with the rear brake line remains undetected, it may affect rear brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash, which could lead to injury or death of the rider.
The fix: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any affected motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 6, 2012. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 VRSCDX.
- Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 12V503000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-414-343-4056.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all model year 2012 and certain model year 2013 VRSCDX motorcycles manufactured from June 14, 2011, through August 1, 2012. The license plate bracket assembly's mounting screws may loosen and the assembly may separate from the rear fender. This condition may lead to contact with the rear tire which could cause the license plate bracket to rotate, possibly damaging the rear brake line.
Consequence: If the license plate bracket contact with the rear brake line remains undetected, it may affect rear brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash, which could lead to injury or death of the rider.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any affected motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 6, 2012. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
Notes: This is Harley-Davidson recall 0148. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2012 Harley-Davidson Vrscdx owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (3), Fuel system (1), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
04/28/2018 · Brakes
THERE IS A KNOWN FAILURE OF THE ABS MODULES ON THE 2008-2011 MODEL BIKES. I BELIEVE MY ABS MODULE HAS FAILED. THE FRONT BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE HANDLE WILL NOT MOVE. THIS HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER START UP WHILE MOVING ON MY DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 10MPH. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE WITH THE REAR BRAKE.THIS RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2012 MODEL YEAR.
07/11/2017 · Brakes
I HAVE A 2012 HARLEY DAVISON V-ROD NIGHT SPECIAL WITH ABS BREAKING SYSTEM INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THIS IS NOT AN AFTERMARKET SYSTEM. THE FRONT BREAK LEAVER IS HARD AS A ROCK. YOU CAN`T SQUEEZE THE BREAK HANDLE TO APPLY FRONT BREAKS. THERE IS NO BYPASS BUILT INTO THE BREAK SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS BREAKS TO ACT AS A MANUAL BREAKING SYSTEM. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL…
04/02/2016 · Brakes
REAR BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT BE ENGAGED , SOLID AS A ROCK,NO REAR BRAKES PRESURE. HAS ABS SYSTEM. HAPPENED WHILE LEAVING MY HOUSE, LOOKS LIKE THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT REAR BRAKE VALVE IS IN THE SHUT POSITION PREVENTING HYDRAULIC OIL TO THE REAR BRAKE.ABS LIGHT WORKING NOMAL.
01/12/2015 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON VRSCDX (NIGHT ROD). THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NON FUNCTIONAL AND FAILED TO READ THE AMOUNT OF FUEL WITHIN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.
04/01/2012 · Engine · crash
THROTTLE STUCK ON MY 2012 V-ROD NIGHT ROD SPECIAL. THE BIKE HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE THROTTLE STUCK I COULD NOT MOVE IT EITHER DIRECTION. I N TRYING TO SLOW THE BIKE I LOST CONTROL AND WRECKED THE BIKE. *TR