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#BS-2012-HARSOF-69B22012 Harley-Davidson SoftailProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 4 owners and 1 recall for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 8, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Green Light
Based on 4 complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 1 recalls.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
1 owners reported drivetrain issues — failures commonly reported around 1K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Drivetrain (1 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2012 Harley-Davidson Softail: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 1,200 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 1K-mile mark.
Power Train:clutch Assembly Issues
Power Train:clutch Assembly complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to power train:clutch assembly-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder Issues
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Wheels & Tires Issues
Wheels & Tires complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to wheels & tires-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail. Recent trend: decreasing.



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Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (1 recall)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 4 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 1 recall found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 13, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 8, 2026.
Other Harley-Davidson Softail Model Years
View all Harley-Davidson Softail years →2012 Harley-Davidson Softail: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail?
Is the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail problems?
Does the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail have any recalls?
What mileage do Harley-Davidson Softail problems start?
When was the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail data last updated?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 4 owner reports. Know before you buy.