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2004 Buell XB12sProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 2004 Buell XB12s, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints70 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage5kExterior lighting, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 29, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Buell XB12s has problems

7 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Exterior lighting50
Electrical system20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2004 Buell XB12s recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buell.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other XB12s year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the XB12s median. How we score

'04'05'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What XB12s owners report

Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

HEADLIGHTS BECOME DIMMER AND DIMMER, BULBS OK, CHROME FINISH ON INSIDE OF HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS COMES OFF SO BULBS DO NOT REFLECT MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS. BUELL CHAT SITES CONFIRM OTHERS WITH XBR MODELS HAVING SAME FAILURES. *JB
Complaint 10183299 · Feb 22, 2007
HEADLIGHT ON BUELL MOTORCYCLES "R" MODELS (2004 TO CURRENT YEAR) DEGRADES OVER TIME. THE REFLECTIVE COATING MATERIAL IN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING DEGRADES AND TURNS TO POWDER AND CAUSES THE HEADLIGHT TO BE UN-USEFUL. THE DEGRADE IS CAUSE BY HEAT FROM THE HEADLIGHT. FAILURE ISN'T CORRECTED AS OF TODAY.…
Complaint 10183164 · Feb 21, 2007 · 4,000 miles
THE COATING ON THE INSIDE OF MY HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS FALLING OFF, DRASTICALLY DECREASING LIGHT OUTPUT. I HAD THEM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ONCE FOR THIS ON 11/18/05, WITH 23870 MILES ON THE BIKE. I AM NOW HARDLY ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT AGAIN AND I AM SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN'T SEE ME AS WELL EITHER. *JB
Complaint 10182845 · Feb 17, 2007 · 23,870 miles

Own a 2004 XB12s?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.