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2002 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom SportsterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2002 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom Sportster, 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 complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage9kExterior lighting, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 25, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom Sportster has problems

2 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 lighting20

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

1 recall

2002 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom Sportster 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.

–no report yet

Rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Recall 03V-058 · Feb 21, 2003 · 11,952 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND PRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK OF CRASH, INJURY, OR DEATH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 Harley-Davidson.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other 1200 Custom Sportster 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 1200 Custom Sportster median. How we score

'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What 1200 Custom Sportster owners report

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

EXCESSIVE AND INFERIOR DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT BRACKET ON 2002 XL1200 SPORTSTER CAUSE THE INTERNAL BULB TO VIBRATE LOOSE AND GO OUT WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT NEARLY CAUSING A FATAL CRASH AS MULTIPLE VEHICLES PULLED OUT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE I REALIZED THAT I WAS NO LONGER VISIBLE TO OTHER…
Complaint 10332134 · May 25, 2010 · 12,000 miles
STOCK HEADLIGHT WAS FITTED WITH MANUFACTURER'S OPTIONAL HEADLIGHT TRIM RING. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN JUNE 2002. EXCESSIVE HEADLIGHT MOVEMENT/VIBRATION WAS NOTICED ON 6/10/2005. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND THE MOUNTING BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE HEADLIGHT BUCKET WAS CRACKED 9/10TH'S ACROSS. I…
Complaint 10125747 · Jun 19, 2005 · 6,800 miles

Own a 2002 1200 Custom Sportster?

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