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2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200rProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200r, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints42 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage8kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 28, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200r has problems

4 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
Service brakes, hydraulic41

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

1 recall

2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200r 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 Harley-Davidson.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Sportster 1200r 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 Sportster 1200r median. How we score

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

What Sportster 1200r owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, BUT THE BRAKES LOCKED AND NEVER UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP ON ITS SIDE AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WAS…
Complaint 10229060 · May 28, 2008 · 13,400 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V201000, REGARDING THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Complaint 10166552 · Aug 25, 2006 · 17,365 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED NHTSA RECALL LETTER, #06V201000 WAS RECEIVED REGARDING THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXHIBITED PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE…
Complaint 10164537 · Aug 4, 2006 · 400 miles

Own a 2004 Sportster 1200r?

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