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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2016–2020

Harley-Davidson XL1200CX recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 owner complaints for the Harley-Davidson XL1200CX, covering model years 2016 to 2020. The 2016 and 2017 model years drew the most complaints (1 each), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Harley-Davidson XL1200CX VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 1 recall campaign on file
  • 2 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 4 model years with data (2016–2020)
  • most complaints: 2016, 2017 (1 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (2 complaints)
  • latest recall 21V225000 (reported Mar 31, 2021)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (50.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Harley-Davidson XL1200CX complaints by model year

2 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2016 and 2017 model years share the highest count, 1 complaints each.

Harley-Davidson XL1200CX complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Harley-Davidson XL1200CX complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
201610010
201710000
All model years20010

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Harley-Davidson XL1200CX components

top 3 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 2 complaints (100.0% of all 2), followed by Electrical System (1) and Fuel/Propulsion System (1).

Components named most often in Harley-Davidson XL1200CX complaints (top 3)
Components named most often in Harley-Davidson XL1200CX complaints (top 3)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine2100.0%
Electrical System150.0%
Fuel/Propulsion System150.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Harley-Davidson XL1200CX recalls

1 campaign · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name XL1200CX, newest first. The only campaign, 21V225000, covers model years 2019 and 2020.

  • 1 recall campaign
Harley-Davidson XL1200CX recall campaigns covering each model year
2019: 1 campaign2020: 1 campaign

  1. NHTSA campaign 21V225000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Bulbs

    Model years 2019–2020

    Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Sportster (XL) motorcycles and 796 headlight assemblies that may have been sold as replacement parts for 2005-2019 Sportster, 2005-2017 Softail, 2005-2017 Dyna, and 2005-2011 V-Rod motorcycles. The glass bulb within the headlight assembly may fail, causing a loss of both high and low beams.

    Consequence:
    A loss of both headlight beams can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will install a headlamp bulb shield, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2021. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0177.

    Filed by Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Harley-Davidson XL1200CX questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Harley-Davidson XL1200CX have?

NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall campaign for the Harley-Davidson XL1200CX, covering model years 2016 to 2020. The campaign, 21V225000, was reported on March 31, 2021 and is filed under “Exterior lighting”. The 2019 and 2020 model years are covered by the most campaigns (1 each).

Which Harley-Davidson XL1200CX model year has the most complaints?

The 2016 and 2017 model years tie, with 1 complaints each out of 2. Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Harley-Davidson XL1200CX complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 2 complaints, or 100.0% of all 2. Electrical System (1) and Fuel/Propulsion System (1) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Harley-Davidson XL1200CX?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Harley-Davidson dealer.

How many Harley-Davidson XL1200CX complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 2 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Harley-Davidson models

8 models · most complaints first

The Harley-Davidson models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Harley-Davidson VIN decoder with every Harley-Davidson model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Harley-Davidson models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.