NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Buell 1125CR Recalls & Complaints

The 2009 Buell 1125CR has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 44 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buell dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Buell 1125CR. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2009 Buell 1125CR owner complaints

Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Buell 1125CR, describing incidents dated October 11, 2009 to December 1, 2017.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 41 complaints
Engine 13 complaints
Exterior Lighting 7 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11091489 · Filed May 3, 2018
AS I WAS RIDING AT 40-45 MPH I NOTICED A BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. SHORT TIME LATER MY DISPLAY READ (SYSTEM VOLTAGE) WITHIN MINUTES EVERYTHING ON MY BIKE SHUT OFF INCLUDING ENGINE ABRUPTLY NEATLY TOSSING ME OFF THE BIKE. THANKFULLY, I MANAGED TO STAY ON AND SAFELY (ONLY BECAUSE DRIVERS WERE PAYING…
ODI #10505412 · Filed April 2, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OVERHEAT SITUATION, BURNT STATOR DUE TO OVER HEATING ON A POORLY DESIGNED CHARGING SYSTEM. I'M NOT THE FIRST AND DEFINITELY NOT THE LAST WITH THIS ISSUE THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON CHOOSES TO OVERLOOK INSTEAD OF FIXING THE PROBLEM. FOR THE FEW OWNERS THAT HAD THIS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY…
ODI #10504118 · Filed March 22, 2013
MOTORCYCLE LOST POWER AND STALLED AT INTERSECTION UPON ACCELERATION. *TR

Read all 44 complaints

Owner-reported

2009 Buell 1125CR mileage at failure

43 of the 44 complaints on file for the 2009 Buell 1125CR give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Electrical System	Median 5,000 miles	Middle half 4,000–8,000 miles	Based on 41 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Buell 1125CR in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE12-035: Motorcycle Stalling
Closed April 16, 2013
Preliminary Evaluation PE10-004: SUDDEN FUEL EXPULSION
Closed May 10, 2010

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

REAR CYLINDER CAM CHAIN TENSION GUIDE

NHTSA #08V554000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported October 20, 2008 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 140 vehicles

Buell campaign 0836 · Owners notified October 20, 2008 · Vehicles built April 11, 2008 – September 11, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BUELL IS RECALLING 140 MY 2009 1125CR MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES CAN EXPERIENCE A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE REAR CYLINDER CAM CHAIN TENSION GUIDE (PART NUMBER F0020.1AM). THIS CAN CAUSE PLASTIC DEBRIS TO BLOCK THE OIL PUMP SCREEN, POSSIBLY LEADING TO OIL STARVATION AND ENGINE SEIZURE.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO SEIZE, RESULTING IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH, WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CAM CHAIN TENSIONER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-342-4680.

Notes

BUELL RECALL NO. 0836.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2009 Buell 1125CR. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

44 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Buell 1125CR.

Electrical System

ODI #11091489

Incident: December 1, 2017 · Filed: May 3, 2018

AS I WAS RIDING AT 40-45 MPH I NOTICED A BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. SHORT TIME LATER MY DISPLAY READ (SYSTEM VOLTAGE) WITHIN MINUTES EVERYTHING ON MY BIKE SHUT OFF INCLUDING ENGINE ABRUPTLY NEATLY TOSSING ME OFF THE BIKE. THANKFULLY, I MANAGED TO STAY ON AND SAFELY (ONLY BECAUSE DRIVERS WERE PAYING ATTENTION) WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND STOP. MY BIKE AT THIS TIME HAD 3800 MILES. HARLEY REPAIRED THE ISSUE THAT THEY SAID WAS A BURNT STATOR THUS DEPLETING MY BATTERY OF ANY POWER. I'M GREAT FULL I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY! AFTER SOME RESEARCH THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 100% OF THE 2009 1125CR'S AND R'S. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND SHAME ON HARLEY DAVIDSON FOR NOT CARING AND DOING THE RIGHT THING! ALSO SHAME ON NHTSA FOR NOT PROTECTING THE CONSUMER!!! WHAT MORE IS NEEDED??? 100% OF THESE STOCK BIKES HAVE THIS ISSUE!!! WWHY IS THIS NOT RECALLED??? IS IT CAUSE HARLEY IS A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BRAND??? PROTECT THE CONSUMER, DO YOUR JOB!!!!!!!!

Electrical System

ODI #10505412

Incident: June 6, 2012 · Filed: April 2, 2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OVERHEAT SITUATION, BURNT STATOR DUE TO OVER HEATING ON A POORLY DESIGNED CHARGING SYSTEM. I'M NOT THE FIRST AND DEFINITELY NOT THE LAST WITH THIS ISSUE THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON CHOOSES TO OVERLOOK INSTEAD OF FIXING THE PROBLEM. FOR THE FEW OWNERS THAT HAD THIS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, HD ONLY CHANGED THE BURNT PARTS WITH THE IDENTICAL REPLACEMENT WHICH FAILS AGAIN ON NEARLY ALL REPAIRED BIKES. ERIK BUELL RACING HAS COME UP WITH A PARTIAL FIX BUT, THAT COST ($455) COMES OUT THE OWNERS POCKET, NOT THE MANUFACTURER. PLUS THE COST OF OTHER PARTS, STATOR REBUILD, GASKETS, SPECIFIC TOOLS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR PROPERLY. *TR

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10504118

Incident: April 11, 2010 · Filed: March 22, 2013

MOTORCYCLE LOST POWER AND STALLED AT INTERSECTION UPON ACCELERATION. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10501326

Incident: January 16, 2013 · Filed: March 5, 2013

PRIOR TO THE FIRST INCIDENT THE MOTORCYCLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR TRAVELING AT A CONSERVATIVE SPEED BEHIND A LEADER OF A PACK OF RIDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A LOCATION WHERE THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ROUGHLY 45 DEGREES F FOR ABOUT 30-45 MINUTES. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE MOTORCYCLE, POWER WOULD SUCCESSFULLY CYCLE AND THE ELECTRIC STARTER SWITCH WOULD PRODUCE CRANKING WITH THE OPERATING SWITCH ENGAGED AND KEY TURNED TO ON, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TROUBLE GETTING TO AN OPERATIONAL IDLE STATE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM'S ABILITY CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE, RESULTING IN MORE DELAYED STARTS AND SEVERELY IMPACTED OPERATING INTEGRITY. DURING MOVING OPERATION, THE MOTORCYCLE'S LCD DISPLAY BACKLIGHT WOULD EXTINGUISH ALONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE RPM NEEDLE WOULD REGULARLY DROP TO 0 AND STAY THERE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO KEEP THE MOTORCYCLE AROUND 5000 RPMS (RECOMMENDED OPERATING RPM TO PRESERVE LIFE OF NOTORIOUSLY DEFECTIVE STATOR). THE VEHICLE PRESENTS A BUCKING AND JERKING MOTION WHILE OPERATING AT CONSERVATIVE SPEEDS (UNDER 6000 RPMS ACCELERATING VERY GRADUALLY), RESULTING IN SPORADIC ACCELERATIONS/DECELERATIONS AND REDUCTION OF OPERATOR CONTROL. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST POWER ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENTS, AND 7 TIMES WITH RELATIVELY SAFE SURROUNDINGS. THE MOTORCYCLE IS CURRENTLY IN A STATE OF SOLITARY NON-OPERATION (NEEDS EXTERNAL POWER SOURCE TO START) AND I DO NOT FEEL RESPONSIBLE RIDING IT. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THE MANUFACTURER'S BEHALF IN TERMS OF RECALLING THE STATOR ASSEMBLY AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT ARE WELL-KNOWN FOR THEIR FAILURE. BUELL FORUMS ONLINE CLEARLY REFLECT THIS, THEY CAN BE CITED UPON REQUEST. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10500664

Incident: July 24, 2011 · Filed: February 27, 2013

AT AROUND JULY 24TH, 2011 I WAS RIDING MY 2009 BUELL 1125CR HOME AT ABOUT 1AM FROM EASTON, PA. AS I CROSSED INTO NJ MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SO I PROCEEDED TO HEAD HOME WITH ABOUT 20 MILES TO GO. AS I GOT TO MY EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY (1.5 MILES FROM HOME) THE BIKE SHUT OFF AND SYSTEM VOLTAGE APPEARED SHORTLY BEFORE. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AFTER THE REAR TIRE LOCKED UP CAUSING A SUDDEN SKID OF THE REAR TIRE. I FOUND THAT THE BIKE HAD NOT BEEN CHARGING DUE TO A BURNT OUT STATOR AND FAILED CHARGING SYSTEM. 8 MONTHS LATER AROUND THE MIDDLE OF MAY, 2012 I HAD TAKEN A TRIP DOWN TO FLORIDA AND AFTER 2,000 MILES THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN AS I WAS STRANDED IN DAYTONA. I MANAGED TO GET MY BIKE JUMP STARTED AND RIDE TO THE NEAREST HARLEY DAVIDSON/BUELL DEALER WHERE I HAD TO SPEND $300 ON A NEW BATTERY AND CHARGING RELAY. THIS WAS AT ABOUT 14,000 MILES ON THE ODO. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HAVING CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND REMOVED THE RECALLED CHARGING HARNESS WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE FOR NOW. BUT I AM STILL WORRIED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10500131

Incident: May 15, 2012 · Filed: February 26, 2013

JUST BEFORE TURNING SOUTHBOUND ON H 75 IN DEWEY OKLAHOMA, MY MOTORCYCLE DIED COMPLETELY. HAD I COMMITTED TO THE TURN AND ENTERED THE HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT WITHOUT POWER WITH ONCOMING HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILED STATOR IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MY MOTORCYCLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED BY ROUTE66 HARLEY DAVIDSON IN TULSA TO INSTALL A CORRECTIVE WIRING HARNESS TO FIX THIS KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT APPARENTLY THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS INEFFECTIVE. *TR

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Engine

ODI #10499715

Incident: July 31, 2012 · Filed: February 22, 2013

THE STATOR AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED GIVING ME ISSUES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE BIKE. I FIRST HAD MY VOLTAGE REGULATOR GO OUT ON ME. I THEN HAD THE WARRANTY HARNESS UPGRADE WHICH WAS SUPPOSED FIX THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BUT IT DIDN'T. PRIOR TO MY STATOR FAILING, THE VOLTAGE WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 11.9 WHICH IS TOO LOW. THE STATOR EVENTUALLY OVER WORKED ITSELF AND MELTED INTERNALLY. THE BIKE STARTED BACKFIRING LOUDLY, LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS GOT VERY DIM AND THE BIKE WAS EXTREMELY HOT AS IT WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. I STOPPED THE BIKE FOR A MINUTE FOR IT TO COOL DOWN. AFTER I DID THAT THE BIKE WOULD NOT START AND STRANDED ME ON THE ROAD 20 MILES FROM HOME. THIS IS A KNOWN ELECTRICAL ISSUE FOR 2009 1125CR MOTORCYCLES. THE FIX AND LABOR COST FOR THIS WAS WELL OVER $1500 AND QUITE THE PAIN AND HASSLE. *TR

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10499639

Incident: February 21, 2013 · Filed: February 22, 2013

ON FEBRUARY 21, 2013 AT 10:40PM, I WAS TRAVELLING NORTH ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TO WORK WHEN MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHICH READS MY SPEED AND VEHICLE GAUGES TURNED OFF AND MY LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB FLASHED AND BURNED OUT, CAUSING ME TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE ROADWAY TEMPORARILY. I SWITCHED MY HIGH-BEAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO HAVE LIGHT TO SEE THE ROADWAY AND A SECOND LATER, IT ALSO FLASHED AND BURNED OUT, AS IF MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY, AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED AT MILEAGE 4551. I JUST RECENTLY HAD THIS SYSTEM SERVICED WITH ANOTHER VOLTAGE REGULATOR AT MILEAGE 4488, WHICH MEANS I ONLY TRAVELLED 63 MILES ON THE NEW VOLTAGE REGULATOR. I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT MILEAGE 4480 WHEN MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TURNED OFF DURING OPERATION AND NEARLY HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE STRIKE ME FROM BEHIND WHEN VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TURNED OFF AND STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BY MANUFACTURER. THIS IS THE 2ND SAFETY ISSUE I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AND LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. I WILL BE SENDING VEHICLE TO MAINTENANCE SHOP FOR A 2ND TIME TO TRY AND HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE REPAIRED, AGAIN. ANY HELP THAT NHTSA CAN DO TO HELP SOLVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10496804

Incident: July 24, 2010 · Filed: February 8, 2013

I HAVE HAD TWO FAILURES OF THE STATOR/ROTOR CHARGING SYSTEM IN MY BIKE, ONE AT APPROX. 8200MI AND ANOTHER AT APPROX 15,000MI BOTH WHILE RIDING. INITIAL FAILURE WAS DURING THE SUMMER TIME, BIKE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTS, IT THEN SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE TRAVELLING APPROX 45-50MPH, CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO SKID BEFORE I PULLED THE CLUTCH AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. THIS FORCED ME TO PULL OVER ON THE NARROW SHOULDER OF A BUSY HIGHWAY AND WAIT FOR A TOW COMPANY TO RETRIEVE THE BIKE AND MYSELF. I SPENT TWO HOURS WAITING ON THE HOT TARMAC AND HAD TO HAND PUSH THE BIKE TO A SAFER LOCATION IN ORDER TO LOAD IT UP ON THE TRAILER WITHOUT BLOCKING TRAFFIC. DEALER REPLACED STATOR UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, CAUSE DUE TO OVERHEATING OF STATOR UNIT. DATE APPROX 7/24/2010, MILEAGE APPROX 8200MI SECOND FAILURE WAS DURING LATER SUMMER/FALL, BIKE AGAIN STARTED TO SPUTTER, I HAPPENED TO BE IN TOWN AT THE TIME AND FORTUNATELY, MANAGED TO GET TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE IT PROMPTLY AND SUDDENLY STALLED AS I ROLLED TO A STOP IN THE PARKING LOT. DEALER REPLACED STATOR AND ROTOR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO HEAT RELATED FAILURE. DATE APPROX 9/25/2013, MILEAGE APPROX 15,000MI. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10496694

Incident: December 4, 2012 · Filed: February 7, 2013

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND ON A HIGHWAY, AT 50 MPH WITH A STEADY THROTTLE, WHICH THE POWER TO THE MOTORCYCLE CUT OUT, AND I WAS FORCED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED DUE TO THE POWER NOT BEING ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT HAVING POWER. THE BIKE WAS ABLE TO BE RE-STARTED AND FINISH MY JOURNEY HOME. *TR

Check your 2009 Buell 1125CR VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buell 1125CR at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Buell VIN