NHTSA vehicle safety data
2021 Harley-Davidson XL1200NS Recalls & Complaints
The 2021 Harley-Davidson XL1200NS has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Harley-Davidson XL1200NS. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2021 Harley-Davidson XL1200NS owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 Harley-Davidson XL1200NS, describing incidents dated May 10, 2022.
Most-cited components
- Steering 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11464111 · Filed
Defective weld on handlebars, snapped at mounting point
Brake Fluid Warning Labels May Detach/FMVSS 122
NHTSA #22V160000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Fluid · NHTSA notice
Reported March 16, 2022 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Potentially affected: 4,177 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Harley-Davidson campaign 0632 · Owners notified April 4, 2022
Defect description
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XL1200X, XL883N, and 2021 XL1200NS XL Sportster motorcycles. The brake fluid warning labels may detach from the brake fluid reservoir caps. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Safety consequence
Missing brake fluid warning labels may lead to improper brake system maintenance, affecting brake performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Harley-Davidson will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. Owners may also take their motorcycles to a dealer for label inspection and replacement, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Harley's number for this recall is 0632.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Headlights May Fail
NHTSA #21V225000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights — Bulbs · NHTSA notice
Reported March 31, 2021 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Potentially affected: 31,346 vehicles
Repair completion: 54.2% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Harley-Davidson campaign 0177 · Owners notified April 15, 2021
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A loss of both headlight beams can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Harley-Davidson XL1200NS model years
Check your 2021 Harley-Davidson XL1200NS VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Harley-Davidson XL1200NS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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