2004 Buell XB12S
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Buell › XB12S › 2004
These records cover every 2004 Buell XB12S. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2004 Buell XB12S. Newest first.
On certain motorcycles, the wire that provides power to the horn, due to misrouting, can become frayed from contact with the horn bracket mounting bolt. as a result, the horn wire may become exposed, and when the horn button IS pushed, either the horn circuit fuse or the key switch fuse can blow.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the key switch fuse blows, the vehicle can stall, which could result in a crash. if the horn fuse blows, there will be a loss of power to the horn and rear brake light.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and correct the wire routing, if necessary. owner notification began on december 23, 2003. owners should contact buell at 1-414-342-4680.
Owner complaints
7 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
2004 buell xb12r. Poor lighting due to deterioration of inside reflector. *Tr
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlights become dimmer and dimmer, bulbs ok, chrome finish on inside of headlight housings comes off so bulbs do not reflect making night driving dangerous. Buell chat sites confirm others with xbr models having same failures. *jb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights · Exterior lighting › Headlights › Concealment devices
Headlight on buell motorcycles "r" models (2004 to current year) degrades over time. The reflective coating material in the headlight housing degrades and turns to powder and causes the headlight to be un-useful. The degrade IS cause by heat from the headlight. failure isn't corrected as of today. *Jb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The coating on the inside of my headlight housing IS falling off, drastically decreasing light output. I had them replaced under warranty once for this on 11/18/05, with 23870 miles on the bike. I am now hardly able to see at night again and I am sure that people can't see me as well either. *jb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights · Exterior lighting › Headlights › Concealment devices
Silver coating on headlights deteriorates rapidly causing poor illumination and unsafe night time driving and reducing the motorcycles visibility during the day. I am sure the light output IS far below dot standards vehicle IS an xb12r firebolt, not an xb12s. The xb12r was not listed as an option. *Jb
- Electrical system
While riding my 2004 buell xb12s motorcycle though the asm america, inc. Parking lot (3440 east university drive phoenix az 85034) at approximately 11:00 am the on 07-19-06 the following occurred. the motorcycle lost all power and I coasted to a stop into a parking spot: 1.riding through the…
While riding my 2004 buell xb12s motorcycle though the asm america, inc. Parking lot (3440 east university drive phoenix az 85034) at approximately 11:00 am the on 07-19-06 the following occurred. the motorcycle lost all power and I coasted to a stop into a parking spot: 1.riding through the parking lot at about 5-10 mph. 2.THE motorcycle engine stopped running. 3.THE motorcycle electrical system completely failed as if the motorcycle has been turned off including loss of horn, turn signals, brake lights, license plate light, rear tail light, head light, instrument lights, warning lights, speedometer and tachometer. 4.IF I had been merging onto the freeway at night I probably would have been killed as I would have had no way to signal I was leaving the highway! the dealer IS still investigating why the vehicle stopped running.
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables · Electrical system › Wiring
I am reporting a potentially hazardous problem with my 2004 buell xb12s motorcycle. I have observed this same situation on all similar bikes that I have looked at. Under the seat, the ecm cable harness rests against the negative battery terminal and there are signs of abrasion from vibration.*ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10026801Buell motorcycle: the engine oil drain plug torque has changed to 26-29 ft lbs (35.3-39.3nm) for all models listed.
Every Buell XB12S model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.