Model year record

2002 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom Sportster recalls & problems

The 2002 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom Sportster has 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints2filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

VisibilityFeb 21, 2003

Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior

Recall 03V05800011,952 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MIRROR STEM COULD FRACTURE ALLOWING THE MIRROR TO FALL.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND PRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK OF CRASH, INJURY, OR DEATH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MIRRORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Exterior lightingHeadlights	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Exterior lighting
EXCESSIVE AND INFERIOR DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT BRACKET ON 2002 XL1200 SPORTSTER CAUSE THE INTERNAL BULB TO VIBRATE LOOSE AND GO OUT WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT NEARLY CAUSING A FATAL CRASH AS MULTIPLE VEHICLES PULLED OUT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE I REALIZED THAT I WAS NO LONGER VISIBLE TO OTHER VEHICLES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BRACKET WAS CRACKED. I ASKED ABOUT OTHER OPTIONS AS I FEEL THIS PART IS INADEQUATE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT HARLEY UPGRADED THE PART. THAT MEANS THAT HARLEY IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY HARLEY DAVIDISON. *TR
Mar 13, 2010 · 12,000 miles
Exterior lighting › Headlights
STOCK HEADLIGHT WAS FITTED WITH MANUFACTURER'S OPTIONAL HEADLIGHT TRIM RING. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN JUNE 2002. EXCESSIVE HEADLIGHT MOVEMENT/VIBRATION WAS NOTICED ON 6/10/2005. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND THE MOUNTING BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE HEADLIGHT BUCKET WAS CRACKED 9/10TH'S ACROSS. I RODE IT VERY GINGERLY TO THE DEALER,POINTED THIS OUT, AND LEFT THE BIKE THERE FOR REPAIRS. HAD THIS FAILED, ESPECIALLY DURING NIGHT RIDING, IT WOULD HAVE POSED AN UNREASONABLE RISK OF ACCIDENT. IT IS AWAITING A NEW PART. I WILL BE ASKING FOR THE ORIGINAL PART UPON PICKUP FROM DEALER.
Jun 10, 2005 · 6,800 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.