2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200R Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sportster 1200R years
- Not enough data 1st of 2 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200R. That is the most of any Sportster 1200R model year in the database (2 years). The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (4 complaints, 100%), typically at around 8,450 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 4owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200R problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 100% | 8,450 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200R recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Problem: On certain motorcycles, the front master brake cylinder assembly had been built with inadequate lubrication on the secondary cup. This could cause the sliding resistance of the piston to be excessive, which in turn could cause the return of the piston to be slow upon release of the brake.
Risk: The piston may not return completely. If this happens, the rear brake light could remain illuminated which could cause a crash or injuries.
Fix: Dealers will rebuild the master cylinder. The recall began on july 10, 2006. Owners may contact harley davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Tl*the contact owned a 2004 harley davidson sportster. While driving approximately 65 mph, the contact applied the brake to slow down, but the brakes locked and never unlocked. The vehicle slid to a stop on its side and the contact sustained injuries. The motorcycle was severely damaged. There was…
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's brakes were inoperable. There was a nhtsa recall, #06v201000, regarding the master cylinder. The parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. The manufacturer confirmed the parts were not available.
Dt*: the contact stated nhtsa recall letter, #06v201000 was received regarding the master cylinder. The parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. The manufacturer confirmed the parts are not available. The vehicle has not exhibited problems relating to the…
Dt*: the contact stated that a recall letter was received pertaining to the front master brake cylinder assembly. While driving at night, the back brake lights malfunctioned and would not warn vehicles traveling from behind the motorcycle that it was about to stop. The motorcycle was taken into the…
Other Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200R years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Sportster 1200R | 3 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 | 1 |
See all Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200R problems by year, every Harley-Davidson model, or the Harley-Davidson VIN decoder.
Similar Harley-Davidson models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200R?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200R?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200R a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sportster 1200R model years, the 2004 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.