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2008 Buell 1125r Recalls & Complaints

2

open safety recalls on record

Serious

9 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.44 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Serious08V267000

Power Train:Clutch Assembly

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH, WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL MOTORCYCLES AT 1-414-343-8400.

BUELL IS RECALLING 1,579 MY 2008 1125R MOTORCYCLES. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE 5TH GEAR GALLING ON THE CLUTCH SHAFT DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE GEAR TO SEIZE TO THE SHAFT, RESULTING IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP.

Serious09V109000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS CONDITION MIGHT CAUSE AN INEFFECTIVE FRONT BRAKE, LEADING TO A POSSIBLE CRASH AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH OF THE RIDER.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE FRONT BRAKE LINE. IF DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE LINE HAS OCCURRED, THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY AT 1-414-343-8400.

BUELL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY IS RECALLING 3,316 MY 2008 1125R, MY 2009 XB12R AND XB12SCG MOTORCYCLES. THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES HAVE A FRONT BRAKE LINE WHICH MAY CONTACT THE FRONT TIRE. THE CONDITION COULD CAUSE A HOLE TO DEVELOP IN THE FRONT BRAKE LINE, ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Complaint volume

9 this model-year 9 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

2Crashes
0Fires
0Injuries
0Deaths

Across 9 complaints. Severity Index 0.44.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Power Train2 · 22%Power Train · Driveline1 · 11%Electrical System1 · 11%Engine And Engine Cooling1 · 11%Vehicle Speed Control1 · 11%Power Train · Clutch Asse…1 · 11%Wheels1 · 11%Suspension1 · 11%
  1. Power Train — 2 reports
  2. Power Train:Driveline — 1 reports
  3. Electrical System — 1 reports
  4. Engine And Engine Cooling — 1 reports
  5. Vehicle Speed Control — 1 reports
  6. Power Train:Clutch Assembly — 1 reports
  7. Wheels — 1 reports
  8. Suspension — 1 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

2008 · 2009

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.

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