2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
3
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S
The 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S has received a total of 3 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Harley-Davidson Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (1 complaint), Structureframe And Members (1 complaint), and Structuremotorcyclefairingcowlingwindscreenmounting Fastenershardware (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S, potentially affecting up to 34,083 vehicles.
Recall 25V590000 — STEERING:LINKAGES
| 8,424 vehicles affected
Defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Consequence: An upper triple clamp that fractures while the motorcycle is being operated could lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper triple clamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 1, 2025. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0191.
View full details →Recall 25V590000 — STEERING:LINKAGES
| 8,424 vehicles affected
Defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Consequence: An upper triple clamp that fractures while the motorcycle is being operated could lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper triple clamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 1, 2025. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0191.
View full details →Recall 22V030000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 3,917 vehicles affected
Defect: Harley Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2021 Pan America 1250S (RA1250S), Pan America 1250 (RA1250), and Sportster S (RH1250S) motorcycles. The instrument cluster module may not display the speedometer and neutral indicator at start-up when the module is below freezing temperatures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number...
Consequence: Operating a motorcycle without a visible speedometer or neutral indicator may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 8, 2022. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0631.
View full details →Recall 22V030000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 3,917 vehicles affected
Defect: Harley Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2021 Pan America 1250S (RA1250S), Pan America 1250 (RA1250), and Sportster S (RH1250S) motorcycles. The instrument cluster module may not display the speedometer and neutral indicator at start-up when the module is below freezing temperatures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number...
Consequence: Operating a motorcycle without a visible speedometer or neutral indicator may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 8, 2022. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0631.
View full details →Recall 26V075000 — STEERING:LINKAGES
| 9,401 vehicles affected
Defect: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley) is recalling certain 2021-2026 RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Consequence: An upper triple clamp that fractures can lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the upper triple clamp, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 19, 2026. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0191....
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Members | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structuremotorcyclefairingcowlingwindscreenmounting Fastenershardware | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
There is a known issue with he engines in these motorcycles where the bolt for the timing chain tensioner comes loose and causes excessive wear in the timing chain guid with causes the timing chain tensioner to come apart inside of the engine which will cause the engine to have to be replaced due to loose metal fragments in the engine. I went to my local dealer yesterday 12/27/2025 to talk to them about my issues and one of the mechanics pulled me back too look at a bike with the same issue and the engines was completely disassembled so they can fix it.
The contact owns a 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S. The contact stated that the motorcycle was ridden 17-miles to work. The contact stated that after completing the workday and riding back to the residence, there was an abnormal whizzing sound coming from the motorcycle while riding on the Interstate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the bolts on the frame tube were damaged. The contact stated that another motorist motioned for him to stop. The contact pulled over and noticed that the hold assembly had detached from the motorcycle and was being dragged by the signal and brake lights. The bolts had sheared off. The local dealer was not contacted. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 11,941.
The contact owns a 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S. The contact stated that the motorcycle was ridden 17-miles to work. The contact stated that after completing the workday and riding back to the residence, there was an abnormal whizzing sound coming from the motorcycle while riding on the Interstate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the bolts on the frame tube were damaged. The contact stated that another motorist motioned for him to stop. The contact pulled over and noticed that the hold assembly had detached from the motorcycle and was being dragged by the signal and brake lights. The bolts had sheared off. The local dealer was not contacted. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 11,941.
Safety Rating for the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S
Harley-Davidson Motor Company has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
M1553 — EQUIPMENT
SERVICE BULLETIN M1553: REVOLUTION MAX SPECIAL TOOL HD-53023 UPDATE. PURPOSE: To inform dealers that Harley-Davidson has updated the Camshaft Chain Retraction tool for all Revolution® Max powertrains. The original tool (Part No. HD-53023) was made with a wire gauge too large to fit into the camshaft chain tensioner access hole...
M1569 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE BULLETIN M1569: PAN AMERICA AND SPORTSTER S INSTRUMENT MODULE UPDATE. PURPOSE: This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has identified an Instrument Module (IM) software concern on 2021 and 2022 Pan America and Sportster S models. There are two concerns that are being addressed with a software update to the...
M1541 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SERVICE BULLETIN M1541: 2021 PAN AMERICA/SPORTSTER S FUEL LINE PDI. PUPORSE: This bulletin is to inform dealers the Predelivery Inspection (PDI) procedure for checking the fuel line connection has been updated. View the latest version in Service Information Portal (SIP).
M1537 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SERVICE BULLETIN M1537: 2021 SPORTSTER S - INITIAL CARE. PURPOSE: Revision. The purpose of this program is to monitor Harley-Davidson quality delivered to the customers and assist dealers with diagnostics and support on this newly released motorcycle. Harley-Davidson Technical Service is providing an Initial Care program for 2021 Sportster S...
M1537 — EQUIPMENT
SERVICE BULLETIN M1537: 2021 SPORTSTER S - INITIAL CARE. PURPOSE: Revision. The purpose of this program is to monitor Harley-Davidson quality delivered to the customers and assist dealers with diagnostics and support on this newly released motorcycle. Harley-Davidson Technical Service is providing an Initial Care program for 2021 Sportster S...
M1537 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
SERVICE BULLETIN M1537: 2021 SPORTSTER S - INITIAL CARE. PURPOSE: Revision. The purpose of this program is to monitor Harley-Davidson quality delivered to the customers and assist dealers with diagnostics and support on this newly released motorcycle. Harley-Davidson Technical Service is providing an Initial Care program for 2021 Sportster S...
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S
- 2021 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S (current)
- 2022 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S — 4 complaints
- 2023 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S — 4 complaints
- 2024 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S — 1 complaint
- 2025 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S — 0 complaints
- 2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON RH1250S — 0 complaints
Other HARLEY-DAVIDSON Models
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU — 331 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX — 233 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK — 209 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTC — 130 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON HARLEY DAVIDSON — 129 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUI — 127 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON XG750 — 123 total complaints
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG — 107 total complaints