2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RH1250S years
- Not enough data 3rd of 6 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S. That ranks 3rd out of 6 RH1250S model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (2 complaints, 67%). There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 3owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 67% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 33% | 11,941 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering:linkages
Problem: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley) is recalling certain 2021-2026 RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Risk: An upper triple clamp that fractures can lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V590. Motorcycles that were repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed.
Steering:linkages
Problem: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 0190.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Problem: 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 123, "Motorcycle Controls and Displays."
Risk: Operating a motorcycle without a visible speedometer or neutral indicator may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
While riding the motorcycle, engine suddenly began making a loud clacking noise. Brought motorcycle in to Harley Davidson dealer and it was diagnosed that they cam chain tensior had become loose and was destroyed inside the engine causing small bits of metal to clog oil ports and damage the engine…
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…
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…
Other Harley-Davidson RH1250S years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 RH1250S | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 RH1250S | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 RH1250S | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 RH1250S | 6 | 2 |
| 2022 RH1250S | 5 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
See all Harley-Davidson RH1250S 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 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S?
Owners most often report engine, structure problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RH1250S model years, the 2021 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.