2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RH1250S years
- Not enough data 1st of 6 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S. That is the most of any RH1250S model year in the database (6 years). The most reported problem area is steering (3 complaints, 50%), typically at around 4,200 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 6owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2023 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3 | 50% | 4,200 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 33% | 13,350 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 17% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S recalls (2)
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.
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.
Cam tensioner bolt that holds the tensioner in place, broke causing the tensioner to come loose, making the engine make a loud ticking noise and eventually making the engine inoperable.
The contact owns a 2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250 Sportster S. The contact stated received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V590000 (Steering) and 26V075000 (Steering); and the vehicle developed a secondary failure in the steering bearings. The contact stated that the recall repair caused the…
The contact owns a 2023 Harley Davidson RH1250S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V590000 (STEERING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated…
The contact owns a 2023 Harley Davidson RH1250S. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V590000 (STEERING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that…
Fuel filters clog due to reaction of alcohol in fuel and bare fuel tank. 2024 models are having the fuel tanks coated to prevent the problem. Folders bikes stall creating a safety hazard. This issue should be a recall.
Other Harley-Davidson RH1250S years
← 2022 RH1250S · 2024 RH1250S →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 RH1250S | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 RH1250S | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 RH1250S | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 | 6 | 2 |
| 2022 RH1250S | 5 | 2 |
| 2021 RH1250S | 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 2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S?
Owners most often report steering, engine, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 3 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2023 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 2023 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.