NHTSA vehicle safety data

2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S Recalls & Complaints

The 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S, describing incidents dated May 19, 2025 to March 30, 2026.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Structure 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11734248 · Filed April 28, 2026
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…
ODI #11707329 · Filed December 28, 2025
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…
ODI #11662144 · Filed May 20, 2025
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…

Read all 3 complaints

Upper Triple Clamp May Fracture

NHTSA #26V075000 · Steering — Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported February 9, 2026 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 9,401 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0191 · Owners notified February 18, 2026 · Vehicles built starting May 18, 2021 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley) is recalling certain 2021-2026 RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.

Safety consequence

An upper triple clamp that fractures can lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V590. Motorcycles that were repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed.

Upper Triple Clamp May Fracture

NHTSA #25V590000 · Steering — Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported September 10, 2025 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 8,424 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0190 · Owners notified October 1, 2025 · Vehicles built starting May 18, 2021 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 0190.

Instrument Cluster Malfunction/FMVSS 123

NHTSA #22V030000 · Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel · NHTSA notice

Reported January 25, 2022 · Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Potentially affected: 3,917 vehicles

Repair completion: 89.2% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Harley-Davidson campaign 0631 · Owners notified February 8, 2022

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

Operating a motorcycle without a visible speedometer or neutral indicator may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S.

Engine

ODI #11734248

Incident: March 30, 2026 · Filed: April 28, 2026

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. The remedy was an engine replacement. Through deliberate research this appears to be an issue with the 2021-2023 model year Sportster S Harley-Davidson motorcycles and should be recalled to remedy the issue before engine failure due to manufacturing negligence.

Engine

ODI #11707329

Incident: December 26, 2025 · Filed: December 28, 2025

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.

Structure

ODI #11662144

Incident: May 19, 2025 · Filed: May 20, 2025

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.

Other Harley-Davidson RH1250S model years

Check your 2021 Harley-Davidson RH1250S VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Harley-Davidson RH1250S at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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