NHTSA vehicle safety data

2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S Recalls & Complaints

The 2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 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 2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S, describing incidents dated December 4, 2023 to August 16, 2026.

Most-cited components

Steering 3 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Of the 6 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11757486 · Filed August 17, 2026
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.
ODI #11722348 · Filed March 5, 2026
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…
ODI #11708743 · Filed January 5, 2026
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…

Read all 6 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

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

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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Harley-Davidson RH1250S.

Engine

ODI #11757486

Incident: August 16, 2026 · Filed: August 17, 2026

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.

Steering

ODI #11722348

Incident: March 4, 2026 · Filed: March 5, 2026

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 damage, and the dealer refused to include the bearings in the recall repair or provide a no-cost repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was being repaired, but the steering bearings were not included in the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,200.

Steering

ODI #11708743

Incident: January 5, 2026 · Filed: January 5, 2026

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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact notified the manufacturer of the issue, and the manufacturer responded by referring the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Steering

ODI #11708741

Incident: January 5, 2026 · Filed: January 5, 2026

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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact notified the manufacturer of the issue, and the manufacturer responded by referring the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11687612

Incident: September 1, 2025 · Filed: September 16, 2025

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.

Engine

ODI #11631599

Fire

Incident: December 4, 2023 · Filed: December 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Harley-Davidson Sportster RH1250S. The contact stated that while while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle lost power and he observed a loud popping noise emanating from the exhaust pipe. On another occasion while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the contact observed flames emanating from the plastic edge of the right front of the seat. The vehicle was steered off the highway and the flames were distinguished by the contact. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they could not replicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,350.

Other Harley-Davidson RH1250S model years

Check your 2023 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.

Check a Harley-Davidson VIN