2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250S recalls
Reported Jan 25, 2022 · 3,917 vehicles affected · Harley-Davidson Motor Company
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.
2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250S problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Electrical System | 9 | |
| Engine | 5 | |
| Power Train | 4 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | |
| Wheels | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | |
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250S complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Wheels · reported Sep 23, 2026
My motorcycle suffered a serious engine failure at approximately 12,500 km (7,800 miles) while I was riding. Before the failure, I noticed an unusual ticking/rattling noise coming from the engine, especially when the engine was under load or when the throttle was closed. The failure occurred while riding and caused a sudden loss of engine performance. This happened while I was in traffic and I was extremely close to having an accident because the motorcycle did not respond as expected when I needed power. After the motorcycle was inspected, the failure was found to be related to the…
Engine · reported Sep 23, 2026
My motorcycle suffered a serious engine failure at approximately 12,500 km (7,800 miles) while I was riding. Before the failure, I noticed an unusual ticking/rattling noise coming from the engine, especially when the engine was under load or when the throttle was closed. The failure occurred while riding and caused a sudden loss of engine performance. This happened while I was in traffic and I was extremely close to having an accident because the motorcycle did not respond as expected when I needed power. After the motorcycle was inspected, the failure was found to be related to the…
Power Train · reported Sep 15, 2026
The cam chain tensioner failed while driving down the road, resulting in reduced power during a pass that almost resulted in an accident. There are no maintenance requirements for this component and there are numerous reports of this failing in motorcycles equipped with the Revolution Max engine. On this engine, the cam chain tensioner is held in place with a bolt that is apparently a torque to spec item with no locking mechanism. During the course of normal operation, the bolt backs out and can have varying degrees of damage. In this case, the forward cylinder cam chain became dislodged from…
Electrical System · reported Jun 23, 2026
The charging system for the battery failed when I was on an out of state road trip. The voltage of the bike would drop between 11 and 12 volts when slowing down. I slowed down to make a tight turn on a canyon highway when the bike lost power and stalled. The motorcycle continued to stall several more times while in motion on the highway and I had a difficult time restarting the motorcycle on the side of the highway each time. I ended up purchasing a new battery thinking it would solve the problem. It worked for another few hundred miles until the new battery was also depleted and I had the…
Electrical System · reported Jun 23, 2026
The engine stalled when I was exiting the freeway due to the charging system failure. This is the second time the charging system failed. The first failure has been documented on NHTSA complaint number 11746092. I paid the Harley Davidson SLC dealership in April 2024 to have the charging system repaired and replaced. Harley Davidson had released a service bulletin acknowledging charging system deficiencies on 2021-2023 Pan America models and subsequently redesigned the entire charging system for the2024 model year. This is a documented pattern and not just an isolated failure. Regarding the…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250S have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250S: 22V-030 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250S?
Owners report electrical system problems most often (9 reports), followed by engine (5).
Are Harley-Davidson recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Harley-Davidson dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.