2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 10 complaints (90.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 50.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 20.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 9; Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11622753 · 2024-10-30 (October 30, 2024)
The stator/ rotor on the 2021 Pan America will fail resulting in engine failure, leaving the rider exposed in traffic or stranded. In my case the amp gauge went below 12 and the battery light came on while riding in traffic. Even while running the engine at high RPM's the amp's won't reach 12 (positive charging). My motorcycle died while idling at two traffic lights. I was able to get it restarted and make it home before the battery completely drained. I talked to the local Harley Dealer, and have read forum reports. The 2021 stator/ rotor…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11622753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11689629 · 2025-09-25 (September 25, 2025)
OEM Stator and Rotor failure around 10,000 miles. Failure of adhesive laminate for magnets causing magnets to separate from assembly causing engine to knocking sound, electrical power voltage drop, engine may shut down while in operation / at idle causing safety issue in traffic. In 2024, manufacturer revised design for engine case, increased size of stator and rotor parts, and changed other related electronic parts. Manufacturer then discontinued original part and created an "upgrade kit" for previous 2021-2023 models. Manufacturer has discont…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11689629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11746092 · 2026-06-23 (June 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 t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11746092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11746095 · 2026-06-23 (June 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11746095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11713121 · 2026-01-24 (January 24, 2026)
The fuel pump for the engine is known for failing due to ethanol in the fuel reacting with the bare aluminum. Harley Davidson has recognized this issue with the newer model but has not recalled any of its previous models. This could cause a serious safety risk for the rider or other pedestrians on the roadway as this could cause the bike to suddenly lose all power causing an accident. Many people have mentioned this known issue but Harley Davidson still refuses to seal the aluminum tanks or replace the tank with the later model ones that are al…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11713121 at NHTSA ↗