2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 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.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 9 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 33.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 22.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 11.1% |
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 | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Electrical System: 6; Engine: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
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. 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11474819 · 2022-07-19 (July 19, 2022)
Twice while at a busy intersection and after stopping, I inadvertently stalled the engine when releasing the clutch after stopping. This is a non-issue if I can immediately restart the engine and get moving. However, when I try to restart the engine to clear the intersection as cars are swerving around me. I hit the starter and it just "screeches" and the engine does not start. I wait several seconds, then hit the start button again and the engine started and I cautiously move on. This has happened twice at busy intersections and puts me a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11474819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475524 · 2022-07-24 (July 24, 2022)
While riding this motorcycle, I stopped for gas and then went to restart the motorcycle and the starter just "screeched" rather that starting the engine. On second attempt, the bike started however the normal idle RPMs of around 1200 went up to 4000 and would not drop back to normal RPM. (I have had this bike take as many as 4 start attempts, twice while stuck in busy intersections and previously reported to NHTSA the failure to start at busy intersections as a safety concern, This complaint is for a second/different safety concern.) Followi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475538 · 2022-07-24 (July 24, 2022)
2021 Harley Pan America engine electrical/ engine issue the bike will lock itself at 4k rpm when applying throttle nothing will happen. The bike is stuck at 4k rpm and will force you to crawl and not let you speed up. Causing you to be in danger of vehicles and not being able to escape any situation. It will flash a check engine light and show that traction control, and general warning lights are active. The exhaust pipes will glow yellow in this limo mode and you can smell something burning. This bike will also have a fault in which the bike …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11485082 · 2022-09-18 (September 18, 2022)
The radiator hose on the right side is not tightly clamped to the radiator hose mount. Vibration causes it to slip backward and contact the exhaust header which burns the radiator hose and causing catastrophic loss of coolant which can lead to engine seizure. Engine seizure while riding puts the rider, any passengers, and other motorists at risk.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11485082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11523869 · 2023-05-25 (May 25, 2023)
The fuel pump on my HD motorcycle had been making lots of noise. I had it in the shop for this reason before.. The bike was supposed to be fixed.. I went for a ride with my son and when I pulled out on the highway getting up to highway speed the bike quit without warning.. This was on a two-lane Highway and the cars behind me Layed on their horns.. everyone was was upset with me.. I didn't have much room to pull off the road and there was oncoming traffic in the other lane, I could have been ran over..
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11523869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11568995 · 2024-01-31 (January 31, 2024)
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the electronics of the motorcycle malfunction with many (more than 10) DTCs. Yes its available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I am at risk when the this happens because the motorcycles throttle no longer responds to inputs. The engine will continue to run bu the throttle does not work. Very dangerous to have a motorcycle in traffic that stops working. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a deale…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11568995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11620916 · 2024-10-20 (October 20, 2024)
The motorcycle has no power when passing a vehicle do to a bad stator and charging system. The motorcycle is currently at the dealer Loss of power when passing a vehicle Yes this issue has been confirmed by the dealer No warning lights or messages. There are no replacement parts for this issue other then upgrading the charging system to the 24 model
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11620916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11663738 · 2025-05-29 (May 29, 2025)
Fuel pump and filtration System filter getting plugged and creating a fuel starvation, not allowing for more than 50% power. Created an issue of merging and accelerating into traffic and the need to maneuver and speed up to avoid dangerous situations or diminished or our are actually gone as the bike will totally cut out and stop running. That occurrence of the vehicle cutting out has occurred several dozen times The belief is in the community for Panama Harley Davidson motorcycles. There’s a nonreplaceable fuel filter that is getting plugged …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11663738 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V030000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
Reported: 2022-01-25 (January 25, 2022)
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."
Consequence: Operating a motorcycle without a visible speedometer or neutral indicator may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗