2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 56%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250, 56% of the 9 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11474819, filed 2022-07“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..”
NHTSA complaint #11523869, filed 2023-05“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11485082, filed 2022-09“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11475524, filed 2022-07“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11475538, filed 2022-07Related service bulletins
- 11037861Sep 17, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.9.4): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software…
- 11035941Jul 25, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.8.3): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software…
- 11034748Jun 11, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.7.3): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software…
- 11032452Apr 24, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.6.2): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software…
- 11031172Mar 31, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1720 (REV A): PAN AMERICA ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) UPDATE. PURPOSE: Initial release 3/3/2026. Revision A. 3/30/2026. Updated: Purpose for Service…
- 11031147Mar 31, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.5.2): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software…
- 11031167Mar 14, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1679: AFTERMARKET EXHAUST HEADER DEBRIS. PURPOSE: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has identified instances of premature…
- 11031168Mar 10, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1695 (REV A): PAN AMERICA BCM AND ECM UPDATE. PURPOSE: Revision A. Updated: Purpose for Service Bulletin, Updated engine operation details after a cold start…
- 11028618Jan 28, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1713 (REV B): DTII UPDATE PROCEDURE FOR SOFTWARE VERSION (26.3.2). PURPOSE: Revision B. This bulletin informs dealers that an issue was discovered in the…
- 11028615Jan 28, 2026SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.3.2): DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 27% |
| 2021 | 5 | 56% |
Other parts of the 2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250
6 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Harley-Davidson RA1250
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology