Motorcycles · Harley-Davidson · Cruiser & retro

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Harley-Davidson Sportster S.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2021 to 2026 models.

18owner complaints

3recalls

11%involved a crash, fire or injury

—typical miles at complaint

Harley-Davidson Sportster S years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.

20226 complaints

No single problem: a broken steering stop, the clutch, a loss of power and a hand-control module.

Recall 26V075000 (steering): The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Recall 25V590000 (steering): The upper triple clamp may fracture.

20236 complaints

Half are about the steering recall (25V590000); also clogged fuel filters and a cam tensioner bolt.

1 reported a fire.

Recall 26V075000 (steering): The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Recall 25V590000 (steering): The upper triple clamp may fracture.

After 2023, no model year drew more than 2.

What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.

Every year5 model yearsMost complaints: 2022See every year →ProblemsEngine39% of complaintsengine39%steering33%frame & body6%See problems →Recalls & safety3 recallsFree fix at any dealerSee recalls & safety →Specs & enginesEvery versionpower, weight, seat height and priceSee specs →

Complaints by model year.

20213

20226

20236

20242

20261

Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.

What owners complain about. Share of complaints.

engine39%

steering33%

frame & body6%

transmission & drivetrain6%

electrical6%

Recalls 3

Steering 2026
The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Steering 2025
The upper triple clamp may fracture.
Electrical System 2022
The instrument cluster module may not display the speedometer and neutral indicator at start-up when the module is below freezing temperatures.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.

Harley-Davidson Sportster S

2021–now

121 hpClaimed crank figure

Engine: 1,252 cc liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin Revolution Max 1250TRevolution Max (Pan America, Sportster S) family
Torque: 94 lb-ftclaimed
Weight: 502 lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height: 29.6 in
Price new: $14,999 (2021)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate

From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.

Filed as: RH1250S. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle

Also counted in the Harley-Davidson Sportster family page.

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Updated Nov 14, 2026

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