AI Damage2022 Harley-Davidson RH1250S: common problems
Owners of the 2022 Harley-Davidson RH1250S filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and steering. The maker issued 51 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 51
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 60% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 40% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- Engine: 3 complaints (60% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Steering: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Electronic stability control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 28 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While being test ridden at an undisclosed speed, the steering seized, causing a loss in maintaining the intended direction. The failure nearly caused a crash. The motorcycle rider stopped at a gas station and noticed an unknown metal part had detached and lodged in the upper triple clamp with the bolts detached.
There was no warning light illuminated. The motorcycle was towed to the dealer, and it was determined that the camshaft sensor had caused damages to the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was not repaired.
when attempting this it will just go to 2end or first with a verry hard shift. the dealer informed me that it is a known defect in the clutch. they said the designer just dint take the time needed. so, the dealers are aware.
After owning my motorcycle for less than a year and only having 4211 miles on it, and taking it to the Harley dealership they determined that the 4th gear exploded and sent shrapnel throughout the engine and oil pump.
The steering stop ( right one ) located at the Lower Triple Clamp broke off, No drops or any harsh movements where involved, motorcycle has few hundred miles in it.. There is no stop on how much one can turn the steering towards the left now.. It recently passed VA Inspection.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 14,283 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RH1250S has 3 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 5, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- SERVICE 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 update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER…
- SERVICE 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 update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER…
- SERVICE 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 update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER…
- SERVICE 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 update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER…
- SERVICE BULLETIN M1679
AFTERMARKET EXHAUST HEADER DEBRIS. PURPOSE: Initial release. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has identified instances of premature engine failure due to abrasive particle wear, specifically from…
- SERVICE 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 update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER…
- SERVICE BULLETIN M1713 (REV C)
DTII UPDATE PROCEDURE FOR SOFTWARE VERSION (26.4.3). PURPOSE: Revision C. This bulletin informs dealers that an issue was discovered in the Digital Technician II (DT II) software version (26.0.2), released on November…
- SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.4.3)
DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER…
- SERVICE 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 Digital Technician II (DT II) software version (26.0.2), released on November…
- SERVICE 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 update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER…
- SERVICE BULLETIN M1713
DTII UPDATE PROCEDURE FOR SOFTWARE VERSION (26.1.5). PURPOSE: Initial Release. This bulletin informs dealers that an issue was discovered in the Digital Technician II (DT II) software version (26.0.2), released on…
- SERVICE BULLETIN M1490 (V 26.1.5)
DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II - UPDATES AND RELEASE NOTES. PURPOSE: Revision. This bulletin informs dealers that Harley-Davidson has made a software update to Digital Technician II (DT II). DIGITAL TECHNICIAN II (PART NUMBER…
NHTSA lists 51 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Harley-Davidson RH1250S?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, steering, powertrain. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (20%), warning lights, check engine (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 Harley-Davidson RH1250S?
NHTSA lists 51 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2022 Harley-Davidson RH1250S from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2022 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.