Harley-Davidson has announced a recall for the RH1250S Sportster S. With this model, the upper crown plate can tear under extreme loads, which can lead to a crash while driving. In the US alone, it concerns 8,422 engines, of which an estimated 0.2% can actually show the defect.
The reason for the recall goes back to September 2024, when a customer discovered a crack in the crown plate while washing his sports star S and reported this to Harley-Davidson.
Harley’s Technical Subcommissie (TSC) immediately started an investigation into cause, consequences and size. In the period up to August 2025, parts were removed from the field and tested, extensive material analyzes were performed and the cracks could be reproduced via simulations and extreme event tests. Variations in assembly have also been included in the assessment.
Ultimately, the results confirmed that the crown plate could collapse with extreme load. To date, six claims have been received, one of which led to a crash – fortunately without injury.
The solution consists of replacing the crown plate with a new version with adapted geometry and a new part number. The production of the sports star S has currently been stopped and will resume in the fourth quarter of 2025 with the improved crown plate.
Harley-Davidson reports that in some cases drivers can get a warning before the crown plate fails completely. If a crack starts to arise, the rider can observe unusual vibrations or play at the front of the engine while driving. If an owner notices this, it is urgently recommended not to use the engine immediately and to contact the dealer.
Since his introduction in 2021, the sports star S has been one of the most important models in Harley’s Lineup. With its 1250cc V-twin and sporty looks, the engine has brought a new audience to the brand. This recall only affects the aforementioned production series; Harley-Davidson emphasizes that all future production will be provided with the improved crown plate.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.