The Aprilia RS spans 2021–2024 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2022, 2021, 2024 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2023, 2024, 2021. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Aprilia RS is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2021 to 2024 across multiple generations.
How to read a Aprilia RS VIN — every digit explained
Every Aprilia RS carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Aprilia and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this RS.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your RS VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Aprilia RS have?
The Aprilia RS has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2021–2024. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2021 Aprilia RS recalls 1
Engine
What's wrong. Aprilia is recalling certain 2021 RS 660 and Tuono 660 motorcycles. The engine crankshaft connecting rod may break due to improper heat-treatment.
Risk. A broken connecting rod can cause a sudden engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 9, 2021. Owners may contact Aprilia customer service at 1-212-380-4400. Aprilia's number for this recall is PA2ZZQ2107.
Best and worst years for the Aprilia RS
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 4 tracked years, the worst years are 2022, 2021, 2024 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2023, 2024, 2021.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 RS | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2022 RS | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2023 RS | — | Best | |
| 2024 RS | Engine | Avoid |
What are the most common Aprilia RS problems?
The most-reported Aprilia RS problems are Engine (4 reports), Power Train (1 reports) and Electrical System (1 reports) — out of 7 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Engine 4 Read
Motorcycle had a sudden engine knock causing catastrophic engine failure after going over a abutment. Issue found to be a broken connection rods. No warning lights, clear traffic, happened at 3:30 in the morning.
The contact owns a 2022 Aprilia RS 660. The contact stated while riding at approximately 65 MPH, the engine began to vibrate violently, causing the motorcycle to be difficult to control. The contact stated that the motorcycle stalled and coasted to a stop on the side of the road. The contact stated that the oil warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the motorcycle several times however, there was no battery power, and the engine would not restart. The contact had the motorcycle towed to his residence and later he transported the motorcycle to a dealer. The motorcycle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed and determined that there was no oil in the engine, causing the engine to seize. The motorcycle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V502000 (Engine). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,544.
Oil seal in the water pump was installed wrong from the manufacturer and caused the water pump to develop an oil leak with 156 miles on the odometer.
The contact owns a 2021 Aprilia RS 660. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle began to make an abnormal vibrating sound as the alarm pressure warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact initially had the vehicle towed to his house, and then the dealer informed him that there was a fractured connecting rod in the engine. The dealer contacted the manufacturer who agreed to repair the failure under warranty. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 1,400. The vehicle lost power and the oil ejected from a quarter-sized hole in the engine casing caused by the fractured connecting rod. The vehicle is inoperable.
Power Train 1 Read
So just got the bike and i was driving home. I noticed an issue going into second gear. Bike would actually go into neutral. Ended up getting the bike home after somehow getting it into second. When I noticed that the teeth on the input shaft by the quick shift sensor looks kinda ate up. Come to find out multiple people have had this issue.
Electrical System 1 Read
The contact owns a 2021 Aprilia RS660 motorcycle. The contact stated while riding at 80 mph on a closed track, the contact was approaching a left turn when attempting to brake but the electronic control unit of the braking system did not work which caused the motorcycle to cartwheel and crash landing on the contact from the right side. The contact fractured his collar bone and was taken by ambulance to the hospital for the injury. No police report was filed. The motorcycle was placed on the contacts trailer and was taken to their residence. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 1100. Invalid VIN.
Engine And Engine Cooling 1 Read
The contact owns a 2021 Aprilia Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 30 mph, the motorcycle abruptly stalled. The contact was able to restart the motorcycle and rode to the dealer. The contact had not received a diagnostic report. The contact stated that the motorcycle had been taken to the dealer for a recall repair on the same day that the failure occurred. The contact was not sure what recall repair was performed on the motorcycle. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 664.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Aprilia RS specifications & dimensions
The 2024 Aprilia RS. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Aprilia RS cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the RS holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Aprilia RS tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Aprilia RS get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Aprilia RS have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Aprilia RS cost to own?
A Aprilia RS depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this RS loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the RS ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Aprilia RS safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the RS yet.
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How many miles does a Aprilia RS last?
A well-maintained Aprilia RS typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Decode your Aprilia RS’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Aprilia RS model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Aprilia RS — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 RS | 0 | — | — |
| 2023 RS | 0 | — | — |
| 2022 RS | 0 | — | — |
| 2021 RS | 1 recall | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the RS?
By owner-complaint volume, 2022, 2021, 2024 drew the most reports. 2023, 2024, 2021 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the RS have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2021–2024. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a RS last?
A well-maintained RS typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the RS reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the RS is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Aprilia RS warranty?
New Aprilia models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Aprilia dealer.
Where is the Aprilia RS made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your RS's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Aprilia may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the RS have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.