2002 Kawasaki KLR650 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
3,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 11 complaints (45.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train: 1; Suspension: 1; Tires: 1; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10047386 · 2003-11-22 (November 22, 2003)
SUBJECT: 2002 KAWASAKI KLR650. NOVEMBER 2003, 16,500+ MILES: DAVIS SERVICE CENTER, MONTROSE, COLORADO, WAS ASKED TO REPLACE THE STOCK COUNTERBALANCER CHAIN TENSIONER LEVER WITH A STAINLESS STEEL UPGRADE FROM EAGLE MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING. THIS WAS TO BE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SINCE I'VE HEARD FROM THAT THIS IS A WEAK POINT. UPON INTERNAL INSPECTION, THE STOCK COUNTER BALANCED CHAIN TENSIONER LEVER WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN. A BROKEN PIECE HAD GOTTEN INTO THE TRANSMISSION MAIN SHAFT BEARING AND DESTROYED THE RACE/BEARING-HOLDER. THE BEARINGS WE…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047386 at NHTSA ↗