Kawasaki KLR650 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
204 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
3,460 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 to 2024 model years. Data snapshot: . 164 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 81 of 204 complaints (39.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 14 | 6.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 6.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 2.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 81 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 27 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 20 |
| Steering | 15 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Structure | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 |
Exterior Lighting: 81; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 27; Engine And Engine Cooling: 20; Steering: 15; Engine: 11; Electrical System: 8; Structure: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 157 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 157; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (157). 40 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 25 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 95 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 5; 2003: 25; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2006: 8; 2007: 7; 2008: 95; 2009: 6; 2010: 8; 2011: 2; 2012: 5; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 12; 2024: 4; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 11535256 · 2023-07-29 (July 29, 2023)
Motorcycle with ML serial numbers have been overtorqued steering bearing nuts from factory, multiple problems showing up. Steering on mine locked up in a turn, but was able to force it to straighten out. Kawasaki is aware they overtorqued (via multiple sources) but has not released a tech bulletin, or service recall on a dangerous situation. Slow speeds steering will have a tight bind at the 12" position, and will have a hard time turning left or right out of the tight spot. Occasionally, turning back into the 12 position will cause a bind/catc…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11535256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11536799 · 2023-08-06 (August 6, 2023)
The vehicle has a dangerous steering issue. While in a slower speed turn, the vehicle's steering becomes restricted, and then unexpectedly free's up, which almost causes a crash. Some are referring to this a the "steering notch issue". There are multiple references to this issue in online forums. The Kawasaki dealer says that they have not been informed of any steering issues. This bike will kill me unless this issue is resolved. I will be taking it back to the dealer for service.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11536799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235076 · 2008-07-20 (July 20, 2008)
CERTAIN RUBBER COMPONENTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE HAVE DRIED OUT AND ARE CRUMBLING. THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES A) TURN SIGNAL STALKS HAVE FALLEN OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE OTHER TRAFFIC NOT SEEING YOUR TURN SIGNAL B) WINDSHIELD RETAINING WELL NUTS HAVE CRUMBLED AND THE WINDSHIELD COULD COME LOOSE OR OFF AT HWY SPEEDS CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT C) RUBBER BOOT ON THE POSITIVE TERMINAL OF THE STARTER HAS DRYROTTED AND IS CRUMBLING. THIS COULD CAUSE A POSSIBLE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235148 · 2008-07-21 (July 21, 2008)
2008 KAWASAKI KLR650 MOTORCYCLE. -SUBJECT: TURN SIGNAL DEGRADATION AND ULTIMATE FAILURE OF MANUFACTURED MATERIAL. -THE RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL ON MY MOTORCYCLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING OR DUE CAUSE. I ARRIVED AT MY OFFICE TO FIND THE REAR INDICATOR HANGING BY THE WIRES WITH NO STRUCTURAL SUPPORT LEFT BY THE MATERIAL USED TO MANUFACTURE IT. IT APPEARS THE MATERIAL WAS WEAK AND ROTTED FROM EXPOSURE TO VIBRATION AND UV LIGHT. THE SIGNAL REMAINED OPERATIONAL, BUT COULD NOT BE LEFT ATTACHED BY ONLY THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. -DEALER REPLACED THE INDICA…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10487513 · 2012-12-05 (December 5, 2012)
I JUST WISHED TO REPORT SOMETHING I FOUND OUT BY CHANCE, UPON INSPECTING THE INSIDE OF MY ENGINE, AND WHICH COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSE MY ENGINE TO STOP FUNCTIONING/SEIZE AT SPEED, WHICH IN TURN WOULD HAVE LED ME TO CRASH. THE IDLER SHAFT LEVER & SPRING IN MY ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. UPON FINDING THE BROKEN PART I WENT "FISHING" FOR THE MISSING PIECES ON THE BOTTOM OF MY ENGINE USING A MAGNET, AND FOUND ANOTHER BROKEN SPRING! MY TAKE IS THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD REPLACED THE BROKEN SPRING ONCE ALREADY.. WHICH IS WHY I BELIEVE THERE IS DEFECT I…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002623 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE GOING 50 MPH DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD. REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE TO A STOP. JUST GOT OFF THE FREEWAY DOING 75 MPH
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127560 · 2005-07-05 (July 5, 2005)
1)POOR PERFORAMANCE SEEMED LIKE CARBURATER PROBLEM. 2)SUDDEN LOUD KNOCK AND ENGINE STALLED AT 40MPH. UPON INTERNAL INSPECTION, BALANCER SHAFT ADJUSTER FAILED (BROKE INTO 4 PIECES) CIRCULATED PIECES THROUGHOUT CRANKCASE AND SNAPPED BALANCER CHAIN. MAY BE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS. AFTER RESEARCH, LEARNED THAT FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC AND RESULTED IN ENGINE SIEZING AT HIGH SPEED. 3)REPLACING BALANCER SHAFT ADJUSTER WITH SUPERIOR AFTERMARKET PART, REPLACING BALANCER CHAIN, STILL INSPECTING ENGINE FOR ADDITIONAL D…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,218 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038446 · 2003-10-12 (October 12, 2003)
THE MOTORCYCLE CAM CHAIN ADJUSTER SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. SAUSAGE, KLR 650, 2003. *AK WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING SOUND FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE BROKEN SPRING BENT THE INTAKE VALVE AND DAMAGED VALVE GUIDES (SAUSAGE 630 2003). *TS *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 10,265 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 868432 · 2000-08-23 (August 23, 2000)
THERE WAS A CRACK DEVELOPING IN THE CALIPER SPACER WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOSS IN BRAKING ABILITY. AFTERMARKET BRAKES. BRAKING BRAKE SYSTEMS IS THE NAME.*AK THE BRAKE PROBLEM STILL NOT SOLVED BECAUSE THE COMPANY NO LONGER MANUFACTURES THE BRAKES FOR THE MOTORCYCLE PLUS HAS NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 868432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11560601 · 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)
When the front brake is applied, especially in a hard braking situation the entire Steering mechanism turns to the right. This unavailable steering turn to the right that cannot be overcome by the rider can result in a loss of control. I’ve been riding for over 50 years having owned most motorcycle brands and I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. As a former motorcycle mechanic this problem cannot be corrected because all front steering components are fixe bolted connections with no adjustments.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236574 · 2008-07-31 (July 31, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KLR650. HE WAS DRIVING 55MPH ON HIS MOTORCYCLE AND IT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRES WERE RUBBING UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK. WHEN THE WIRES RUBBED TOGETHER THEY BLEW A FUSE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT REPAIRING THE MOTORCYCLE FOR TWO WEEKS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,600.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240891 · 2008-09-04 (September 4, 2008)
SHORTED WIRING HARNESS UNDER GAS TANK RESULTING IN FAILURE OF 20 AMP MAIN FUSE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240891 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
2008: 1; 2009: 0; 2017: 0; 2022: 0; 2023: 0; 2024: 0