RoadVitals

2005 Kawasaki KL650A

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Oct 9, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Oct 16, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Kawasaki KL650A, most frequently naming the engine category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine2100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07V486000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

Oct 16, 2007
33,693 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE MUFFLER MOUNTING BOLTS COULD ALLOW THE BOLTS TO LOOSEN.
The risk: IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN COMPLETELY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE MUFFLER TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN TWO MUFFLER MOUNTING BOLTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2014

BALANCER CHAIN BEGAN MAKING NOISE ATTEMPTED FACTORY RECOMMENDED ADJUSTMENTS. CONCERN WAS UNRESOLVED. REMOVED STATOR COVER FOUND QUADRANT AND TENSIONER BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643472
Incident
Sep 27, 2014
Mileage
3,723 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2009

ON THE BASIS OF ANECDOTAL INFORMATION I REPLACED THE STOCK BALANCER CHAIN TENSIONER ON MY 2005 KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE. THESE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS IN THIS AREA, AND SURE ENOUGH THE SPRING THAT IS TO TENSION THE BALANCE CHAIN AS IT WEARS WAS BROKEN AND INOPERATIVE. THIS MEANT THAT IF I HAD NOT REPLACED THE TENSIONER ADJUSTER AND SPRING, THE CHAIN THAT RUNS THE BALANCER WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO WEAR AND STRETCH TO THE POINT OF POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IT IS NICE THAT AMERICANS ARE MAKING A LIVING MAKING THESE PARTS, BUT HOW MANY BIKES DO NOT GET THIS REPAIR. I MENTION THIS AT DEALERSHIPS AND THEY ACT LIKE I AM SPEAKING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10279419
Incident
Aug 4, 2009
Mileage
62,150 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki KL650A by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007110—
2006310—
2005Viewing210—
2004110—
2003010—
2002010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.