RoadVitals

2006 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.
3
Latest Aug 1, 2009
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Kawasaki KL650A, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and suspension categories. 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

  • Engine133.3%
  • Powertrain (other)133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%

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 Aug 1, 2009

2006 KAWASAKI KLR 650 BALANCER TENSIONER SPRING FAILURE. SYMPTOMS LOUD ENGINE NOISE AND POOR ENGINE OPERATION. THE FAILURE WAS CAUGHT IN TIME BEFORE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE COULD TAKE PLACE. I PURCHASED A BALANCER LEVER UPGRADE KIT FROM EAGLE MANUFACTURING OF CALIFORNIA. THE COST OF THIS KIT WAS APPROXIMATELY $140.00. I ALSO PURCHASED A MOTORCYCLE JACK TO ACCOMPLISH THE REPAIR. MY LABOR WAS APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS, THIS INCLUDED REMOVING THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE COVER FROM THE FLYWHEEL AND STATOR. THEN REMOVING THE INNER FLYWHEEL SIDE COVER TO RETRIEVE THE BROKEN IDLER ADJUSTER SPRING. THE MAIN BODY OF THE SPRING WAS RETRIEVED. THE BROKEN PIECE CIRCULATED THROUGH THE ENGINE, BRAKING OFF SOME OF THE PLASTIC CHAIN TENSIONERS. I RECOVERED A FEW PLASTIC PIECES AND THE MAIN SPRING BODY. THE LEFT SIDE SPRING END WAS BROKEN OFF AND IS SOMEWHERE INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PARTS AND GASKETS TOOK APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS AND COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10279022
Incident
Jul 31, 2009
Mileage
3,318 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 27, 2008

PRELOAD ADJUSTER BROKE ON 2006 KLR 650 SECOND TIME I ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST IT WITH LESS THAT 10K MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246814
Incident
Oct 26, 2008
Mileage
9,540 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 15, 2008

2006 KLR 650 KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLE BROKEN BALANCER CHAIN LEVER EVEN THOUGH ADJUSTED REGULARLY BY KAWASAKI DEALER. METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE ENGINE CAUSING POTENTIAL DAMAGE. INCURRED SIGNIFICANT REPAIR COSTS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND REPAIR WITH AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENT AS THE KAWASAKI PART IS DEFECTIVE. THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SEIZED ENGINE AND EVEN DEATH AND/OR INJURY. WOULD LIKE KAWASAKI TO INDEMNIFY ME FOR MY LOSSES AND ALSO ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL BIKES WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10224617
Incident
Apr 15, 2008
Mileage
19,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki KL650A by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007110—
2006Viewing310—
2005210—
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.