RoadVitals

2008 Kawasaki KL650E

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.
12
Latest Jul 12, 2012
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.
3
Latest Feb 20, 2009
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 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, body & structure and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have 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

  • Exterior lighting750.0%
  • Body & structure214.3%
  • Engine214.3%
  • Electrical17.1%
  • Transmission17.1%
  • Visibility17.1%

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

3 campaigns 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
09V062000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Feb 20, 2009
16,167 units potentially affected
The defect: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 16,167 MY 2008-2009 KLR 650 (KL650E8F/L, KL650E9F/L) MOTORCYCLES. WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS MIGHT BE DAMAGED DUE TO RUBBING CONTACT WITH A PORTION OF THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ENGINE CREATING A RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.View on NHTSA.gov
09V059000

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

Feb 19, 2009
16,167 units potentially affected
The defect: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 16,167 MY 2008-2009 KLR 650 (KL650E8F/L, KL650E9F/L) MOTORCYCLES. THE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY IS SECURED TO THE FRAME OF THE MOTORCYCLE BY TWO BOLTS. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HEAT EXPANSION CYCLES OF THE MUFFLER, COMBINED WITH VIBRATION FROM VEHICLE OPERATION MAY CAUSE LOOSENING OF THE MUFFLER MOUNTING BOLTS.
The risk: IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN COMPLETELY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE MUFFLER TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE, CREATING A RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PAINT FROM THE MUFFLER MOUNT TABS AND REPLACE THE MOUNT BOLTS, NUT, AND WASHER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.View 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

View all 12
Electrical
Filed Jul 12, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V062000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) AND STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED EVERYTHING THE RECALL LISTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,700.

NHTSA ID
10465463
Incident
Jul 10, 2012
Mileage
11,700 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 6, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V059000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) AND CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF REMOVING THE PAINT FROM THE MUFFLER MOUNT TABS AND REPLACING THE MOUNT BOLTS, NUT, AND WASHER. AS A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN HIMSELF, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE PAINT WOULD INEVITABLY LEAD TO RUST FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,584.

NHTSA ID
10260966
Incident
Feb 9, 2009
Mileage
4,584 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 7, 2008

I AM OWNER OF GREEN 2008 KLR. I BOUGHT IT IN JUNE OF 2008. IT IS COVERED UNDER KAWASAKI 1 YR MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. IT HAS CHRONIC RUBBER ROT ON THE WINDSHIELD SCREWS, AFTER ONLY 2 MONTHS OF USAGE, AND KAWASAKI AND THE KAWASAKI DEALER HAVE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RUBBER UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10244622
Incident
Jul 28, 2008
Mileage
3,200 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 4, 2008

MOTORCYCLE TURN SIGNALS (REAR) BREAK AND FALL TO HANG BY THE WIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10240996
Incident
May 27, 2008
Mileage
500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 1, 2008

NOT A INCIDENT YET. THE ISSUE IS THAT MULTIPLE RUBBER PARTS ON MY MOTORCYCLE ARE FAILING FROM "DRY ROT" WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASE. THESE PARTS SECURE THE WINDSCREEN AND BODY PANELS IN PLACE AND PROTECT THE CLUTCH CABLE FROM DEBRIS. WHILE THE WIND SCREEN COMING LOOSE AT SPEED IS A SCARY THOUGHT THE CLUTCH CABLE COVER IS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN AS IT'S FAILING COULD ALLOW SAND ETC INTO THE CLUTCH CABLE AND PREVENT THE OPERATOR FROM ACTUATING THE CLUTCH MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSTOPPABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10240556
Incident
Jun 1, 2008
Mileage
2 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 31, 2008

1. THREE (3) TURN SIGNAL MOUNTS HAVE FAILED TO DATE, DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. 2. FAILURES OCCURRED AT 1,800 MILES, 4,000 MILES, AND 7,300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. MOUNTS FAIL IN NORMAL HIGHWAY OPERATION, LEADING TO TURN SIGNAL BULB/LENS/HALF-STALK DANGLING FROM THE WIRING. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED DUE TO THE FAILURES. 3. FIRST ONE REPLACE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE, SECOND REPLACED AT DEALERS EXPENSE, THIRD BEING DEBATED BY DEALER. THIRD UNIT STILL IN OWNER'S POSSESSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10240480
Incident
Aug 30, 2008
Mileage
7,300 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 22, 2008

TURN SIGNALS FALLING OFF NEWLY PURCHASED KAWASAKI KLR-650 MOTORCYCLE. RUBBER MOUNT IS THIN AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BREAK AT THE WEB SITE KLR WORLD .COM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235336
Incident
Jul 20, 2008
Mileage
3,985 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 21, 2008

MY LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL FELL OFF THIS TIME. (MY SECOND COMPLAINT). I WAS ACTUALLY RETURNING FROM THE KAWASAKI DEALERSHIP HAVING MY RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL REPAIRED WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL JUST FELL OFF AND STARTED FLOPPING IN THE WIND. I HAD TO TRAVEL 40+ MILES WITH NO TURN SIGNALS AFTER JUST LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. KLR OWNERS NOW RESORT TO PURCHASING AFTERMARKET TURN SIGNALS TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT KAWASAKI HAS IGNORED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235129
Incident
Jan 15, 2008
Mileage
1,200 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki KL650E by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012100—
2009620—
2008Viewing123039.6
2006100—

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.