RoadVitals

2009 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.
6
Latest Aug 29, 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.
2
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Kawasaki KL650E, most frequently naming the electrical and engine categories. 2 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

  • Electrical466.7%
  • Engine233.3%

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

2 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Aug 29, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI KL650E MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V062000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) HOWEVER, WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600.

NHTSA ID
10472954
Incident
Aug 29, 2012
Mileage
1,600 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI KL650E. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE METAL BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE GENERATOR WAS EXTREMELY SHARP AND WAS CUTTING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE PREVIOUS OWNER REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS DUE TO SIMILAR FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,350.

NHTSA ID
10430091
Incident
Oct 10, 2011
Mileage
6,350 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 21, 2011

2009 KLR 650 WITH ONLY 7K MILES, ENGINE CUT OFF SUDDENLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MECHANICS REPORTING THE ENTIRE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE CAUSING DAMAGE IN ALL PARTS OF ENGINE. *KB

NHTSA ID
10414021
Incident
Jul 17, 2011
Mileage
7,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 3, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI KL650E MOTORCYCLE. WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITH THE LOSS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V062000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT AND THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500.

NHTSA ID
10353770
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
8,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 4, 2009

THE WIRING HARNESS RUBBED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES ON THE MOTORCYCLE THAT LEAD TO A NEUTRAL LIGHT STAYING ON AND THE TURN SIGNAL TO NOT ACTIVATE. THE BIKE WIRING HARNESS HAD A PREVIOUS RECALL THAT WAS COMPLETED BY KAWASAKI ON MARCH OF 2009. KAWASAKI FACTORY REP. CAME IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE AND TOOK PHOTOS AND SAMPLES OF THE FAILED COMPONENTS TO SEND BACK TO THE ENGINEERS. THEY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND USED A NEW TYPE (UNKNOWN) OF PROTECTIVE COVERING ON IT. KAWASAKI WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN NOTICING A SHARP INCREASE OF THIS ISSUE. THERE IS A MOTORCYCLE AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME MILES/MODEL/YEAR THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND HAD KILLED THE ENGINE WHILE AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10294486
Incident
Nov 27, 2009
Mileage
6,400 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 24, 2009

NEW 09 KAWASAKI KLR650 BOUGHT FROM RIDERSVILLE CYCLE IN BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV. ON INITIAL RIDE OIL DRAIN PLUG CAME OUT, DRAINING OIL, LEADING TO ENGINE SEIZING WHILE TRAVELING AT 55MPH, BUT FOR THE QUICK REACTIONS OF THE RIDER, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE PURSUED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER ERROR FOR NOT CHECKING BOLT TIGHTNESS, AS 2 QUARTS OF OIL HAD TO BE ADDED TO BIKE UPON PICKUP, INDICATING THE BOLT WAS ALREADY LOOSE AND OIL HAD LEAKED OUT, AS THE BIKES ARE DELIVERED FULL ACCORDING TO KAWASAKI. OIL CAPACITY OF BIKE IS 2.6 QTS. OR MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN DESIGN OF BIKE, BY NOT BUILDING IT WITH A SKID PLATE THAT PROTECTS THE BOLT AND BOTTOM OF CRANKCASE FROM IMPACT. SOMETHING THEY READILY ADMIT BY SELLING AN ACCESSORY SKID PLATE THAT COVERS THE BOLT, BUT WITH NO MENTION OR WARNING THAT IT SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE BIKE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10289668
Incident
Oct 11, 2009
Mileage
180 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki KL650E by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012100—
2009Viewing620—
2008123039.6
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.