RoadVitals

2008 Kawasaki KLR650

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.
116
Latest Jan 20, 2018
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 Jun 7, 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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 116 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, engine and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

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
07V244000

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

Jun 7, 2007
5 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE SPRING RETAINING PIN ON THE FRAME MAY NOT HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY WELDED IN PLACE AND COULD FALL OUT, ALLOWING THE SIDESTAND TO DROP INTO THE "PARKING" POSITION.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: KAWASAKI WILL REPURCHASE THESE MOTORCYCLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2007. ALL DEALERS/OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
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 116
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 20, 2018

TURNED IN COMPLAINT ON A FEW DAYS AGO. RECEIVED THIS TRACKING NUMBER 11063172. WHAT'S MY NEXT STEP? THE COMPLAINT WAS TURN SIGNALS FALLING OFF.

NHTSA ID
11063854
Incident
Jan 2, 2018
Mileage
21,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 16, 2018

TURN SIGNALS FELL OFF. HANGING ON BY ELECTRIC WIRING

NHTSA ID
11063172
Incident
Jan 14, 2018
Mileage
21,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 7, 2018

EXTERIOR TURN SIGNALS DRYROT,THEREFORE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FALLING OFF AND HANGING ON BY WIRE. ONE IN FRONT AND ONE IN BACK. THE ONE IN BACK FELL ON TO MUFFLER MELTING PLASTIC.

NHTSA ID
11061059
Incident
Dec 30, 2017
Mileage
21,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 7, 2012

TURN SIGNALS HAVE A RUBBER MOUNT THAT FALLS OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10474274
Incident
Sep 7, 2012
Mileage
4,200 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 18, 2012

THE ENGINE BURNS OIL EXCESSIVELY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 TO 70 MPH). AN ENGINE LOCKUP DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICANT IS A VERY REAL CONCERN DUE TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION RATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10462108
Incident
Jun 16, 2011
Mileage
6,022 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 15, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS RUBBER DETERIORATED AND FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,900.

NHTSA ID
10461869
Incident
Jun 9, 2012
Mileage
4,900 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2011

THE STARTER IDLER GEAR SHAFT HOLE/SLEEVE IS BORE/MILLED TO DEEP ON THE OUTSIDE CASING. THE SHAFT MOVES TO THE CASING SIDE AND LOSES CONTACT WITH THE INSIDE BUSHING/SLEEVE, WICH FORMS A GAP AT THE MAIN HOUSING SIDE. THERE IS NOW ENOUGH SPACE FOR THE SPACER WASHER TO FALL INTO THE BOTTOM-END AND CAUSE HUGE/CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10434053
Incident
Apr 15, 2011
Mileage
17,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KLR650. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 5400.

NHTSA ID
10349235
Incident
Jul 12, 2010
Mileage
5,400 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

MC24-01

STRUCTURE

Service Information about a shipping bracket attaching the motorcycle to the crate can cause damage to the motorcycle fuel tank if removed.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki KLR650 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024100—
2023160038.4
2022100—
2018000—
2017100—
2009600—
2008Viewing1161037.3
2007300—
2006100—
2005100—
2003600—
2002110029.0
2001190032.7
2000800—
1999700—
1998600—
1997100—
1995100—
1993200—

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.