RoadVitals

2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure

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.
1
Latest Apr 12, 2017
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 7, 2019
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure, most frequently naming the steering category. 3 safety recalls have 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

  • Steering1100.0%

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

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
19V087000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Feb 7, 2019
1,588 units potentially affected
The defect: KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 1290 Super Adventure motorcycles. Fuel may leak from the fuel tank cover mounting insert area.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: KTM has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank cover mounting insert, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact KTM customer service 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is TB1904.
KTM North America, Inc.Manufacturer number TB1904View on NHTSA.gov
16V854000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Nov 28, 2016
7,801 units potentially affected
The defect: KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 1290 Super Adventure motorcycles manufactured December 1, 2014, to March 10, 2016, and 2013-2016 1190 Adventure and Adventure R motorcycles manufactured November 20, 2012, to April 25, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wiring harness can fray and contact the ABS modulator. If the brake line is electrically conductive, the brake line may overheat and melt.
The risk: If the brake line melts, brake failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: KTM will notify owners, and dealers will re-position the wiring harness for the electronic control unit, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090.
KTM North America, Inc.Manufacturer number TB1706View on NHTSA.gov
16V279000

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

May 10, 2016
1,238 units potentially affected
The defect: KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 1290 Super Adventure motorcycles manufactured December 1, 2014, to December 11, 2015. These motorcycles have a rear shock absorber that may leak oil from the rebound damping plug, resulting in a loss of shock function.
The risk: Loss of function of the rear shock may affect the handling of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: KTM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rebound damping plug for leaking and replace the shock absorber, as necessary, and install a new version of the suspension control unit software, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2016. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is TB1611.
KTM North America, Inc.Manufacturer number TB1611View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Apr 12, 2017

WHEN RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ONCE ~40 MPH IS REACHED THERE IS A VIBRATION / WOBBLE IN THE FRONTEND THAT CAN BE FELT AND ULTIMATELY IF THE GRIP IS LOOSENED OR HANDS REMOVED THE MOTORCYCLE SHAKES AND WOBBLES. THE WOBBLE IS LESS NOTICABLE AS SPEEDS INCREASE THROUGH 60 MPH. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED ACCESSORY LUGGAGE IS ATTACHED (EMPTY) THE WOBBLE IS WORSENED AND WHEN THE LUGGAGE IS LOADED THE WOBBLE / SHAKE INCREASES MORE. IT FEELS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND UNSTABLE.

NHTSA ID
10972146
Incident
Apr 12, 2017
Mileage
1,300 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

KTB2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Updated software is available for the mentioned models. The new software versions contain various improvements for vehicle electronic systems. The update applies to the following models: 2016 1190 ADVENTURE, 1190 ADVENTURE R 2016, 2017 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE (T) 2017, 2018 1090 ADVENTURE R 2017, 2018, 2019 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R / S

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

KTM 1290 Super Adventure by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016Viewing130—
2015230—

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.