2025 KTM 390 Adventure R Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine631.6%
- Electrical421.1%
- Fuel system421.1%
- Body & structure210.5%
- Exterior lighting210.5%
- Driver assistance15.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle frequently stalls or engine stops suddenly. Engine will "knock" and suddenly stall when engaging the clutch while providing throttle to begin riding. It will stall when engaging the clutch to downshift into lower gears while coming to a stop. This has happened at busy roadways at red lights, stop signs, and even when slowing down to navigate a turn. Engine may stall while in neutral and throttle is applied. Typically a short rattle or what sounds like valves knocking, is followed by a backfire, prior to stalling. There is no way to prevent stalling/engine stopping unless RPM's are kept over 3,000. I have fallen over or crashed offroad several times, when navigating obstacles or negotiating tight turns or turn-arounds in the trails, dirt roads or forest. Bike stalled when attempting to navigate over a small log, resulting in bike crashing and pinning me underneath. Dealer performed update to most current fuel/mapping software but this did not make a difference.
The bike stalls frequently when coming to a stop. It is very dangerous because I have to restart the bike every time. I think it's a fueling problem
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
in certain comditions when using the turn signal a yellow "turn light will pop up on the screen and the blinker fail to function properly. if that pops up all blinkers stop working
Vehicle frequently stalls or engine stops suddenly. Engine will "knock" and suddenly stall when engaging the clutch while providing throttle to begin riding. It will stall when engaging the clutch to downshift into lower gears while coming to a stop. This has happened at busy roadways at red lights, stop signs, and even when slowing down to navigate a turn. Engine may stall while in neutral and throttle is applied. Typically a short rattle or what sounds like valves knocking, is followed by a backfire, prior to stalling. There is no way to prevent stalling/engine stopping unless RPM's are kept over 3,000. I have fallen over or crashed offroad several times, when navigating obstacles or negotiating tight turns or turn-arounds in the trails, dirt roads or forest. Bike stalled when attempting to navigate over a small log, resulting in bike crashing and pinning me underneath. Dealer performed update to most current fuel/mapping software but this did not make a difference.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle frequently stalls or engine stops suddenly. Engine will "knock" and suddenly stall when engaging the clutch while providing throttle to begin riding. It will stall when engaging the clutch to downshift into lower gears while coming to a stop. This has happened at busy roadways at red lights, stop signs, and even when slowing down to navigate a turn. Engine may stall while in neutral and throttle is applied. Typically a short rattle or what sounds like valves knocking, is followed by a backfire, prior to stalling. There is no way to prevent stalling/engine stopping unless RPM's are kept over 3,000. I have fallen over or crashed offroad several times, when navigating obstacles or negotiating tight turns or turn-arounds in the trails, dirt roads or forest. Bike stalled when attempting to navigate over a small log, resulting in bike crashing and pinning me underneath. Dealer performed update to most current fuel/mapping software but this did not make a difference.
The bike stalls frequently when coming to a stop. It is very dangerous because I have to restart the bike every time. I think it's a fueling problem
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R. The contact stated that while riding at approximately 30 MPH, the kickstand extended into the parking stance. The contact stated that the motorcycle shut off as a default and lost power after the kickstand unfolded. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure due to the long call waiting. The failure mileage was approximately 150.
The bike has 400 miles on it. While riding the motorcycle on the highway (route 24 in MA) going 60 MPH, the spring of the side stand disconnected and the side stand extended and dragged on the road. Since the bike was in gear, the engine immediately stopped. I was lucky there was no car to my right and I was able to safely stop at the side of the road and use a zip tie to hold it up. I took the bike to the dealer and he said there are no recalls on the bike. Looking on-line I see similar complains and a recall and full change to the side stand in other countries but not here. The bike is a death trap, if the side stand drops on a left turn, there is a 100% chance of crashing it.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R. The contact stated that while riding the motorcycle on several occasions at various speeds in weather under 60 degrees, the left or right turn signals were activated but failed to operate as intended. Additionally, each time the turn signals were activated in cold weather, the message "Turn Signal Failure" was displayed. The motorcycle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the turn signals were inoperable and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50.
in certain comditions when using the turn signal a yellow "turn light will pop up on the screen and the blinker fail to function properly. if that pops up all blinkers stop working
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The bike is prone to stalling as you come to a stop and are pulling in the clutch. It can happen without warning. There is also an issue with the side stand. It stacks out pretty far and if your boot touches it can kill power delivery leading to a sudden loss of power.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .