RoadVitals

2020 KTM 790 Adventure R Rally

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.
2
Latest Feb 25, 2024
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 Apr 30, 2021
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R Rally, most frequently naming the electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 6 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Engine150.0%

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

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
21V304000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Apr 30, 2021
3,707 units potentially affected
The defect: KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R, and 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R Rally motorcycles. The front brake master cylinder piston return spring may be too weak to return the brake piston to its original position, reducing the functionality of the front brake.
The risk: A front brake with reduced functionality may increase the distance required to stop as well as the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the return spring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is KTM2106.
KTM North America, Inc.Manufacturer number KTM2106View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2024

The engine has pre-mature wear on the intake cam lobes and cam followers resulting in a failing engine. Engine mileage 11,910.

NHTSA ID
11573906
Incident
Feb 24, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jan 25, 2022

The TFT screen with display to monitor speed, gas and all driver assist settings has become so saturated with condensation it is unreadable making it impossible to tell what speed I am going or what settings I have the driver assist controls set to.

NHTSA ID
11448924
Incident
Dec 2, 2021

Manufacturer communications

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

KTB2415

ENGINE

KTM will also retroactively examine warranty or goodwill applications if customers of affected models have already had repairs carried out at their own expense by an authorized KTM dealer in the past due to damaged camshafts or finger followers. If the conditions explained in the communication with the authorized KTM dealer network are met, subsequent goodwill may be considered. Note: All relevant invoices and a credit signed by the customer must be attached to the application. The invoice date must be specified as the repair and fault date, and the affected camshaft must be specified as the component causing the fault.

KTB2410

ENGINE

Even though complaints have been reported about the camshafts on the 790 Duke/Adventure MY 2018- 2020 models, examinations of the allegedly defective camshafts have shown that a large proportion of these camshafts are in order. In these cases, it is not a question of wear, but usually only of discoloration or running marks that have formed on the running surface of the cams or on the bearing points of the shafts. To avoid further unnecessary repairs and to counteract any inquiries, the following procedure has been defined:

KTB2106

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

On affected motorcycles there is a possibility that the preload force of the return spring is too low and does not meet the specified tolerance. This could result in the brake piston not being returned to its original position which in rare cases can impair the function of the front brake. To ensure the highest level of safety, performance, reliability and customer satisfaction, it is necessary to replace the front brake master cylinder piston return spring on all affected motorcycles.

TB2012R2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

For the 2019 and 2020 790 ADVENTURE and 790 ADVENTURE R models, KTM has enabled the ability to purchase and install the Quickshifter+ technical accessory software extension again using only the XC_2 diagnostic tool. On certain 2020 790 ADVENTURE R RALLY models, it is possible that the Cruise Control and the Quickshifter+ features are not activated as delivered from production. Please do not purchase the Cruise Control and do not purchase the Quickshifter+ for this model as the software purchases are not refundable. It is necessary to activate these two features during PDI and before customer delivery. This can be done by using the XC_2 diagnostic tool in the Technical Accessories menu, select the software icon, click Update, click Activate.

TB202R1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

This bulletin supersedes KTB2012 dated April 15, 2020 because the 2020 890 DUKE R software installation errors have been resolved. KTM North America, Inc. has identified a technical problem using the XC_2 tool when attempting to purchase and install some of the Technical Accessories Software Extensions for the above-mentioned model motorcycles.

TB2012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

KTM North America, Inc. has identified a technical problem using the XC_2 tool when attempting to purchase and install some of the Technical Accessories Software Extensions for the above-mentioned model motorcycles.

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 790 Adventure R Rally by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020Viewing210—
2019000—

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.