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2022 KTM 790 Adventure R Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
8
Latest May 20, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2022 KTM 790 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

  • Engine538.5%
  • Electrical215.4%
  • Fuel system215.4%
  • Powertrain (other)215.4%
  • Driver assistance17.7%
  • Exterior lighting17.7%

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Cams showing early signs of failure at 12,000 mile inspection.

NHTSA ID 11588861 · filed May 15, 2024

Multiple Issues to report: 1 - Transmission stuck in gear WHILE RIDING! -The transmission or shifting mechanism became unresponsive during riding. The transmission allowed for a downshift from 3rd gear into 2nd, then remained in 2nd gear as the transmission became unresponsive to upshifts/downshifts. -This could have resulted in an accident but it did not. I was able to safely stop the motorcycle. -This issue has occurred twice (1st occurrence was in April 2023, which I did not report. This 2nd occurrence was in March 2024) -The motorcycle is currently being diagnosed by an authorized KTM dealer -No, the vehicle was not further inspected yet (but it is currently at a KTM dealer) -No warning lights or other alerts were present. No visual issues or leaks, etc. *I meticulously maintain my motorcycles. 2 - Metal shavings in the oil (@4,708 miles on 4/6/2024) I have performed my oil change (using OE recommended fluids and following recommended intervals) and noticed small/medium size pieces of metal on the magnets of the oil screens. Metal shavings were also noted in the oil itself. I saved the oil, metal particles, and oil filter. All oil change and engine maintenance has been performed in alignment with manufacturers recommendations since new. The engine has also become "noisy" on cold starts. Mostly a louder valvetrain noise. -Some sort of engine component is failing, this is extremely concerning from a risk perspective. The engine still operates, but KTM has recommended that I discontinue riding the motorcycle until it is inspected by a KTM technician. -This issue could pose extreme risk if an engine failure were to occur while operating, including serious injury or death. -This issue has not yet been confirmed by the dealer (but see photos attached) -No, the vehicle was not further inspected yet (but it is currently at a KTM dealer) -No warning lights or other alerts were present. No visual issues or leaks, etc.

NHTSA ID 11582403 · filed Apr 11, 2024

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Information screen filled with condensation not sealed correctly causing inability to see speed, warnings, brake and and and controls

NHTSA ID 11738953 · filed May 20, 2026

Center display screen, aka TFT, randomly turns off while motorcycle is operating. The center screen displays the speedometer, fuel level and other information and an unsafe driving condition is created by the center screen randomly turning off. Center display screen is also affected by moisture ingress which allows condensation to form on the inside of the lens cover which obscures information displayed on the screen.

NHTSA ID 11568334 · filed Jan 28, 2024

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Random stalling, lack of power, and failure to restart. Engine died in the middle of an intersection crossing a 2 lane highway leaving me to push it off the highway or get hit by oncoming traffic. The engine also stalled multiple times on the road at highway speed 35-55mph causing me to seek immediate safety on the shoulder or grass. Bike was taken to the dealer for assessment and the current plan is to replace the fuel injectors. The motorcycle has not been repaired and tested yet to verify the problem is corrected.

NHTSA ID 11542130 · filed Sep 1, 2023

When I attempt to start the motorcycle after it has not been ridden for several hours, i.e., a "cold start," it will run very rough and barely maintain idle. The engine also makes a lot of noise during the first 30 seconds to one minute after being started, almost as if it is running on one cylinder instead of two. If I attempt to ride the motorcycle before waiting for it to warm up, approximately one or two minutes, it will lurch and has occasionally stalled. The fueling of the engine upon initial start up is very poor. It runs just fine once the engine has warmed up.

NHTSA ID 11466259 · filed May 26, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Multiple Issues to report: 1 - Transmission stuck in gear WHILE RIDING! -The transmission or shifting mechanism became unresponsive during riding. The transmission allowed for a downshift from 3rd gear into 2nd, then remained in 2nd gear as the transmission became unresponsive to upshifts/downshifts. -This could have resulted in an accident but it did not. I was able to safely stop the motorcycle. -This issue has occurred twice (1st occurrence was in April 2023, which I did not report. This 2nd occurrence was in March 2024) -The motorcycle is currently being diagnosed by an authorized KTM dealer -No, the vehicle was not further inspected yet (but it is currently at a KTM dealer) -No warning lights or other alerts were present. No visual issues or leaks, etc. *I meticulously maintain my motorcycles. 2 - Metal shavings in the oil (@4,708 miles on 4/6/2024) I have performed my oil change (using OE recommended fluids and following recommended intervals) and noticed small/medium size pieces of metal on the magnets of the oil screens. Metal shavings were also noted in the oil itself. I saved the oil, metal particles, and oil filter. All oil change and engine maintenance has been performed in alignment with manufacturers recommendations since new. The engine has also become "noisy" on cold starts. Mostly a louder valvetrain noise. -Some sort of engine component is failing, this is extremely concerning from a risk perspective. The engine still operates, but KTM has recommended that I discontinue riding the motorcycle until it is inspected by a KTM technician. -This issue could pose extreme risk if an engine failure were to occur while operating, including serious injury or death. -This issue has not yet been confirmed by the dealer (but see photos attached) -No, the vehicle was not further inspected yet (but it is currently at a KTM dealer) -No warning lights or other alerts were present. No visual issues or leaks, etc.

NHTSA ID 11582403 · filed Apr 11, 2024

Random stalling, lack of power, and failure to restart. Engine died in the middle of an intersection crossing a 2 lane highway leaving me to push it off the highway or get hit by oncoming traffic. The engine also stalled multiple times on the road at highway speed 35-55mph causing me to seek immediate safety on the shoulder or grass. Bike was taken to the dealer for assessment and the current plan is to replace the fuel injectors. The motorcycle has not been repaired and tested yet to verify the problem is corrected.

NHTSA ID 11542130 · filed Sep 1, 2023

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Center display screen, aka TFT, randomly turns off while motorcycle is operating. The center screen displays the speedometer, fuel level and other information and an unsafe driving condition is created by the center screen randomly turning off. Center display screen is also affected by moisture ingress which allows condensation to form on the inside of the lens cover which obscures information displayed on the screen.

NHTSA ID 11568334 · filed Jan 28, 2024

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The brake light does not illuminate when the front brake is actuated. The light illuminates when actuating the rear brake, but only with significant pressure on the pedal. I do not know what specific component is causing the issue, but have seen online that it may be related to faulty brake pressure sensor switches. I am willing to provide any parts that are determined to be faulty when they are replaced. Not having fully functional brake lights puts myself and others at risk because other vehicles may not realize when I am braking, which could lead to a collision. The problem was present during my last service of the motorcycle at the local dealer. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. There were no warning lamps or symptoms other than the light not illuminating. I first noticed the problem about 7 months ago, but am unsure how long it was malfunctioning before I noticed it.

NHTSA ID 11610884 · filed Aug 26, 2024

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

Data on this page last refreshed .