2022 KTM 790 Adventure R Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
Cams showing early signs of failure at 12,000 mile inspection.
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.
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
Information screen filled with condensation not sealed correctly causing inability to see speed, warnings, brake and and and controls
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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 .