RoadVitals

2023 KTM 790 Adventure R

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.
6
+1 complaint in 30 days
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.
0
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure R, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and electrical categories.

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

  • Fuel system228.6%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%
  • Suspension114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Nov 6, 2026

While riding on a public road at moderate speed, I began experiencing unusual handling characteristics. The motorcycle felt very much like it had a soft or flat rear tire, with the bike swaying from side to side. I stopped to check the rear tire pressure, believing that might be the cause of the unusual handling. Instead, I discovered something far more alarming. The swingarm pivot axle had migrated approximately 1 inch out of one side of the motorcycle’s frame. Upon examining the opposite side, I could see completely through the frame opening to the swingarm. The swingarm itself had shifted so significantly that it was no longer aligned with the opening in the frame through which the pivot axle is designed to pass. In other words, the structural connection between the frame and swingarm had substantially separated while I was riding the motorcycle. The swingarm is an integral part of the motorcycle’s frame and rear suspension system. Its pivot connection is essential to maintaining the proper relationship between the frame and rear wheel assembly. I consider this an extremely serious safety failure. Fortunately, I was traveling on a straight road at moderate speed when the problem became apparent. Had this occurred while cornering, riding aggressively, or operating off-road, the consequences could have been catastrophic. A loss of rear suspension integrity and alignment under those circumstances could easily have resulted in a serious accident or fatal injury. I am particularly concerned that this may represent a broader product safety issue rather than an isolated mechanical failure.

NHTSA ID
11776304
Incident
Nov 3, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Apr 14, 2026

Under moderate ambient air temperatures of 75-80F the gas tank gets pressurized and if opened when more than a gallon remains this pressure causes fuel to spray out of the gas tank.

NHTSA ID
11731233
Incident
Feb 28, 2026
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 30, 2024

The motorcycle is just over 1 year old. Has less than 1300 miles on it. The bike does not start, the manufacture is not helping the dealership work on the problem. The motorcycle has been with the dealership for more than 3 months at this point. As an adventure motorcycle, a no start problem or if the bike shuts down while riding this could be a dangerous potentially deadly situation. There is also a known issue with the cam shafts failing at low mileage also. There is an active forum and Facebook pages with thousands of members world wide that are experiencing major defects on this model with no response from the manufacture. It is one of the most expensive motorcycles in this style and it is also one of the most unreliable. Please reach out if you have any further questions or need more details to push forward. I would like the manufacture to be held accountable for their shortcomings and potentially life threatening decisions made at the expense of their customers.

NHTSA ID
11622695
Incident
Apr 1, 2024
Brakes
Filed Aug 27, 2024

Brake light is not activated by front brake unless extreme pressure is applied to lever.

NHTSA ID
11611133
Incident
Aug 19, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 3, 2024

The bolt that holds the swingarm to the motorcycle fell off. The shaft vibrated out partially and half of the swingarm came loose which cause the rear wheel to be misaligned so the bike went down the road 'sideways'. On the forums and facebook groups, this is a common issue among owners of this model of motorcycle and it's predecessor (KTM790). Apparently, the manufacturer does NOT torque the bolts properly and apply loctite. In 40+ years of riding dozens of motorcycle, I've never had this critically important bolt fall off. This is regularly happening to owners of this model of KTM motorcycle

NHTSA ID
11580842
Incident
Mar 29, 2024
Filed May 30, 2023

Cold start issues, seemed to start on one cylinder then died 3 times, started up on the 4th try just fine

NHTSA ID
11524417
Incident
May 30, 2023

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

KTM 790 Adventure R by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023Viewing600—
2022800—
2021220034.4
2020620—
2019820—

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.