RoadVitals

2021 KTM 890 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.
2
Latest Oct 27, 2021
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 Aug 5, 2022
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 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Engine250.0%
  • Electrical125.0%
  • Fuel system125.0%

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
22V588000

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

Aug 5, 2022
27,399 units potentially affected
The defect: KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Husqvarna and KTM motorcycles with equipped with TKC80 tires. Please refer to KTM's recall report for specific model details. Cracks longer than 3/16 inch may develop in the tread grooves. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 119, "New Pneumatic Tires-Other Than Passenger Cars."
The risk: Cracks in the tread can lead to tread separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact KTM's customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's numbers for this recall are KTB2208 and HTB2207.
KTM North America, Inc.Manufacturer number KTB2208; HTB2207View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 27, 2021

This motorcycle (your website calls it a 790 Adventure, but it's a 890 Adventure) has around 7000 miles on it. I purchased it new in March 2021. Ever since new, It should start with one light tap of the starter button. Instead, I have to hit the starter 3 or 4 times, and hold the throttle slightly open. Once it catches, and settles to an idle I can release the throttle. Usually, 3-4 seconds. I'm not very mechanically inclined, but it almost seems like it tries to start on only 1 of the 2 cylinders. It hesitates, and chugs very rough, before finally settling down. It isn't right. Admittedly, I haven't taken it to the dealer, beyond the initial service at around 700 miles. The dealer who serviced the bike said it should calm down with more miles. It hasn't. The closest KTM dealer is over 2 hrs away, so it isn't very convenient to have them look at something that an internet search tells me a dealer won't have a fix for. It just isn't worth my time and hassle since the bike runs great once started and warming up.

NHTSA ID
11438424
Incident
Oct 27, 2021
Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2021

PLEASE NOTE: NHTSA website data base vehicle model for VIN listed is INCORRECT. Model subject of this complaint is 2021 KTM 890R Adventure. When cold, first start of day, subject motorcycle engine does not run consistently / stumbles /stalls at start up and drive off. Safety issue for me is the stumbling and stalling making motorcycle unpredictable while entering traffic flow. The issue occurs at every cold start. If engine is warm, no issue noted. Have returned motorcycle twice to purchasing dealership in Ohio for issue investigation / resolution. Dealer states there is no known permanent corrective action at this time, even after discussing issue with KTM USA directly. Additionally, dealer stated "KTM" is aware of others reporting similar issue at a global level.

NHTSA ID
11438352
Incident
Jun 16, 2021

Manufacturer communications

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

KTB2208

WHEELS

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (“CTA”) has determined that certain TKC 80 tires fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 119, "New pneumatic tires - other than passenger cars." CTA has initiated a tire safety recall to remove these tires from service. The KTM models listed above were originally equipped with TKC 80 brand tires. CTA has determined that groove cracks in the tread rubber developed during internal testing. Groove cracking may appear during the tire service life and can lead to tread separation, increasing the risk of a crash. On the specified 690, 890, 1090 and 1290 Models listed above only the originally equipped TKC 80 front tire is affected and needs replaced. On the specified 250, 350, 450 and 500 EXC-F Models listed above both the originally equipped TKC 80 front and rear tires are affected and need replaced. Customers that still have originally equipped TKC 80 tires mounted on their motorcycle are eligible to have the recall tire replacement performed by an authorized KTM dealer.

KTB2107

STRUCTURE

It is possible that on the models listed above that the silencer clamp was positioned incorrectly during assembly and must be checked to verify that it is positioned correctly. If it is not positioned correctly it must be adjusted and corrected. On affected VIN’s if the silencer clamp is mounted incorrectly as shown in Fig.1 the clamp may come in contact with the protective sheathing on the rear brake line, the brake hose bracket or the swingarm during heavy compression of the suspension and with excessive payload. Please check that the clamp is mounted correctly as shown in Fig.2 at the transition between the presilencer and silencer.

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 890 Adventure R by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023100—
2022110—
2021Viewing210—

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.