Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 10 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
12 reports
11,700 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V062000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) AND STATED THAT HE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V062000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) AND STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED EVERYTHING THE RECALL LISTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,700.
NHTSA ODI #10465463
4,584 miles · Mar 6, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V059000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) AND CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF REMOVIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V059000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) AND CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF REMOVING THE PAINT FROM THE MUFFLER MOUNT TABS AND REPLACING THE MOUNT BOLTS, NUT, AND WASHER. AS A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN HIMSELF, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE PAINT WOULD INEVITABLY LEAD TO RUST FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,584.
NHTSA ODI #10260966
3,200 miles · Oct 7, 2008
Structure
I AM OWNER OF GREEN 2008 KLR. I BOUGHT IT IN JUNE OF 2008. IT IS COVERED UNDER KAWASAKI 1 YR MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. IT HAS CHRONIC RUBBER ROT ON THE WINDSHIELD SCREWS, AFTER ONLY 2 MONTHS OF USAGE, AND KAWASAKI AND THE KAWASAKI DEALER HAVE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RUBBER UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244622
500 miles · Sep 4, 2008
Exterior Lighting
MOTORCYCLE TURN SIGNALS (REAR) BREAK AND FALL TO HANG BY THE WIRES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240996
2 miles · Sep 1, 2008
Structure
NOT A INCIDENT YET. THE ISSUE IS THAT MULTIPLE RUBBER PARTS ON MY MOTORCYCLE ARE FAILING FROM "DRY ROT" WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASE. THESE PARTS SECURE THE WINDSCREEN AND BODY PANELS IN PLACE AND PROTECT THE CLUTCH CABLE FROM DEBRIS. WHILE THE WIND SCREEN COMING LOOSE AT SPEED IS A SCARY THOUGHT THE CLUTCH CABLE COVER IS OF PARTICUL…
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NOT A INCIDENT YET. THE ISSUE IS THAT MULTIPLE RUBBER PARTS ON MY MOTORCYCLE ARE FAILING FROM "DRY ROT" WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASE. THESE PARTS SECURE THE WINDSCREEN AND BODY PANELS IN PLACE AND PROTECT THE CLUTCH CABLE FROM DEBRIS. WHILE THE WIND SCREEN COMING LOOSE AT SPEED IS A SCARY THOUGHT THE CLUTCH CABLE COVER IS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN AS IT'S FAILING COULD ALLOW SAND ETC INTO THE CLUTCH CABLE AND PREVENT THE OPERATOR FROM ACTUATING THE CLUTCH MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSTOPPABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240556
7,300 miles · Aug 31, 2008
Exterior Lighting
1. THREE (3) TURN SIGNAL MOUNTS HAVE FAILED TO DATE, DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. 2. FAILURES OCCURRED AT 1,800 MILES, 4,000 MILES, AND 7,300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. MOUNTS FAIL IN NORMAL HIGHWAY OPERATION, LEADING TO TURN SIGNAL BULB/LENS/HALF-STALK DANGLING FROM THE WIRING. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED DUE TO THE FAILURES. 3…
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1. THREE (3) TURN SIGNAL MOUNTS HAVE FAILED TO DATE, DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. 2. FAILURES OCCURRED AT 1,800 MILES, 4,000 MILES, AND 7,300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. MOUNTS FAIL IN NORMAL HIGHWAY OPERATION, LEADING TO TURN SIGNAL BULB/LENS/HALF-STALK DANGLING FROM THE WIRING. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED DUE TO THE FAILURES. 3. FIRST ONE REPLACE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE, SECOND REPLACED AT DEALERS EXPENSE, THIRD BEING DEBATED BY DEALER. THIRD UNIT STILL IN OWNER'S POSSESSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240480
3,985 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNALS FALLING OFF NEWLY PURCHASED KAWASAKI KLR-650 MOTORCYCLE. RUBBER MOUNT IS THIN AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BREAK AT THE WEB SITE KLR WORLD .COM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235336
1,200 miles · Jul 21, 2008
Exterior Lighting
MY LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL FELL OFF THIS TIME. (MY SECOND COMPLAINT). I WAS ACTUALLY RETURNING FROM THE KAWASAKI DEALERSHIP HAVING MY RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL REPAIRED WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL JUST FELL OFF AND STARTED FLOPPING IN THE WIND. I HAD TO TRAVEL 40+ MILES WITH NO TURN SIGNALS AFTER JUST LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. KLR OWNER…
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MY LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL FELL OFF THIS TIME. (MY SECOND COMPLAINT). I WAS ACTUALLY RETURNING FROM THE KAWASAKI DEALERSHIP HAVING MY RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL REPAIRED WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL JUST FELL OFF AND STARTED FLOPPING IN THE WIND. I HAD TO TRAVEL 40+ MILES WITH NO TURN SIGNALS AFTER JUST LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. KLR OWNERS NOW RESORT TO PURCHASING AFTERMARKET TURN SIGNALS TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT KAWASAKI HAS IGNORED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235129
600 miles · Jul 21, 2008
Exterior Lighting
RIGHT REAR SIGNAL LIGHT FELL OFF OF MY MOTORCYCLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AND CONSULTING WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MOTORCYCLE I REALIZED THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HAD NO DAMAGE TO MY BIKE, NO COLLISIONS, ETC. THE SIGNAL LIGHT RUBBER AND MOUNTING POINT ARE WEAK, CAUSING THEM TO COLLAPSE WITH NO WARNING, LEAVI…
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RIGHT REAR SIGNAL LIGHT FELL OFF OF MY MOTORCYCLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AND CONSULTING WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MOTORCYCLE I REALIZED THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HAD NO DAMAGE TO MY BIKE, NO COLLISIONS, ETC. THE SIGNAL LIGHT RUBBER AND MOUNTING POINT ARE WEAK, CAUSING THEM TO COLLAPSE WITH NO WARNING, LEAVING THE RIDER WITHOUT SIGNAL LIGHTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235128
1,800 miles · Jul 20, 2008
Exterior Lighting
2008 KAWASAKI KLR650 MOTORCYCLE. 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 1800 MILES. RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL FELL OFF. LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL IS CRACKED AND WILL FALL OFF SHORTLY. DEALER WILL REPLACE, PARTS ON ORDER BUT NOT REPLACED YET. I HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL DUCT TAPED ON AND WILL PUT DUCT TAPE ON THE LEFT AS WELL. I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THEY FA…
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2008 KAWASAKI KLR650 MOTORCYCLE. 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 1800 MILES. RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL FELL OFF. LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL IS CRACKED AND WILL FALL OFF SHORTLY. DEALER WILL REPLACE, PARTS ON ORDER BUT NOT REPLACED YET. I HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL DUCT TAPED ON AND WILL PUT DUCT TAPE ON THE LEFT AS WELL. I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THEY FALL OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT ABUSE. THE RUBBER DETERIORATES QUICKLY. AN INTERNET SEARCH WILL EXPOSE JUST HOW COMMON THIS IS AND THE TURN SIGNAL SEEMS TO BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME ONE THAT FAILS QUICKLY. IT'S AN ALMOST 200 MILE ROUND TRIP TO THE DEALER AND THIS HAS TO BE DONE 2 TIMES EACH TIME TO INSPECT AND ORDER THE PART AND AGAIN TO REPLACE THE PART. I THINK THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE TURN SIGNALS AND KAWASAKI SHOULD RECALL THESE AND REPLACE THEM WITH SOMETHING MORE DURABLE! *TR
KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 16,167 MY 2008-2009 KLR 650 (KL650E8F/L, KL650E9F/L) MOTORCYCLES. WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS MIGHT BE DAMAGED DUE TO RUBBING CONTACT WITH A PORTION OF THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ENGINE CREATING A RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 16,167 MY 2008-2009 KLR 650 (KL650E8F/L, KL650E9F/L) MOTORCYCLES. THE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY IS SECURED TO THE FRAME OF THE MOTORCYCLE BY TWO BOLTS. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HEAT EXPANSION CYCLES OF THE MUFFLER, COMBINED WITH VIBRATION FROM VEHICLE OPERATION MAY CAUSE LOOSENING OF THE MUFFLER MOUNTING BOLTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN COMPLETELY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE MUFFLER TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE, CREATING A RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PAINT FROM THE MUFFLER MOUNT TABS AND REPLACE THE MOUNT BOLTS, NUT, AND WASHER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 866-802-9381.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE MUFFLER MOUNTING BOLTS COULD ALLOW THE BOLTS TO LOOSEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN COMPLETELY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE MUFFLER TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN TWO MUFFLER MOUNTING BOLTS TO THE PROPER TORQUE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2008 Kawasaki KL650E Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year