IllustrationKLR650 ENGINE IDLE LEVER ADJUSTER SPRING FAILED SENDING METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGH OUT THE ENGINE THAT I HAD TO FISH OUT - VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM TO THE POINT THAT IT IS THE FIRST THING PEOPLE DO WHEN THEY BUY A KLR OF ANY YEAR. *TR
2003 Kawasaki KLR650
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all KLR650 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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: 5 of 6 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 1 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
6 reportsKAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE CHAIN TENSIONER COUNTER BALANCER AND RETAINER SPRING BROKEN AND MISSING. THE BROKEN PIECES CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE INCLUDING ENGINE SEIZURE WHILE IN OPERATION. REPLACED THE PARTS FROM AFTERMARKET SUPPLIER. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 KAWASAKI KLR650 AND THE BALANCER LEVER ADJUSTER IS BROKEN. IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE SEIZURE. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS YET AND AM DRIVING AN ALTERNATE VEHICLE. *JB
I JUST CHECKED MY IDLER SHAFT LEVER (DOOHICKEY) ON MY 2003 KLR 650. THE DOOHICKEY WAS INTACT BUT, THE SPRING WAS BROKE. I CAN'T FIND THE END OF THE SPRING THAT BROKE OFF AND THE CHAIN WORE PART WAY THROUGH THE SPRING LEAVING METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE NOT GOOD!!! JUST ORDERED NEW DOOHICKEY AND SPRING FROM ARROWHEAD MO…
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I JUST CHECKED MY IDLER SHAFT LEVER (DOOHICKEY) ON MY 2003 KLR 650. THE DOOHICKEY WAS INTACT BUT, THE SPRING WAS BROKE. I CAN'T FIND THE END OF THE SPRING THAT BROKE OFF AND THE CHAIN WORE PART WAY THROUGH THE SPRING LEAVING METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE NOT GOOD!!! JUST ORDERED NEW DOOHICKEY AND SPRING FROM ARROWHEAD MOTORSPORTS. *JB
WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN OUT OF STORAGE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TIRES SIDEWALL DEVELOPED WEATHER CHECKS. THESE WERE SMALL CRACKS THAT WENT AROUND THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN FOR 6 MONTHS, THEN STORED FOR 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT…
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WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN OUT OF STORAGE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TIRES SIDEWALL DEVELOPED WEATHER CHECKS. THESE WERE SMALL CRACKS THAT WENT AROUND THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DRIVEN FOR 6 MONTHS, THEN STORED FOR 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSED THE CRACKS TO OCCUR BECAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE WASN'T STORED NEXT TO ANY CHEMICALS. THE FRONT TIRE SIZE WAS 90/90-21 AND THE REAR TIRE SIZE WAS 130/80-17. THE MODEL NAME LISTED ON TIRE WAS K750.*AK
THE MOTORCYCLE CAM CHAIN ADJUSTER SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. SAUSAGE, KLR 650, 2003. *AK WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING SOUND FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE BROKEN SPRING BENT THE INTAKE VALVE AND DAMAGED VALVE GUIDES (SAUSAGE 630 2003). *TS *NLM
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.