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2008 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 →
116Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
20051
2006116
20086
2009
Compare all KLR650 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Exterior Lighting
85Engine And Engine Cooling
12Structure
10Suspension
9Electrical System
5
All reported categories
Equipment
2Power Train
2Engine
1Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

110 reports with mileage · 6 unknown

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 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 10 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 reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

85 reports
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5,500 miles · Jul 20, 2008
Exterior LightingStructure

CERTAIN RUBBER COMPONENTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE HAVE DRIED OUT AND ARE CRUMBLING. THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES A) TURN SIGNAL STALKS HAVE FALLEN OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE OTHER TRAFFIC NOT SEEING YOUR TURN SIGNAL B) WINDSHIELD RETAINING WELL NUTS HAVE CRUMBLED AND THE WINDSHIELD COULD COME LOO…

Read full complaint

CERTAIN RUBBER COMPONENTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE HAVE DRIED OUT AND ARE CRUMBLING. THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES A) TURN SIGNAL STALKS HAVE FALLEN OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE OTHER TRAFFIC NOT SEEING YOUR TURN SIGNAL B) WINDSHIELD RETAINING WELL NUTS HAVE CRUMBLED AND THE WINDSHIELD COULD COME LOOSE OR OFF AT HWY SPEEDS CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT C) RUBBER BOOT ON THE POSITIVE TERMINAL OF THE STARTER HAS DRYROTTED AND IS CRUMBLING. THIS COULD CAUSE A POSSIBLE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM D) THE BOOT WHICH PREVENTS WATER INTRUSION TO THE CLUTCH CABLE HAS DETERIORATED AND ALLOWS WATER INTO THE CABLE WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO SEIZE AND IF THE CLUTCH COULD NOT BE PULLED IN, MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235076

3,500 miles · Jul 20, 2008
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS FALLING OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235049

12,500 miles · Jul 20, 2008
Exterior Lighting

2008 KAWASAKI KLR 650 RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL HAS FALLEN OFF. THERE IS NO SIGN OF DAMAGE TO THE SIGNAL FROM A COLLISION. THE RUBBER HOUSING HOLDING THE SIGNAL HAS TORN AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235041

2,000 miles · Jul 20, 2008
Exterior Lighting

2008 KAWASAKI KLR 650 TURN SIGNAL SUPPORT FAILURE. THE RUBBER BOOT THAT HOLDS THE TURN SIGNAL ONTO THE MOUNTING LOCATION HAS SHEARED OFF COMPLETELY ON ONE, AND PARTIALLY ON ANOTHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235031

4,865 miles · Jul 19, 2008
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL MOUNT DRY ROTS AND FALLS OFF POSSIBLE CAUSE OF INJURY FROM SIGNAL ITSELF. OTHER PROBLEM IS IT COULD FALL OFF WITHOUT RIDER KNOWING IT AND COULD BE INVOLVED IN CRASH FROM LACK OF SIGNAL GIVEN TO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234941

Official recalls

1

07V244000 · Structure:motorcycle:kickstand/center Stand

Jun 7, 2007

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE SPRING RETAINING PIN ON THE FRAME MAY NOT HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY WELDED IN PLACE AND COULD FALL OUT, ALLOWING THE SIDESTAND TO DROP INTO THE "PARKING" POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: KAWASAKI WILL REPURCHASE THESE MOTORCYCLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2007. ALL DEALERS/OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.

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.