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2021 Ktm 790 Adventure R

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 0 of 22 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. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 11, 2026
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I recently discovered that the brake light does not activate when applying the front brake lever. I became aware of the issue only after noticing that the motorcycle’s cruise control system would no longer engage. Upon researching the cruise control malfunction, I found numerous reports from owners indicating that failed front …

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I recently discovered that the brake light does not activate when applying the front brake lever. I became aware of the issue only after noticing that the motorcycle’s cruise control system would no longer engage. Upon researching the cruise control malfunction, I found numerous reports from owners indicating that failed front or rear brake pressure switches were the root cause. In almost all cases, the faulty brake pressure switch prevented the brake light from functioning properly. Online searches reveal widespread owner reports across multiple model years describing identical failures related to defective brake pressure switches. These failures impact both brake light operation and cruise control functionality. The safety implications are extremely serious. Motorcyclists may unknowingly operate their motorcycles without functioning brake lights, significantly increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. Owners may be completely unaware their brake lights are not functioning. In my case, I only discovered the defect because the cruise control stopped working. Had that not occurred, I may have continued riding without realizing my brake light system had failed. I also found reports indicating that other owners filed complaints with NHTSA and were subsequently contacted regarding dealership repairs facilitated through KTM. This suggests the issue may already be known within the manufacturer and regulatory system. Given the repeated reports across multiple KTM models and years, I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this defect and issue a safety recall . Brake light failure caused by defective brake pressure switches presents a substantial and potentially life-threatening safety hazard to motorcycle operators and surrounding traffic. Good faith repairs by KTM should be mandated for all owners.

NHTSA ODI #11737074

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2025
Service Brakes

I have had three separate incidences of the either the front or rear brake sensor switch failing which requires replacement. It causes the brake light to not function. I do have one of the three switches for inspection. It has been confirmed by a mechanic. As it is out of warrantee there has been no manufacturer inspection. T…

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I have had three separate incidences of the either the front or rear brake sensor switch failing which requires replacement. It causes the brake light to not function. I do have one of the three switches for inspection. It has been confirmed by a mechanic. As it is out of warrantee there has been no manufacturer inspection. There is no indication that it is not working other than cruise control will not turn on.

NHTSA ODI #11667944

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2024
Exterior LightingService Brakes

Good day to whoever is reading! I've recently discovered that my brake light does not turn on on my bike no matter what brake i use front or rear. Only way it works if i push brake really hard, like way beyond regular or emergency braking. I've found similar issues online and people pointing on faulty brake sensors. They are l…

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Good day to whoever is reading! I've recently discovered that my brake light does not turn on on my bike no matter what brake i use front or rear. Only way it works if i push brake really hard, like way beyond regular or emergency braking. I've found similar issues online and people pointing on faulty brake sensors. They are located under the gas tank. It requires good amount of skill and time to replace them. But i did and my brake lights returned, but during a test ride i'm loosing my rear brake COMPLETELY. I take everything apart again and find out that rear brake sensor is leaking. Turned out it needed one more turn really really hard turn, so hard i thought ABS module which they connect to is not going to endure it. I guess it could happen to front brake as well. And the brakes were fine my initial test ride around a corner. In theory i could lose both brakes on my way to work next day if i did not test ride enough. It is not just unacceptably hard to fix such a simple and crucial thing like a brake lights which go out without a warning but there is also a chance to lose both brakes in a middle of a ride. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Brake lights, yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Not safe Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Unknown Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning

NHTSA ODI #11613634

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2024
Exterior LightingService Brakes

Brake light no longer activates upon applying normal pressure to front brake lever. Brake light activation requires greater than normal front brake lever pressure/input in order to activate the light. This issue causes a safety concern with traffic when the motorcycle brake light does not activate appropriately when stopping. …

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Brake light no longer activates upon applying normal pressure to front brake lever. Brake light activation requires greater than normal front brake lever pressure/input in order to activate the light. This issue causes a safety concern with traffic when the motorcycle brake light does not activate appropriately when stopping. This issue is consistent/repetitive and is believed to be caused by a faulty brake light switch on the front brake circuit. KTM appears to have updated/superseded part numbers relating to the faulty part in question.

NHTSA ODI #11612747

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2021
Exterior LightingService Brakes

The brake lights were not illuminated intermittently and ABS was not engaging intermittently

NHTSA ODI #11432047

Official recalls

0

No 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.