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2020 Ktm 790 Adventure

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
11Owner complaints

Model-year median: 11

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
12
201911
2020
Compare all 790 Adventure years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine
7Fuel/propulsion System
2Exterior Lighting
1Power Train
1Service Brakes
1
All reported categories
Suspension
1

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: 2 of 11 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 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. 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

Suspension complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2022
Suspension

The main rear shock shaft seal has failed on two separate occasions causing shock oil to spill all over the catalytic converter posing a huge risk for fire. On both failure instances the motorcycle was being transported on a motorcycle specific hitch rack on the back of my pickup truck. The first shock seal failure occurred when…

Read full complaint

The main rear shock shaft seal has failed on two separate occasions causing shock oil to spill all over the catalytic converter posing a huge risk for fire. On both failure instances the motorcycle was being transported on a motorcycle specific hitch rack on the back of my pickup truck. The first shock seal failure occurred when I was transporting the motorcycle to my local dealer for service and the temperature was 16 degrees Fahrenheit during transport. The second shock seal failure occurred when I was transporting the motorcycle to Moab for a riding trip and the temperature dropped down to -6 degrees Fahrenheit during transport. KTM completed the first repair under warranty, which only lasted about 9 months when the shock seal failed the second time. I had to pay nearly $600 to get the second failure repaired by a KTM dealer using KTM parts. Both shock seal failures caused shock oil to spill all over the catalytic converter posing a huge fire risk. At this point I seriously doubt the durability and safety of the shock and I'm considering replacing the shock with an aftermarket one that won't fail and cause a fire.

NHTSA ODI #11498129

Official recalls

2

21V304000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Apr 30, 2021

KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R, and 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R Rally motorcycles. The front brake master cylinder piston return spring may be too weak to return the brake piston to its original position, reducing the functionality of the front brake.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A front brake with reduced functionality may increase the distance required to stop as well as the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the return spring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is KTM2106.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R, and 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R Rally motorcycles. The front brake master cylinder piston return spring may be too weak to return the brake piston to its original position, reducing the functionality of the front brake.

Consequence: A front brake with reduced functionality may increase the distance required to stop as well as the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the return spring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is KTM2106.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R, and 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R Rally motorcycles. The front brake master cylinder piston return spring may be too weak to return the brake piston to its original position, reducing the functionality of the front brake.

Consequence: A front brake with reduced functionality may increase the distance required to stop as well as the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the return spring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is KTM2106.

20V198000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Apr 6, 2020

KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R motorcycles. The rear brake hose may overheat, causing the rear brake system to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the rear brake system fails, there would be reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: KTM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new rear brake line, free of charge. The recall began April 28, 2020. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is TB2011.

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.