NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Kawasaki KL650E Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 Kawasaki KL650E has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 12 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kawasaki dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2008 Kawasaki KL650E owner complaints

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E, describing incidents dated October 10, 2007 to July 10, 2012.

Most-cited components

Exterior Lighting 7 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10465463 · Filed July 12, 2012
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…
ODI #10260966 · Filed March 6, 2009
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…
ODI #10244622 · Filed October 7, 2008
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

Read all 12 complaints

WIRES IN THE MAIN HARNESS

NHTSA #09V062000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported February 20, 2009 · KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.

Potentially affected: 16,167 vehicles

Owners notified February 24, 2009 · Vehicles built February 14, 2007 – January 23, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ENGINE CREATING A RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

MUFFLER MOUNT BOLT

NHTSA #09V059000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · NHTSA notice

Reported February 19, 2009 · KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.

Potentially affected: 16,167 vehicles

Owners notified February 23, 2009 · Vehicles built February 14, 2007 – January 23, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

MUFFLER MOUNTING BOLTS

NHTSA #07V486000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · NHTSA notice

Reported October 16, 2007 · KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.

Potentially affected: 33,693 vehicles

Owners notified October 22, 2007 · Vehicles built June 8, 2001 – July 11, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE MUFFLER MOUNTING BOLTS COULD ALLOW THE BOLTS TO LOOSEN.

Safety consequence

IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN COMPLETELY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE MUFFLER TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

12 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E.

Electrical System

ODI #10465463

Incident: July 10, 2012 · Filed: July 12, 2012

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10260966

Incident: February 9, 2009 · Filed: March 6, 2009

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.

Structure

ODI #10244622

Incident: July 28, 2008 · Filed: October 7, 2008

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

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10240996

Incident: May 27, 2008 · Filed: September 4, 2008

MOTORCYCLE TURN SIGNALS (REAR) BREAK AND FALL TO HANG BY THE WIRES. *TR

Structure

ODI #10240556

Incident: June 1, 2008 · Filed: September 1, 2008

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

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10240480

Incident: August 30, 2008 · Filed: August 31, 2008

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

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10235336

Incident: July 20, 2008 · Filed: July 22, 2008

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

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10235129

Incident: January 15, 2008 · Filed: July 21, 2008

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

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10235128

Incident: October 10, 2007 · Filed: July 21, 2008

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

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10235071

Incident: June 28, 2008 · Filed: July 20, 2008

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

Other Kawasaki KL650E model years

Check your 2008 Kawasaki KL650E VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kawasaki KL650E at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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