NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Recalls & Complaints

The 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized KTM dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R, describing incidents dated January 24, 2021 to August 16, 2021.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11429340 · Filed August 16, 2021
The shifting mechanism components became loose, and it hindered me from shifting up - it would upshift with difficulty, then it would go from 1st gear to neutral, making for a very dangerous experience. It quickly degraded and I could not shift out of 1st gear at all.
ODI #11416391 · Filed May 13, 2021
GEAR SHIFTER HITS THE KICK STAND IF USER MAKES THE WRONG ADJUSTMENTS. USER CAN HAVE ACCIDENT IF THEY DON'T NOTICE THEY MOVED THE SHIFTER WHEN BIKE HAS KICK STAND DOWN.
ODI #11395746 · Filed February 11, 2021
THIS FAULT HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN 220 MILES (2 WEEKS). WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AND ENTERING A CORNER (IN MOTION), THE DASH SHOWED THE ALERT OF "MTC FAILURE". THIS FAILURE NOT ONLY CAUSED THE BIKE TO BECOME UNSETTLED/UNSTABLE, BUT UPON TURNING THE THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE CORNER, I…

Read all 3 complaints

Wiring Harness Damage May Cause Engine Stall

NHTSA #22V900000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported December 6, 2022 · KTM North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,040 vehicles

Repair completion: 53.65% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

KTM campaign KTB2211 · Owners notified January 26, 2023

Defect description

KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling all 2020-2022 1290 Super Duke R and Super Duke R EVO motorcycles. The main wiring harness may be misrouted or missing parts, which can cause wiring harness damage and result in an electrical short-circuit or engine stall.

Safety consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair the main wiring harness installation, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2023. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is KTB2211.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Wiring Harness Damage

NHTSA #21V122000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported February 26, 2021 · KTM North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 521 vehicles

Repair completion: 79.46% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

KTM campaign TB2104 · Owners notified March 24, 2021

Defect description

KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2020 1290 Super Duke R motorcycles. The wiring harness located in the rear of the motorcycle may be routed incorrectly, which could result in wiring damage and an electrical short-circuit.

Safety consequence

An electrical short-circuit could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

KTM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear wiring harness, and repair as necessary. In addition, dealers will modify a piece of the bodywork called the "tail end lower part" to correct the routing of the wiring harness and add wiring protection and cable ties. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. KTM's number for this recall is TB2104.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11429340

Incident: August 16, 2021 · Filed: August 16, 2021

The shifting mechanism components became loose, and it hindered me from shifting up - it would upshift with difficulty, then it would go from 1st gear to neutral, making for a very dangerous experience. It quickly degraded and I could not shift out of 1st gear at all.

Power Train

ODI #11416391

Incident: May 12, 2021 · Filed: May 13, 2021

GEAR SHIFTER HITS THE KICK STAND IF USER MAKES THE WRONG ADJUSTMENTS. USER CAN HAVE ACCIDENT IF THEY DON'T NOTICE THEY MOVED THE SHIFTER WHEN BIKE HAS KICK STAND DOWN.

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11395746

Incident: January 24, 2021 · Filed: February 11, 2021

THIS FAULT HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN 220 MILES (2 WEEKS). WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AND ENTERING A CORNER (IN MOTION), THE DASH SHOWED THE ALERT OF "MTC FAILURE". THIS FAILURE NOT ONLY CAUSED THE BIKE TO BECOME UNSETTLED/UNSTABLE, BUT UPON TURNING THE THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE CORNER, I DISCOVERED THAT IT COMPLETELY STOPPED ALL PROPULSION TO THE REAR WHEEL. THE MTC FAILURE STOPS THE POWER DELIVERY TO THE BACK WHEEL ALTOGETHER, MAKING THE BIKE UNSTABLE AND UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED THROUGH ACCELERATION (THE VERY THING THAT NEEDED FOR STABILITY ON A TWO WHEEL VEHICLE). I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN THE CLUTCH AND COAST THROUGH THE TURN, PULLING OFF THE ROAD ONCE THROUGH THE CORNER, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS BEYOND DANGEROUS NONETHELESS. HAVING SPOKEN WITH KTM AND HAD MY BIKE TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MTC FAILURE AND BEHAVIOR OF THE MOTORCYCLE FROM THAT FAILURE WAS NOT THE RESULT OF AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION, BUT EXHAUST SERVO CABLES BEING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. WHILE THE DANGER OF THE BIKES BEHAVIOR AND LOSS OF PROPULSION IS PROBLEMATIC IN ITSELF, THE GREATER ISSUE IS THE CAUSE OF THAT FAILURE COMING FROM COMPLETELY UNRELATED ISSUES. THE EXHAUST SERVO CAUSED THIS FAILURE ON MY MOTORCYCLE TWO TIMES NOW IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS (220 MILES), BUT I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS SAME FAILURE HAS BEEN CAUSED BY AS LITTLE AS A LOW BATTERY. HAVING SPOKEN WITH KTM A NUMBER OF TIMES AND CONTINUING TO SPEAK WITH THEM REGARDING THIS ISSUE, THEY HAVE NO PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. NOT ONLY THAT, THEY HAVE NO PLANS OR IDEA HOW TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY, AS IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.

Other KTM 1290 Super Duke R model years

Check your 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R VIN

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