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2008 Kawasaki KLR650Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 116 owner complaints about the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1161 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage2kExterior lighting, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 20, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 has problems

116 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Exterior lighting850
Engine and engine cooling121
Structure100
Suspension90
Electrical system50
Power train20
Equipment20
Equipment adaptive/mobility10
Engine10
1 other systems10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2008 Kawasaki KLR650 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kawasaki.

Mileage at failure

When do exterior lighting problems start?

2kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 83 exterior lighting complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
83under 30k miles83under 100k miles0100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other KLR650 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the KLR650 median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'07'08'09'17'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What KLR650 owners report

Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TURNED IN COMPLAINT ON A FEW DAYS AGO. RECEIVED THIS TRACKING NUMBER 11063172. WHAT'S MY NEXT STEP? THE COMPLAINT WAS TURN SIGNALS FALLING OFF.
Complaint 11063854 · Jan 20, 2018 · 21,000 miles
EXTERIOR TURN SIGNALS DRYROT,THEREFORE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FALLING OFF AND HANGING ON BY WIRE. ONE IN FRONT AND ONE IN BACK. THE ONE IN BACK FELL ON TO MUFFLER MELTING PLASTIC.
Complaint 11061059 · Jan 7, 2018 · 21,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS RUBBER DETERIORATED AND FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED…
Complaint 10461869 · Jun 15, 2012 · 4,900 miles

Own a 2008 KLR650?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.