2008 Kawasaki KLR650
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Kawasaki › KLR650 › 2008
These records cover every 2008 Kawasaki KLR650. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650. Newest first.
On certain motorcycles, the spring retaining pin on the frame may not have been completely welded in place and could fall out, allowing the sidestand to drop into the "parking" position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this occurred while the vehicle was in motion, a crash could occur.
Remedy
Kawasaki will repurchase these motorcycles. the recall began on june 1, 2007. all dealers/owners have been notified.
Owner complaints
116 complaints1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting
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.
- Exterior lighting
Turn signals fell off. Hanging on by electric wiring
- Exterior lighting
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.
- Exterior lighting
Turn signals have a rubber mount that falls off. *Tr
- Engine
The engine burns oil excessively at highway speeds (60 to 70 mph). An engine lockup due to lack of lubricant IS a very real concern due to the oil consumption rate. *tr
- Exterior lighting
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 in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 4,900.
- Engine and engine cooling · Power train
The starter idler gear shaft hole/sleeve IS bore/milled to deep on the outside casing. The shaft moves to the casing side and loses contact with the inside bushing/sleeve, wich forms a gap at the main housing side. There IS now enough space for the spacer washer to fall into the bottom-end and cause huge/catastrophic failure. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki klr650. While traveling 65 mph the contact noticed that the vehicle had suddenly shut off without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced due to oil leaks. The vehicle was not repaired and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 5400.
- Engine and engine cooling
2008 kawasaki klr 650 starter gear cover IS improperly bored allowing support shaft to become unsupported on one end. this could cause thrust washers to drop into the rotating flywheel at speed, locking the motor and causing loss of control. older and newer models both have a ridge in the outer…
2008 kawasaki klr 650 starter gear cover IS improperly bored allowing support shaft to become unsupported on one end. this could cause thrust washers to drop into the rotating flywheel at speed, locking the motor and causing loss of control. older and newer models both have a ridge in the outer engine cover that prevents the idler gear shaft from drifting out too far and loosing support in the inner engine cover. this was clearly a machining error. I inserted a small spacer in the hole to prevent the shaft from moving. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
The safety issue IS on a 2008 kawasaki klr-650. The started gear IS grinding when I try to crank the bike. The dealer will not fix the issue. The cause of the failure IS a deep bore on the side cover that holds the gear. It IS a mfg issue. My concern IS when the gear lock up? There IS a good chance it could lock up as I'm riding down the rode. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
Cover side hole that lower starter gear pin rides in IS milled too deep and can result in severe engine damage. while installing a balancer tension spring upgrade (another issue with these motorcycles) I found I had this issue. I had to install a spacer to fix and prevent the other side from coming out of engine side hole and causing damage. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
The starter gear shaft can migrate out in the left side engine cover, leaving the gear unsupported on the inboard side and allowing a washer to migrate loose into the engine--potentially causing the transmission to lock up or the timing chain to skip teeth and cause the intake or exhaust valves to hit the piston top, bending valves and making the engine inoperable. *Tr
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
2008 kawasaki klr 650 motorcycle. Consumer states several problems with motorcycle and has received recalls *tgw since purchasing the motorcycle, the consumer had to replace three batteries. While changing the oil for the first time, he discovered the engine was consuming eight to ten ounces of…
2008 kawasaki klr 650 motorcycle. Consumer states several problems with motorcycle and has received recalls *tgw since purchasing the motorcycle, the consumer had to replace three batteries. While changing the oil for the first time, he discovered the engine was consuming eight to ten ounces of oil per thousand miles of use. the consumer contacted the manufacturer and was informed the oil consumption fell within the acceptable range as specified by kawasaki engineers. The consumer believed the pistons were too small for the cylinder bore on his bike. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling
2008 kawasaki klr 650 engine uses an abnormal amount of oil, leading to engine seizure/failure/costly damage. *tr
- Equipment
The 2008 kawasaki klr 650 motorcycle oil drain plug should be recalled and changed to a low-profile drain plug. With its current height, it protrudes below the skid plate and IS prone to damage. additionally the skid plate IS made of flimsy plastic and does not provide adequate protection for the…
The 2008 kawasaki klr 650 motorcycle oil drain plug should be recalled and changed to a low-profile drain plug. With its current height, it protrudes below the skid plate and IS prone to damage. additionally the skid plate IS made of flimsy plastic and does not provide adequate protection for the engine. while trail riding this new dual-sport motorcycle with only 1400 miles on it, I rode over a small rock, this cracked the flimsy skid-plate/engine guard and loosened the oil drain plug. while riding home later on the freeway, the drain plug fell out, all the oil evacuated quickly and the motor seized. this motorcycle IS still under warranty but the dealer insisted that this repair would not be covered. the piston rings were seized and the repair involves boring the cylinder, getting a larger piston and rings, plus gaskets and labor. The estimate for this repair was $636.00. the evidence of the need for these changes to the motorcycle are the prevalence of these parts as aftermarket accessories, to fill the obvious deficiency. the low profile drain plugs are roughly $12.00 and the more sturdy engine guards are around $120.00. *Tr
- Structure
All rubber grommets and protective boots are dry rotting at an accelerated rate brought problem to dealers attentions and he IS willing to replace all the parts as long as I pay for them. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki klr650. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign ID number 09v059000 (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe) and immediately called the dealer. the dealer stated that the vehicle should not be driven because…
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki klr650. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign ID number 09v059000 (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe) and immediately called the dealer. the dealer stated that the vehicle should not be driven because the bolts could loosen completely and the muffler could possibly separate from the vehicle, causing a crash or serious injury. the dealer also stated that they would not pay for towing. the contact does not want to have the vehicle repaired if he has to pay for towing. the vehicle has not yet been repaired. the failure and current mileages were 2,500.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
The conditions herein may cause an engine failure. This failure could cause the engine to seize which could cause the loss of control of the vehicle [motorcycle]. the vehicle was in use under normal "street" conditions. high oil consumption due to manufacturing defect/ workmanship. 1…
The conditions herein may cause an engine failure. This failure could cause the engine to seize which could cause the loss of control of the vehicle [motorcycle]. the vehicle was in use under normal "street" conditions. high oil consumption due to manufacturing defect/ workmanship. 1 quart+ of oil per 300 miles, resulting in high air pollution & possible engine seizure---from the loss of oil! Piston rings leak oil. There IS also a groove in engine's cylinder wall [3"L x 5/32"W x 1/64"D] due to improper part assembly [piston's wrist pin clip; a factory defect]. The engine's exhaust valves leak which also produces poor air quality control. These conditions are internal to the engine and were created during the manufacturing process. These failures can only be determined through the disassembly of the engine. the above vehicle's has only been used for 2,085 [2K] miles. It IS a 2008 model year. the above engine fails to meet air quality standards. the cost of repair IS being estimated between $800-1000. This encompasses partial vehicle disassemble, upper engine disassemble, machine shop work, replacement parts, engine reassemble, and the reassemble of the area around the engine [it's a motorcycle]. to correct the above failures new parts must be installed along with necessary machining of engine's cylinder. *tr
- Electrical system
Riding 2008 kawasaki klr-650 at speed less than 60mph. after ride (2) blinkers, one front & one rear fell off. the rubber mounting stalk on each blinker broke at the base and the turn signals fell off only to be held on by the wires. *Tr
- Exterior lighting
Traveling to work. turn signal fell off for no reason. melted to exhaust pipe. dealer informed me that kawasaki IS aware of the problem but has not issued a recall. *Tr
- Electrical system
While traveling on main highway at 2AM enroute to work I lost engine and lights. no warning. unable to see anything let alone other motorists being able to see me. replaced main fuse & battery...not the problem. taking bike to dealer today. out of warranty by approximately one month. only 1500 miles on bike. dealer claims electrical shortage somewhere??? could have been seriously injured or killed. *Tr
- Exterior lighting
All 4 of my turn signals have failed. the rubber boot that holds the turn signals on have all failed, leading to dangling turn signals. *Tr
- Exterior lighting
All four turn signals fell off in the first year of ownership. *tr
- Exterior lighting
I ride my bike every day to work. It IS garaged and when outside it IS always covered. I have never taken the bike off road or dirt trail riding. The bike has never fallen, been dropped or knocked over. When I pulled the cover off on 9/20/2008 at 1957hrs to head home I found that the left front turn signal was snapped off at the faring. *Tr
- Exterior lighting
Front and rear turn signals fall off. they are designed to fall off when struck by another object, but in reality, they fall off during normal use of the vehicle. the turn signals do not have to touch anything to fall off. when they fall off they are hanging by a wire and flop around. at this…
Front and rear turn signals fall off. they are designed to fall off when struck by another object, but in reality, they fall off during normal use of the vehicle. the turn signals do not have to touch anything to fall off. when they fall off they are hanging by a wire and flop around. at this point, your turn signals are useless. this has happened 6 times in one year. I was offered no assistance or acknowledgement of the problem by the dealer even during the warranty period, so I replace the turn signal and wait for it to happen again. I have talked to other owners and they are having the same problem. *Tr
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249813Service Information about a shipping bracket attaching the motorcycle to the crate can cause damage to the motorcycle fuel tank if removed.
Every Kawasaki KLR650 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.