2008 Kawasaki KL650E recalls and problems

The 2008 Kawasaki KL650E has 3 recalls and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is exterior lighting.

How the 2008 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 4 KL650E model years — the most of any year.

3recalls

12complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

3,200median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Electrical System

Feb 20, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V062000 · 16,167 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: This could result in loss of electrical power to the engine creating a risk of a crash resulting in injury or death.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

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.

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> .

Engine

Feb 19, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V059000 · 16,167 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Engine

Oct 16, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V486000 · 33,693 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, insufficient tightening of the muffler mounting bolts could allow the bolts to loosen.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Risk: If the bolts loosen completely, it is possible for the muffler to separate from the motorcycle and create the potential for a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

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.

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.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2008 vs. other Kawasaki KL650E years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E, the latest from Feb 20, 2009 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention exterior lighting (7), engine (2), structure (2). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.