2008 Kawasaki KLR650 recalls and problems

The 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 has 1 recall and 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is exterior lighting.

How the 2008 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 13 KLR650 model years — the most of any year.

1recalls
116complaints
0crashes
1fires
0injuries
2,000median 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 →

1 recall

Structure

Jun 7, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V244000 · 5 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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: If this occurred while the vehicle was in motion, a crash could occur.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy & notes

Kawasaki will repurchase these motorcycles. The recall began on June 1, 2007. All dealers/owners have been notified.

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

Exterior Lighting85
Engine13
Structure10
Suspension9
Electrical System5
Equipment3
Power Train2
Visibility1

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

Complaints by year filed

2007: 4 complaints20072008: 95 complaints2008952009: 3 complaints20092010: 7 complaints20102011: 1 complaints20112012: 3 complaints20122018: 3 complaints20183

2008 vs. other Kawasaki KLR650 years

2000: 8 complaints20002001: 19 complaints2002: 11 complaints20022003: 6 complaints2005: 1 complaints20052006: 1 complaints2007: 3 complaints20072008: 116 complaints1162009: 6 complaints20092017: 1 complaints2022: 1 complaints20222023: 16 complaints2024: 1 complaints20241

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

Questions

Does the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2008 Kawasaki KLR650, the latest from Jun 7, 2007 (structure). 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 KLR650?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention exterior lighting (85), engine (13), structure (10). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.