2008 Kawasaki Klr650 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (75) · Structure (8) · Suspension:rear:shock Absorber (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kawasaki Klr650 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
110 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (1)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2024-01-25 · MC24-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service information about a shipping bracket attaching the motorcycle to the crate can cause damage to the motorcycle fuel tank if removed.
What owners report
2018-01-20 · Exterior Lighting · 21,000 mi“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.…”
2018-01-16 · Exterior Lighting · 21,000 mi“turn signals fell off. hanging on by electric wiring…”
2018-01-07 · Exterior Lighting · 21,000 mi“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.…”
2012-09-07 · Exterior Lighting · 4,200 mi“turn signals have a rubber mount that falls off. *tr…”
2012-06-18 · Engine · 6,022 mi“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…”
2012-06-15 · Exterior Lighting · 4,900 mi“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 …”
2011-11-03 · Power Train · 17,000 mi“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…”
2010-08-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 5,400 mi“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 failu…”
2010-06-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 16,300 mi“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…”
2010-06-05 · 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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.