VehicleVerdict

2008 Kawasaki Kl650e problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2008 Kawasaki Kl650e — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Kl650e years?

Kl650e NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted14 complaints2006: 2 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 6 complaints2012: 1 complaints
Kl650e NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Kl650e years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Kawasaki Kl650e problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting750%
Engine214%
Body & Structure214%
Electrical System17%
Transmission17%
Visibility & Wipers17%

Does the 2008 Kawasaki Kl650e have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V062000Electrical SystemFebruary 20, 2009 · 16,167 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

09V059000EngineFebruary 19, 2009 · 16,167 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

07V486000EngineOctober 16, 2007 · 33,693 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ RIGHT REAR SIGNAL LIGHT FELL OFF OF MY MOTORCYCLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AND CONSULTING WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MOTORCYCLE I REALIZED THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HAD NO DAMAGE TO MY BIKE, NO COLLISIONS, ETC. THE SIGNAL LIGHT RUBBER AND MOUNTING POINT ARE WEAK, CAUSING THEM TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 10, 2007

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V059000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) AND CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 9, 2009

“I AM OWNER OF GREEN 2008 KLR. I BOUGHT IT IN JUNE OF 2008. IT IS COVERED UNDER KAWASAKI 1 YR MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. IT HAS CHRONIC RUBBER ROT ON THE WINDSHIELD SCREWS, AFTER ONLY 2 MONTHS OF USAGE, AND KAWASAKI AND THE KAWASAKI DEALER HAVE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RUBBER UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 28, 2008

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI VERSYS KL650E. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OR MORE, THE WIND PUSHES THE LEFT AND RIGHT EXTERIOR MIRRORS (SPECIFICALLY THE RIGHT MIRROR) TOWARDS HIM. THE CONTACT CANNOT SEE ANYONE IN THE REAR. HE ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE MIRROR WHILE DRIVING, BUT NEARLY CRASHED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 4, 2008

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V062000 (ELECTRICAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 10, 2012

2008 Kawasaki Kl650e — common questions

Is the 2008 Kawasaki Kl650e reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 Kl650e problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (7 complaints), engine (2 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints).

Does the 2008 Kawasaki Kl650e have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Kawasaki Kl650e. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.