The 2008 Kawasaki Kl650e has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 66,027 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING09V0590002009-02-1916,167 affected
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…
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING07V4860002007-10-1633,693 affected
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.
Complaints by component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
6
STRUCTURE:BODY
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
1
Total complaints14
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“1. Three (3) turn signal mounts have failed to date, during normal vehicle operation. 2. Failures occurred at 1,800 miles, 4,000 miles, and 7,300 miles on the odometer. Mounts fail in normal highway operation, leading to turn signal bulb/lens/half-stalk dangling from the wiring. No accidents…”
“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”
“Turn signals falling off newly purchased kawasaki klr-650 motorcycle. Rubber mount is thin and has been reported to break at the web site klr world .com. *tr”
“The rear turn signals fell off. The rubber that holds them is inferior and cracks causing the signals to fall off. *tr”
“2008 kawasaki klr650 motorcycle. 3 months old with 1800 miles. Right rear turn signal fell off. Left rear turn signal is cracked and will fall off shortly. Dealer will replace, parts on order but not replaced yet. I have the turn signal duct taped on and will put duct tape on the left as well. I…”
“Not a incident yet. The issue is that multiple rubber parts on my motorcycle are failing from "dry rot" within days of purchase. These parts secure the windscreen and body panels in place and protect the clutch cable from debris. While the wind screen coming loose at speed is a scary thought the…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Kawasaki Kl650e as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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