Kawasaki KLR650Model year report

1998 Kawasaki KLR650 Problems

Complaints: 6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 10,400miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 0campaigns on record
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by fuel system (1) and transmission and drivetrain (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 10,400 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I heard about a flaw of the engine balancer system of the Kawasaki KLR650, I assumed that my engine was okay, as it seemed to be running fine, but then gave in to my curiosity, opened the engine cases and inspected the balancer mechanisms. Sure enough, just as many other klr owners had reported, the idler shaft was broken. I had an after market idler shaft that is forged from one piece of high grade steel and installed it. The engine runs quieter now and presumably is less prone to failure of this type. …”

NHTSA complaint #10018383, filed 2003-05, 10,400 miles

Fuel system: “Problems with fuel system on 1998 model Kawasaki motorcycle. At times the motorcycle experienced an erratic surge and buck as if it had no fuel. Upon opening the filler cap, the consumer noticed tank had plenty of fuel in both sections of the motorcycle, however it appeared the fuel was not drawn into the carburetor without long and repeated cranking of the starter.”

NHTSA complaint #10048735, filed 2003-11

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,749 and 13,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 10,400 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.

10249813Jan 25, 2024Body and structure. Service Information about a shipping bracket attaching the motorcycle to the crate can cause damage to the motorcycle fuel tank if removed.

Other model years of the Kawasaki KLR650

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2023	16	54	0	—	—	—	Too new
2009	6	7,750	0	—	—	—	Not enough data
2008	116	2,000	1	—	—	Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)	Stable
2003	6	10,265	0	—	—	—	Not enough data
2002	11	3,000	0	—	—	—	Not enough data
2001	19	12,800	0	—	—	—	Stable
2000	8	15,000	0	—	—	—	Not enough data
1999	7	19,400	0	—	—	—	Not enough data
1998	6	10,400	0	—	—	—	Not enough data

All Kawasaki KLR650 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by fuel system with 1.

Has the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Kawasaki KLR650 reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 10,400 miles and the middle half falls between 9,749 and 13,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.