2001 Kawasaki KLR650 Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 12,800miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2001 Kawasaki KLR650. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 14 complaints (74% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and engine (1). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 12,800 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.
- Engine cooling14 74%
- Other or unknown2 11%
- Engine1 5.3%
- Suspension1 5.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.3%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “The idle shaft lever in my 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 had completely broken into 2 pieces. I discovered this when upgrading the part. It could have caused catastrophic engine failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10280637, filed 2009-08, 20,000 milesOther or unknown: “1)poor perforamance seemed like carburater problem. 2)sudden loud knock and engine stalled at 40mph. Upon internal inspection, balancer shaft adjuster failed (broke into 4 pieces) circulated pieces throughout crankcase and snapped balancer chain. May be additional damage to internal engine parts. After research, learned that failure could have been catastrophic and resulted in engine siezing at high speed. 3)replacing balancer shaft adjuster with superior aftermarket part, replacing balancer chain, still inspecting engine for additional damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10127560, filed 2005-07, 8,218 milesEngine: “Cam chain adjuster otherwise know as a doohickey. If it fails it may cause the engine to seize up without warning, I change mine after it broke but did not cause massive internal damage I was unaware that mine had failed I did the change as preventative maintenance this problem has been known to the klr community for many years but Kawasaki refuses to recognize it, do a google search on doohickey for more info”
NHTSA complaint #10926349, filed 2016-11, 7,239 milesSuspension: “Consumer had noticed the swing arm bolts had been coming apart from motorcycle frame, which was attached to suspension, and could cause driver to lose control of motorcycle. Dealer had been contacted. Consumer stated that the pivot shaft bolts with cotter pins have been refitted so they will not come apart from motorcycle.”
NHTSA complaint #8005960, filed 2002-03Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,218 and 14,300 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 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 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 14 complaints (74% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.
Has the 2001 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 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 12,800 miles and the middle half falls between 8,218 and 14,300 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 29, 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.