2002 Kawasaki KLR650 Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 3,000miles, 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 2002 Kawasaki KLR650 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2002 Kawasaki KLR650. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 8 complaints (73% of the total), followed by suspension (1) and tires (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 3,000 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 cooling8 73%
- Suspension1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I own a 2002 Kawasaki KLR650 with approximately 9500 miles on it. I was riding at low speed on the date below when I heard a loud metal clang in the engine and the motorcycle came to a screeching halt. Luckily, I was only traveling at 30 MPH and I was not in traffic. The cause of the incident was not immediately known. …”
NHTSA complaint #10187570, filed 2007-04, 9,000 milesSuspension: “I have a 2002 Kawasaki klr 650 with 6053 miles I am trying to sell it but no one wants it with out the balancer upgrade aka doohickey. I did mine today and found the spring broken. The tail end was missing. I know alot of people have been affected by this bad part inc. The balancer itself. I don't know what kind of damage the broken spring did but the bike still runs, and with the upgrade from eagle it sound alot better. I think Kawasaki own me some $$ for the parts and damage. I doubt if I will ever see any but would like too. …”
NHTSA complaint #10258507, filed 2009-02Tires: “Motorcycle is under 5000 miles and already has changed front and rear tires. Dunlop tire, model 750, size 130/80-1765s, and problem stillrecurring, tire got flat.”
NHTSA complaint #10026489, filed 2003-07Mileage 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 2,867 and 9,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 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 2002 Kawasaki KLR650 have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2002 Kawasaki KLR650 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Kawasaki KLR650 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 8 complaints (73% of the total), followed by suspension with 1.
Has the 2002 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 2002 Kawasaki KLR650 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 3,000 miles and the middle half falls between 2,867 and 9,000 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 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.