2003 Kawasaki KLR650 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 10,265miles, 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 2003 Kawasaki KLR650 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2003 Kawasaki KLR650. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (83% of the total), followed by steering (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 10,265 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 cooling5 83%
- Steering1 17%
- Tires1 17%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I just checked my idler shaft lever (doohickey) on my 2003 klr 650. The doohickey was intact but, the spring was broke. I can't find the end of the spring that broke off and the chain wore part way through the spring leaving metal shavings throughout the engine not good!!! Just ordered new doohickey and spring from arrowhead motorsports.”
NHTSA complaint #10147202, filed 2006-01, 8,900 milesTires: “When the motorcycle was taken out of storage consumer noticed that tires sidewall developed weather checks. These were small cracks that went around the sidewall of the tires. The motorcycle was driven for 6 months, then stored for 6 months prior to this problem occurring. Dealership was contacted but could not identify what caused the cracks to occur because the motorcycle wasn't stored next to any chemicals. The front tire size was 90/90-21 and the rear tire size was 130/80-17. The model name listed on tire was k750.”
NHTSA complaint #10081619, filed 2004-07Mileage 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 8,900 and 15,000 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 2003 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 2003 Kawasaki KLR650 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2003 Kawasaki KLR650 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Kawasaki KLR650 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (83% of the total), followed by steering with 1.
Has the 2003 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 2003 Kawasaki KLR650 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 10,265 miles and the middle half falls between 8,900 and 15,000 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.