2009 Kawasaki KLR650 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 7,750miles, 6 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 2009 Kawasaki KLR650 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2009 Kawasaki KLR650. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine (3) and exterior lighting (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 7,750 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.
- Electrical system3 50%
- Engine3 50%
- Exterior lighting1 17%
- Body and structure1 17%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “It is my firm belief that this vehicle (2009 klr manufactured in oct. 2008) should also be recalled for the wiring harness as the previous model (2008 klr) was. The vehicle will loose power/electricity to the spark plug when the handlebars are turned which in turn moves the wiring/wiring harness. The previous recall was initiated due to wiring harness issues. I recently had to tow my klr from the side of the freeway as it lost power while traveling at highway speeds in the busy city of austin, tx. …”
NHTSA complaint #10811287, filed 2015-12, 30,628 milesEngine: “This complaint does not represent an incident with my personal vehicle. The Kawasaki KLR650 series, all models spanning all mfg years, suffer from a weak chain tensioner assembly for the counterbalance shafts. This is an internal engine component. On the internet, this assembly is referred to as the doohickey. Searching the web for klr doohickey will yield literally thousands of results of both fixes and failures. Kawasaki has never corrected the issue, and an industry has even emerged with aftermarket parts to correct the defect that the manufacturer has failed to address. …”
NHTSA complaint #10628440, filed 2014-08, 5,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,500 and 10,026 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 2009 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 2009 Kawasaki KLR650 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2009 Kawasaki KLR650 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Kawasaki KLR650 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine with 3.
Has the 2009 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 2009 Kawasaki KLR650 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 7,750 miles and the middle half falls between 5,500 and 10,026 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.