2008 Kawasaki KL650E Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other KL650E years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 4 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E. That is the most of any KL650E model year in the database (4 years). The most reported problem area is exterior lighting (7 complaints, 58%), typically at around 1,500 miles. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 12owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Kawasaki KL650E problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 58% | 1,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 17% | 4,584 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 17% | 1,601 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 8% | 11,700 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Kawasaki KL650E recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: Kawasaki is recalling 16,167 my 2008-2009 klr 650 (kl650e8f/l, kl650e9f/l) motorcycles. Wires in the wiring harness might be damaged due to rubbing contact with a portion of the motorcycle frame.
Risk: This could result in loss of electrical power to the engine creating a risk of a crash resulting in injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the main wiring harness free of charge. The recall began on february 24, 2009. Owners may contact kawasaki at 866-802-9381.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Problem: Kawasaki is recalling 16,167 my 2008-2009 klr 650 (kl650e8f/l, kl650e9f/l) motorcycles. The muffler assembly is secured to the frame of the motorcycle by two bolts. It is possible that heat expansion cycles of the muffler, combined with vibration from vehicle operation may cause loosening of the muffler mounting bolts.
Risk: If the bolts loosen completely, it is possible for the muffler to separate from the motorcycle, creating a risk of a crash resulting in injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will remove the paint from the muffler mount tabs and replace the mount bolts, nut, and washer free of charge. The recall began on february 23, 2009. Owners may contact kawasaki at 866-802-9381.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Problem: On certain motorcycles, insufficient tightening of the muffler mounting bolts could allow the bolts to loosen.
Risk: If the bolts loosen completely, it is possible for the muffler to separate from the motorcycle and create the potential for a crash.
Fix: Dealers will tighten two muffler mounting bolts to the proper torque free of charge. The recall began on october 22, 2007. Owners may contact kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki kl650e. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle lost all electrical power. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified, but offered no assistance. The contact was informed of the recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 09v062000 (electrical…
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 kawasaki kl650e motorcycle. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 09v059000 (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe) and called the dealer to have the vehicle repaired. He was informed by a technician that…
I am owner of green 2008 klr. I bought it in june of 2008. It is covered under kawasaki 1 yr manufacture warranty. It has chronic rubber rot on the windshield screws, after only 2 months of usage, and kawasaki and the kawasaki dealer have refused to replace the rubber under the warranty. *tr
Motorcycle turn signals (rear) break and fall to hang by the wires. *tr
Not a incident yet. The issue is that multiple rubber parts on my motorcycle are failing from "dry rot" within days of purchase. These parts secure the windscreen and body panels in place and protect the clutch cable from debris. While the wind screen coming loose at speed is a scary thought the…
Other Kawasaki KL650E years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 KL650E | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 KL650E | 6 | 2 |
| 2008 | 12 | 3 |
| 2006 KL650E | 1 | 0 |
See all Kawasaki KL650E problems by year, every Kawasaki model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Kawasaki models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E?
Owners most often report exterior lighting, engine and engine cooling, structure problems. The top one, exterior lighting, accounts for 7 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Kawasaki KL650E a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other KL650E model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.