There are no safety recalls for the 2001 Kawasaki KLR650, but owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA.
2001 Kawasaki KLR650 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 14 | |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | |
| Power Train | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | |
| Suspension | 1 | |
| Engine | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 8
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 2
- Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) — 1
- Suspension › Rear — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 12,800 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Engine · at 7,239 miles · reported Nov 16, 2016
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
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 12,800 miles · reported Apr 5, 2012
The idler shaft lever (Aka "doohickey") broke in half and the pieces of it were floating around in the crank cased. This is very dangerous because if a piece of the idler shaft lever gets caught in the counterbalance chain or causes a crank bearing failure the engine could lock up at speed causing a crash. I replaced the idler shaft lever with a stronger aftermarket component.
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 20,000 miles · reported Aug 17, 2009
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.
Engine and Engine Cooling · reported Jun 14, 2007
After 14,000 miles of use I AM the second owner of the motorcycle the idle shaft lever failed. With the frequency of this failure being reported, there should be a TSB issued.
Engine and Engine Cooling · reported Jul 16, 2006
When I tore into my 2001 klr 650 to inspect and replace the faulty "doohickey". I found the factory one broke. Both the spring and balancer were broke and I did not find either part in the motor. They are still floating around in the motor somewhere. There was scaring on the parts inside the motor where you could tell it had hung up on other moving parts and luckily did not lock up the motor. I replaced the "doohickey" with an aftermarket better product and hope the loose pieces do not float into moving parts to tear up my motor.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2001 Kawasaki KLR650 as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Kawasaki KLR650?
Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (14 reports), followed by unknown or other (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 12,800 miles.
Are Kawasaki recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kawasaki dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.