Complaints & Recalls
Consumer Complaints
33 ComplaintsKtm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ENGINE
Potential Consequences:
When engin is cold for more then 8 hours. Engin will start only on 1 cylinder (right), for +/- 1 minute (1000 +/- rpm), after, you will heard internal explosion, and left cylinder will start (1600 +/- rpm) . and dropping at 1400 for normal idle. With an strong gazoline smells after start-up, after 2 3 minutes smeel is gone Please note that I live in Canada Quebec
Corrective Action:
When engin is cold for more then 8 hours. Engin will start only on 1 cylinder (right), for +/- 1 minute (1000 +/- rpm), after, you will heard internal explosion, and left cylinder will start (1600 +/- rpm) . and dropping at 1400 for normal idle. With an strong gazoline smells after start-up, after 2 3 minutes smeel is gone Please note that I live in Canada Quebec
Additional Notes:
When engin is cold for more then 8 hours. Engin will start only on 1 cylinder (right), for +/- 1 minute (1000 +/- rpm), after, you will heard internal explosion, and left cylinder will start (1600 +/- rpm) . and dropping at 1400 for normal idle. With an strong gazoline smells after start-up, after 2 3 minutes smeel is gone Please note that I live in Canada Quebec
Mfg Campaign: 11445599
Recall Date: Dec 30, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
When engin is cold for more then 8 hours. Engin will start only on 1 cylinder (right), for +/- 1 minute (1000 +/- rpm), after, you will heard internal explosion, and left cylinder will start (1600 +/- rpm) . and dropping at 1400 for normal idle. With an strong gazoline smells after start-up, after 2 3 minutes smeel is gone Please note that I live in Canada Quebec
Corrective Action:
When engin is cold for more then 8 hours. Engin will start only on 1 cylinder (right), for +/- 1 minute (1000 +/- rpm), after, you will heard internal explosion, and left cylinder will start (1600 +/- rpm) . and dropping at 1400 for normal idle. With an strong gazoline smells after start-up, after 2 3 minutes smeel is gone Please note that I live in Canada Quebec
Additional Notes:
When engin is cold for more then 8 hours. Engin will start only on 1 cylinder (right), for +/- 1 minute (1000 +/- rpm), after, you will heard internal explosion, and left cylinder will start (1600 +/- rpm) . and dropping at 1400 for normal idle. With an strong gazoline smells after start-up, after 2 3 minutes smeel is gone Please note that I live in Canada Quebec
Mfg Campaign: 11445599
Recall Date: Dec 30, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ENGINE
Potential Consequences:
The motorycle has a hard time to start. At times throttle needs to be added to keep the engine from dying out. A modern and fuel injected bike should not need to have the throttle be opened for the bike to start up.
Corrective Action:
The motorycle has a hard time to start. At times throttle needs to be added to keep the engine from dying out. A modern and fuel injected bike should not need to have the throttle be opened for the bike to start up.
Additional Notes:
The motorycle has a hard time to start. At times throttle needs to be added to keep the engine from dying out. A modern and fuel injected bike should not need to have the throttle be opened for the bike to start up.
Mfg Campaign: 11445504
Recall Date: Dec 29, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Potential Consequences:
The motorycle has a hard time to start. At times throttle needs to be added to keep the engine from dying out. A modern and fuel injected bike should not need to have the throttle be opened for the bike to start up.
Corrective Action:
The motorycle has a hard time to start. At times throttle needs to be added to keep the engine from dying out. A modern and fuel injected bike should not need to have the throttle be opened for the bike to start up.
Additional Notes:
The motorycle has a hard time to start. At times throttle needs to be added to keep the engine from dying out. A modern and fuel injected bike should not need to have the throttle be opened for the bike to start up.
Mfg Campaign: 11445504
Recall Date: Dec 29, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ENGINE
Potential Consequences:
Stalled dozens of times and sudden loss of power when cold
Corrective Action:
Stalled dozens of times and sudden loss of power when cold
Additional Notes:
Stalled dozens of times and sudden loss of power when cold
Mfg Campaign: 11438484
Recall Date: Oct 28, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ENGINE
Potential Consequences:
I just wanted to make you aware of my 2021 KTM 890 R VIN # [XXX] 2000 MILES Since new it has had a hard start when cold or sitting overnight. It takes 2 or 3 times to start and keeps stalling I stalls runs rough and even runs on one cylinder for 30 to 60 seconds. Its a 2 cylinder motorcycle. Once running it runs great rest of day. MANY folks are seeing the same condition and KTM is not responding with anything of a solution I have owned many many motorcycles and even 6 KTMS but their lack of attention here is not good. Dealers say it's normal or no problem found. My local dealer said yeah, we have seen it no real fix. The earlier 2019/2020 790 models had hard start issues but this new 2021 890 model is worse, more widespread and more severe— running on one cylinder at start up. I am a master mechanic in the auto industry and understand something is wrong. If ANYONE bought a new car and it took several times to start each morning and it ran rough for a little you would not accept it. Not only is it not great for customer satisfaction but could be hurting the engine and might be an excess EPA emission issue too. Thanks for listening and more info is on the ADV website with lots of potential impacted customers here is a vid-- https://youtu.be/rPwFnlp0oxE [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Corrective Action:
I just wanted to make you aware of my 2021 KTM 890 R VIN # [XXX] 2000 MILES Since new it has had a hard start when cold or sitting overnight. It takes 2 or 3 times to start and keeps stalling I stalls runs rough and even runs on one cylinder for 30 to 60 seconds. Its a 2 cylinder motorcycle. Once running it runs great rest of day. MANY folks are seeing the same condition and KTM is not responding with anything of a solution I have owned many many motorcycles and even 6 KTMS but their lack of attention here is not good. Dealers say it's normal or no problem found. My local dealer said yeah, we have seen it no real fix. The earlier 2019/2020 790 models had hard start issues but this new 2021 890 model is worse, more widespread and more severe— running on one cylinder at start up. I am a master mechanic in the auto industry and understand something is wrong. If ANYONE bought a new car and it took several times to start each morning and it ran rough for a little you would not accept it. Not only is it not great for customer satisfaction but could be hurting the engine and might be an excess EPA emission issue too. Thanks for listening and more info is on the ADV website with lots of potential impacted customers here is a vid-- https://youtu.be/rPwFnlp0oxE [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Additional Notes:
I just wanted to make you aware of my 2021 KTM 890 R VIN # [XXX] 2000 MILES Since new it has had a hard start when cold or sitting overnight. It takes 2 or 3 times to start and keeps stalling I stalls runs rough and even runs on one cylinder for 30 to 60 seconds. Its a 2 cylinder motorcycle. Once running it runs great rest of day. MANY folks are seeing the same condition and KTM is not responding with anything of a solution I have owned many many motorcycles and even 6 KTMS but their lack of attention here is not good. Dealers say it's normal or no problem found. My local dealer said yeah, we have seen it no real fix. The earlier 2019/2020 790 models had hard start issues but this new 2021 890 model is worse, more widespread and more severe— running on one cylinder at start up. I am a master mechanic in the auto industry and understand something is wrong. If ANYONE bought a new car and it took several times to start each morning and it ran rough for a little you would not accept it. Not only is it not great for customer satisfaction but could be hurting the engine and might be an excess EPA emission issue too. Thanks for listening and more info is on the ADV website with lots of potential impacted customers here is a vid-- https://youtu.be/rPwFnlp0oxE [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Mfg Campaign: 11438301
Recall Date: Oct 26, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel tank with 87 octane, 10% alcohol. On the next overnight cold-soak starting attempt, and every cold start following, the vehicle started immediately on the first start attempt and settled immediately into a normal fast idle until warmed-up. This vehicle was purchased new with 0 miles on June 11, 2021. It received it's 600 mile manufacturer-required service at approximately 680 miles in September, 2021. It currently has, as of 10/24/2021, approximately 1300 miles on the odometer.
Corrective Action:
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel tank with 87 octane, 10% alcohol. On the next overnight cold-soak starting attempt, and every cold start following, the vehicle started immediately on the first start attempt and settled immediately into a normal fast idle until warmed-up. This vehicle was purchased new with 0 miles on June 11, 2021. It received it's 600 mile manufacturer-required service at approximately 680 miles in September, 2021. It currently has, as of 10/24/2021, approximately 1300 miles on the odometer.
Additional Notes:
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel tank with 87 octane, 10% alcohol. On the next overnight cold-soak starting attempt, and every cold start following, the vehicle started immediately on the first start attempt and settled immediately into a normal fast idle until warmed-up. This vehicle was purchased new with 0 miles on June 11, 2021. It received it's 600 mile manufacturer-required service at approximately 680 miles in September, 2021. It currently has, as of 10/24/2021, approximately 1300 miles on the odometer.
Mfg Campaign: 11437938
Recall Date: Oct 24, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ENGINE
Potential Consequences:
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel tank with 87 octane, 10% alcohol. On the next overnight cold-soak starting attempt, and every cold start following, the vehicle started immediately on the first start attempt and settled immediately into a normal fast idle until warmed-up. This vehicle was purchased new with 0 miles on June 11, 2021. It received it's 600 mile manufacturer-required service at approximately 680 miles in September, 2021. It currently has, as of 10/24/2021, approximately 1300 miles on the odometer.
Corrective Action:
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel tank with 87 octane, 10% alcohol. On the next overnight cold-soak starting attempt, and every cold start following, the vehicle started immediately on the first start attempt and settled immediately into a normal fast idle until warmed-up. This vehicle was purchased new with 0 miles on June 11, 2021. It received it's 600 mile manufacturer-required service at approximately 680 miles in September, 2021. It currently has, as of 10/24/2021, approximately 1300 miles on the odometer.
Additional Notes:
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel tank with 87 octane, 10% alcohol. On the next overnight cold-soak starting attempt, and every cold start following, the vehicle started immediately on the first start attempt and settled immediately into a normal fast idle until warmed-up. This vehicle was purchased new with 0 miles on June 11, 2021. It received it's 600 mile manufacturer-required service at approximately 680 miles in September, 2021. It currently has, as of 10/24/2021, approximately 1300 miles on the odometer.
Mfg Campaign: 11437938
Recall Date: Oct 24, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel tank with 87 octane, 10% alcohol. On the next overnight cold-soak starting attempt, and every cold start following, the vehicle started immediately on the first start attempt and settled immediately into a normal fast idle until warmed-up. This vehicle was purchased new with 0 miles on June 11, 2021. It received it's 600 mile manufacturer-required service at approximately 680 miles in September, 2021. It currently has, as of 10/24/2021, approximately 1300 miles on the odometer.
Corrective Action:
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel tank with 87 octane, 10% alcohol. On the next overnight cold-soak starting attempt, and every cold start following, the vehicle started immediately on the first start attempt and settled immediately into a normal fast idle until warmed-up. This vehicle was purchased new with 0 miles on June 11, 2021. It received it's 600 mile manufacturer-required service at approximately 680 miles in September, 2021. It currently has, as of 10/24/2021, approximately 1300 miles on the odometer.
Additional Notes:
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel tank with 87 octane, 10% alcohol. On the next overnight cold-soak starting attempt, and every cold start following, the vehicle started immediately on the first start attempt and settled immediately into a normal fast idle until warmed-up. This vehicle was purchased new with 0 miles on June 11, 2021. It received it's 600 mile manufacturer-required service at approximately 680 miles in September, 2021. It currently has, as of 10/24/2021, approximately 1300 miles on the odometer.
Mfg Campaign: 11437938
Recall Date: Oct 24, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
POWER TRAIN
Potential Consequences:
When running the motorcycle on the manufacturer-recommended 91+ (premium) octane fuel, the engine can take up to 5 or 6 tries (over the course of a few minutes) to start when it's sat overnight. When the engine eventually does start it runs very rough on only one (of two) cylinder. During this rough starting there is an overpowering smell of raw/un-ignighted fuel coming from the exhaust pipe. There seems to be some kind of issue with the fueling or ignition timing that prevents the engine from running properly on 91+ octane fuel. Switching to a slightly lower 89 (mid-grade) octane fuel mostly, but not completely, seems to fix the issue. However this fuel is not rocommended by the manufacturer due to the high compression ratio and I'm worried that it might cause damage in the long term. The bike was taken to the KTM dealer who performed a reset of the factory ECU; however, this did not help the issue at all. Reading online, I've found dozens of people with other 2021 KTM 890 Adventure motorcycles experiencing the same issues e.g. no start, hard starting, running on one cylinder, etc. Running on only one cylinder and sometimes dying is a major safety issue.
Corrective Action:
When running the motorcycle on the manufacturer-recommended 91+ (premium) octane fuel, the engine can take up to 5 or 6 tries (over the course of a few minutes) to start when it's sat overnight. When the engine eventually does start it runs very rough on only one (of two) cylinder. During this rough starting there is an overpowering smell of raw/un-ignighted fuel coming from the exhaust pipe. There seems to be some kind of issue with the fueling or ignition timing that prevents the engine from running properly on 91+ octane fuel. Switching to a slightly lower 89 (mid-grade) octane fuel mostly, but not completely, seems to fix the issue. However this fuel is not rocommended by the manufacturer due to the high compression ratio and I'm worried that it might cause damage in the long term. The bike was taken to the KTM dealer who performed a reset of the factory ECU; however, this did not help the issue at all. Reading online, I've found dozens of people with other 2021 KTM 890 Adventure motorcycles experiencing the same issues e.g. no start, hard starting, running on one cylinder, etc. Running on only one cylinder and sometimes dying is a major safety issue.
Additional Notes:
When running the motorcycle on the manufacturer-recommended 91+ (premium) octane fuel, the engine can take up to 5 or 6 tries (over the course of a few minutes) to start when it's sat overnight. When the engine eventually does start it runs very rough on only one (of two) cylinder. During this rough starting there is an overpowering smell of raw/un-ignighted fuel coming from the exhaust pipe. There seems to be some kind of issue with the fueling or ignition timing that prevents the engine from running properly on 91+ octane fuel. Switching to a slightly lower 89 (mid-grade) octane fuel mostly, but not completely, seems to fix the issue. However this fuel is not rocommended by the manufacturer due to the high compression ratio and I'm worried that it might cause damage in the long term. The bike was taken to the KTM dealer who performed a reset of the factory ECU; however, this did not help the issue at all. Reading online, I've found dozens of people with other 2021 KTM 890 Adventure motorcycles experiencing the same issues e.g. no start, hard starting, running on one cylinder, etc. Running on only one cylinder and sometimes dying is a major safety issue.
Mfg Campaign: 11437948
Recall Date: Oct 24, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
When running the motorcycle on the manufacturer-recommended 91+ (premium) octane fuel, the engine can take up to 5 or 6 tries (over the course of a few minutes) to start when it's sat overnight. When the engine eventually does start it runs very rough on only one (of two) cylinder. During this rough starting there is an overpowering smell of raw/un-ignighted fuel coming from the exhaust pipe. There seems to be some kind of issue with the fueling or ignition timing that prevents the engine from running properly on 91+ octane fuel. Switching to a slightly lower 89 (mid-grade) octane fuel mostly, but not completely, seems to fix the issue. However this fuel is not rocommended by the manufacturer due to the high compression ratio and I'm worried that it might cause damage in the long term. The bike was taken to the KTM dealer who performed a reset of the factory ECU; however, this did not help the issue at all. Reading online, I've found dozens of people with other 2021 KTM 890 Adventure motorcycles experiencing the same issues e.g. no start, hard starting, running on one cylinder, etc. Running on only one cylinder and sometimes dying is a major safety issue.
Corrective Action:
When running the motorcycle on the manufacturer-recommended 91+ (premium) octane fuel, the engine can take up to 5 or 6 tries (over the course of a few minutes) to start when it's sat overnight. When the engine eventually does start it runs very rough on only one (of two) cylinder. During this rough starting there is an overpowering smell of raw/un-ignighted fuel coming from the exhaust pipe. There seems to be some kind of issue with the fueling or ignition timing that prevents the engine from running properly on 91+ octane fuel. Switching to a slightly lower 89 (mid-grade) octane fuel mostly, but not completely, seems to fix the issue. However this fuel is not rocommended by the manufacturer due to the high compression ratio and I'm worried that it might cause damage in the long term. The bike was taken to the KTM dealer who performed a reset of the factory ECU; however, this did not help the issue at all. Reading online, I've found dozens of people with other 2021 KTM 890 Adventure motorcycles experiencing the same issues e.g. no start, hard starting, running on one cylinder, etc. Running on only one cylinder and sometimes dying is a major safety issue.
Additional Notes:
When running the motorcycle on the manufacturer-recommended 91+ (premium) octane fuel, the engine can take up to 5 or 6 tries (over the course of a few minutes) to start when it's sat overnight. When the engine eventually does start it runs very rough on only one (of two) cylinder. During this rough starting there is an overpowering smell of raw/un-ignighted fuel coming from the exhaust pipe. There seems to be some kind of issue with the fueling or ignition timing that prevents the engine from running properly on 91+ octane fuel. Switching to a slightly lower 89 (mid-grade) octane fuel mostly, but not completely, seems to fix the issue. However this fuel is not rocommended by the manufacturer due to the high compression ratio and I'm worried that it might cause damage in the long term. The bike was taken to the KTM dealer who performed a reset of the factory ECU; however, this did not help the issue at all. Reading online, I've found dozens of people with other 2021 KTM 890 Adventure motorcycles experiencing the same issues e.g. no start, hard starting, running on one cylinder, etc. Running on only one cylinder and sometimes dying is a major safety issue.
Mfg Campaign: 11437948
Recall Date: Oct 24, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
SERVICE BRAKES
Potential Consequences:
The brake lights were not illuminated intermittently and ABS was not engaging intermittently
Corrective Action:
The brake lights were not illuminated intermittently and ABS was not engaging intermittently
Additional Notes:
The brake lights were not illuminated intermittently and ABS was not engaging intermittently
Mfg Campaign: 11432047
Recall Date: Sep 7, 2021
Ktm North America, Inc.
Defect Description:
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Potential Consequences:
The brake lights were not illuminated intermittently and ABS was not engaging intermittently
Corrective Action:
The brake lights were not illuminated intermittently and ABS was not engaging intermittently
Additional Notes:
The brake lights were not illuminated intermittently and ABS was not engaging intermittently
Mfg Campaign: 11432047
Recall Date: Sep 7, 2021
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