KTM Adventure Motorcycle Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

KTM North America, Inc. has recalled several KTM Adventure motorcycles. The main action is NHTSA safety recall 25V598, reported on September 11, 2025. It covers 2022-2024 KTM 390 Adventure motorcycles. Water could enter the throttle (e-throttle) control unit and cause it to fail, resulting in loss of drive power. The recall has been expanded: NHTSA recall 26V196 added KTM 390 Duke and RC 390 motorcycles on March 27, 2026. Owners should contact an authorized KTM dealer to arrange the free e-throttle replacement. You can check your VIN on KTM’s recall lookup page. Earlier Adventure recalls covered brakes, wiring, a rear shock and a fuel tank cover.

Latest KTM Adventure Motorcycle Recall Updates

April 30, 2026: KTM Mails Owner Letters for Recall 25V598

KTM North America mailed owner notification letters for NHTSA recall 25V598 on April 30, 2026 [1]. The letters went to owners of 2022-2024 KTM 390 Adventure motorcycles. They followed KTM’s remedy notice to dealers. According to NHTSA’s record for the recall, KTM and Husqvarna dealers will inspect and replace the e-throttle control, free of charge, for affected owners.

April 2, 2026: KTM Publishes Remedy Notice KTB2606

KTM published remedy notice KTB2606 for dealers on April 2, 2026 [2]. A new e-throttle assembly is available for the 2022-2024 390 Adventure, 2022-2023 390 Duke and 2022-2024 RC 390. The notice says the remedy for this recall is available now. KTM states that it has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists. This is KTM’s own determination and is not a court finding.

March 27, 2026: NHTSA Expands the E-Throttle Recall

NHTSA recall 26V196, reported March 27, 2026, expanded recall 25V598 to 2022-2023 KTM 390 Duke and 2022-2024 KTM RC 390 motorcycles. That adds 7,974 motorcycles in all [3]. KTM told NHTSA that ongoing data analysis showed more models belonged in the recall. None of the added models is a KTM Adventure model.

January 23, 2026: KTM Mails Owner Letters for Recall 25V825

KTM mailed the owner letters for NHTSA recall 25V825 on January 23, 2026. The recall is an engine control software update. It includes the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R and Adventure X models [4]. NHTSA’s record lists 6,546 motorcycles in this recall in all. It gives no split by model, so the number of Adventure motorcycles is not stated.

December 23, 2025: KTM Announces a Side Stand Spring Recall

KTM North America announced a side stand spring recall on December 23, 2025. It covers the 390 Adventure R, 390 Adventure X, 390 Enduro R and 390 SMC R for model year 2025 [5]. KTM says the issue is limited to forged side stands. The spring replacement is free of charge at dealers. Until then, KTM recommends securing the side stand with a rubber band or a similar solution.

December 5, 2025: KTM Announces an Engine Control Unit Software Recall

KTM announced an engine control unit software update on December 5, 2025. The update applies to the 390 Adventure R and the 390 Adventure X for 2025-2026, plus other 390 models [6]. NHTSA received the report for recall 25V825 on December 1, 2025. Dealers update the software in the engine control unit free of charge.

September 11, 2025: KTM Reports the E-Throttle Defect to NHTSA

KTM North America reported the e-throttle defect to NHTSA on September 11, 2025, in its Part 573 report for recall 25V598. The recall covers 9,070 motorcycles in all [7]. Of these, 5,173 are 2022-2024 KTM 390 Adventure motorcycles. The rest are Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 models. NHTSA acknowledged the recall in a letter dated September 19, 2025.

April 30, 2021: KTM Files a Front Brake Master Cylinder Recall

KTM North America filed a front brake master cylinder recall, NHTSA 21V304, on April 30, 2021. It covers 3,707 KTM 790 Adventure, Adventure R and Adventure R Rally motorcycles [8]. Production dates run from February 14, 2019 to February 28, 2020. Owner letters were planned from May 21, 2021. Dealers replace the return spring free of charge.

April 6, 2020: KTM Reports a Rear Brake Hose Recall

KTM North America reported a rear brake hose recall, NHTSA 20V198, on April 6, 2020. It covers 3,164 KTM 790 Adventure and Adventure R motorcycles from model years 2019-2020 [9]. NHTSA’s acknowledgment letter for this recall is dated April 9, 2020. Dealers install a new rear brake line free of charge for these motorcycles.

March 1, 2019: Recall 19V087 Begins for Fuel Tank Cover Inserts

NHTSA recall 19V087 began on March 1, 2019 for the fuel tank cover on 1,588 2015-2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure motorcycles [10]. Dealers inspect the insert that mounts the fuel tank cover and replace it free of charge. The recall applies to model years 2015 and 2016 only.

November 28, 2016: KTM Reports Recall 16V854 for a Wiring Harness

KTM North America reported recall 16V854 on November 28, 2016. It covers 7,801 KTM 1190 Adventure, 1190 Adventure R and 1290 Super Adventure motorcycles [11]. The 1190 Adventure and Adventure R models date from 2013-2016, and the 1290 Super Adventure models from 2015-2016. Dealers re-position the wiring harness free of charge.

May 10, 2016: KTM Reports a Rear Shock Recall

KTM North America reported recall 16V279 on May 10, 2016. It covers 1,238 KTM 1290 Super Adventure motorcycles (2015-2016) [12]. The recall began June 28, 2016. Dealers inspect the rebound damping plug and replace the shock absorber as necessary. They also install new suspension control unit software, free of charge.

Which KTM Adventure Motorcycles Are Affected?

These KTM Adventure motorcycles are named in recalls reported to NHTSA or announced by KTM:

• 2022-2024 KTM 390 Adventure, built February 16, 2022 to March 20, 2024 (25V598)
• KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R, model years 2019-2020 (20V198)
• 2019-2020 KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R, and 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R Rally (21V304)
• 2013-2016 KTM 1190 Adventure and Adventure R, and 2015-2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure (16V854)
• 2015-2016 KTM 1290 Super Adventure (16V279 and 19V087)
• KTM 390 Adventure R and X, model year 2025 (25V825 and the side stand recall)

On the 390 Adventure covered by recall 25V598, the e-throttle wiring or its DMC label shows the production date code 0523 for affected motorcycles.

Why Were the KTM Adventure Motorcycles Recalled?

The 2022-2024 KTM 390 Adventure was recalled because its e-throttle control unit could let water in and fail, which can cause a loss of drive power. KTM’s Part 573 report says moisture can migrate into the electronic component of the e-throttle and erode the electrical connection. NHTSA says loss of drive power while riding increases the risk of a crash or injury. The 790 Adventure rear brake hose may overheat, causing the rear brake system to fail (20V198). The front brake master cylinder return spring may be too weak to return the brake piston (21V304). On the 1190 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure, the wiring harness can fray and contact the ABS modulator (16V854). A 1290 Super Adventure rear shock may leak oil from the rebound damping plug (16V279). Fuel may leak from the fuel tank cover mounting insert area (19V087). The engine control software may cause the engine to stall at low rpms (25V825). KTM says engine vibrations may cause the side stand spring to break.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

For recall 25V598, the Part 573 report records first contact with Transport Canada about a consumer report on September 18, 2024. On February 10, 2025, Transport Canada told KTM about two additional reports. The report states no crash, injury or death count. It says a reduction in motive power may lead to injury and/or property damage. For recall 21V304, KTM’s Austrian manufacturer received 79 reports about front brake issues on 2019 KTM 790 Adventure models worldwide during 2019. The NHTSA records for recalls 20V198, 19V087, 16V279, 16V854 and 25V825 state no incident, injury or death count. A recall report alone does not show what caused any particular incident.

What Should Consumers Do?

If you own a KTM Adventure motorcycle covered by a recall, take these steps:

1. Use KTM’s VIN lookup to see whether your motorcycle is included in a recall [13].
2. If a recall applies, contact an authorized KTM dealer as soon as possible. For 25V598, schedule the free e-throttle replacement and bring the owner letter with the motorcycle.
3. Ask the dealer whether to ride before repair. KTM’s 25V598 dealer bulletin says affected motorcycles must not be sold or operated until repaired. Its Part 573 report lists Do Not Drive and Park Outside, but NHTSA’s record marks none.
4. Call KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090 with questions about recall 25V598 or the repair.
5. Report a problem to NHTSA through the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or on NHTSA’s website.

Other Recalls, Warnings, or International Actions

Recall 25V825, the engine control software recall, also covers 2024 Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401 motorcycles. It covers 2024-2025 KTM 390 Duke motorcycles as well. For recall 25V598, Transport Canada opened an investigation on October 3, 2024. KTM filed a Notice of Defect with Transport Canada on September 5, 2025.

Legal Options

A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation. A rider hurt in a crash involving a recalled KTM motorcycle can ask a lawyer whether a product liability claim fits the facts. A related page gives more background on product liability lawsuits and how injury claims involving defective products are handled in general.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Check If My KTM Adventure Motorcycle Is Part of the Recall?

You can check whether your KTM Adventure motorcycle is part of the recall by entering its 17-digit VIN in KTM’s recall lookup. For recall 25V598, NHTSA says the affected VINs became searchable on its site on March 31, 2026.

Is the KTM 390 Adventure Throttle Recall Repair Available?

Yes, the KTM 390 Adventure throttle recall repair is available. The owner letter says the procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, though the dealer may keep the motorcycle longer depending on its schedule and parts. The Part 573 report gives the replacement part production date as 2405 (May 2024).

Will KTM Reimburse Me If I Already Paid to Fix the Recalled Part?

For recall 25V598, KTM may reimburse you if you already paid to fix the recalled part. The owner letter says such owners may be eligible and should call KTM Customer Relations at 1-888-985-6090. Part 573 says a refund is offered upon providing evidence.

What Is the Difference Between the KTM 790 Adventure Brake Recalls?

The two KTM 790 Adventure brake recalls involve different parts. Recall 20V198 covers the rear brake hose. Recall 21V304 covers the front brake master cylinder, where the return spring preload force was too low and did not meet the specified tolerance.

What Should I Do If I Sold My Recalled KTM Motorcycle?

For recall 25V598, if you sold your recalled KTM motorcycle, tell KTM by returning the second page of the owner letter in the prepaid envelope. A lessor must forward the notice to the lessee within ten days.

What Can I Do If My Dealer Will Not Fix the Recall Free of Charge?

If your dealer will not fix the recall free of charge or within a reasonable time, the owner letter for recall 25V598 says you may write to the NHTSA Administrator at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590. You may also call 1-888-327-4236.

References

1. https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/campaignNumber?campaignNumber=25V598
2. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2026/MC-11031354-0001.pdf
3. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V196-4380.pdf
4. https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/campaignNumber?campaignNumber=25V825
5. https://press.ktm.com/news-recall-of-2025-ktm-390-adventure-r-adventure-x-enduro-r-and-smc-r-replacement-of-side-stand-spring-and-side-stand-sensor-retaining-plate?id=228202&menueid=6521&l=north+america
6. https://press.ktm.com/news-recall-of-2024-2026-ktm-390-duke-and-2025-2026-ktm-390-enduro-r-smc-r-adventure-r-and-adventure-x-update-of-engine-control-unit-software?id=227289&menueid=3050&l=international
7. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V598-9324.pdf
8. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCLRPT-21V304-5198.PDF
9. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCAK-20V198-2987.pdf
10. https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/campaignNumber?campaignNumber=19V087
11. https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/campaignNumber?campaignNumber=16V854
12. https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/campaignNumber?campaignNumber=16V279
13. https://www.ktm.com/en-us/service/recalls-check.html