FaultScore report
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2022 KTM 790 Adventure R with NHTSA between 2022 and 2026. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
FaultScore 21/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the KTM 790 Adventure R.
How this is worked out14
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Information screen filled with condensation not sealed correctly causing inability to see speed, warnings, brake and and and controls
NHTSA complaint #11738953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The brake light does not illuminate when the front brake is actuated. The light illuminates when actuating the rear brake, but only with significant pressure on the pedal. I do not know what specific component is causing the issue, but have seen online that it may be related to faulty brake pressure sensor switches. I am willing to provide any parts that are determined to be faulty when they are replaced. Not having fully functional brake lights puts myself and others at risk because other vehicles may not realize when I am braking, which could lead to a collision. The problem was present during my last service of the motorcycle at the local dealer. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. There were no warning lamps or symptoms other than the light not illuminating. I first noticed the problem about 7 months ago, but am unsure how long it was malfunctioning before I noticed it.
NHTSA complaint #11610884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Cams showing early signs of failure at 12,000 mile inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11588861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Multiple Issues to report: 1 - Transmission stuck in gear WHILE RIDING! -The transmission or shifting mechanism became unresponsive during riding. The transmission allowed for a downshift from 3rd gear into 2nd, then remained in 2nd gear as the transmission became unresponsive to upshifts/downshifts. -This could have resulted in an accident but it did not. I was able to safely stop the motorcycle. -This issue has occurred twice (1st occurrence was in April 2023, which I did not report. This 2nd occurrence was in March 2024) -The motorcycle is currently being diagnosed by an authorized KTM dealer -No, the vehicle was not further inspected yet (but it is currently at a KTM dealer) -No warning lights or other alerts were present. No visual issues or leaks, etc. *I meticulously maintain my motorcycles. 2 - Metal shavings in the oil (@4,708 miles on 4/6/2024) I have performed my oil change (using OE recommended fluids and following recommended intervals) and noticed small/medium size pieces of metal on the magnets of the oil screens. Metal shavings were also noted in the oil itself. I saved the oil, metal particles, and oil filter. All oil change and engine maintenance has been performed in alignment with manufacturers recommendations since new. The engine has also become "noisy" on cold starts. Mostly a louder valvetrain noise. -Some sort of engine component is failing, this is extremely concerning from a risk perspective. The engine still operates, but KTM has recommended that I discontinue riding the motorcycle until it is inspected by a KTM technician. -This issue could pose extreme risk if an engine failure were to occur while operating, including serious injury or death. -This issue has not yet been confirmed by the dealer (but see photos attached) -No, the vehicle was not further inspected yet (but it is currently at a KTM dealer) -No warning lights or other alerts were present. No visual issues or leaks, etc.
NHTSA complaint #11582403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Multiple Issues to report: 1 - Transmission stuck in gear WHILE RIDING! -The transmission or shifting mechanism became unresponsive during riding. The transmission allowed for a downshift from 3rd gear into 2nd, then remained in 2nd gear as the transmission became unresponsive to upshifts/downshifts. -This could have resulted in an accident but it did not. I was able to safely stop the motorcycle. -This issue has occurred twice (1st occurrence was in April 2023, which I did not report. This 2nd occurrence was in March 2024) -The motorcycle is currently being diagnosed by an authorized KTM dealer -No, the vehicle was not further inspected yet (but it is currently at a KTM dealer) -No warning lights or other alerts were present. No visual issues or leaks, etc. *I meticulously maintain my motorcycles. 2 - Metal shavings in the oil (@4,708 miles on 4/6/2024) I have performed my oil change (using OE recommended fluids and following recommended intervals) and noticed small/medium size pieces of metal on the magnets of the oil screens. Metal shavings were also noted in the oil itself. I saved the oil, metal particles, and oil filter. All oil change and engine maintenance has been performed in alignment with manufacturers recommendations since new. The engine has also become "noisy" on cold starts. Mostly a louder valvetrain noise. -Some sort of engine component is failing, this is extremely concerning from a risk perspective. The engine still operates, but KTM has recommended that I discontinue riding the motorcycle until it is inspected by a KTM technician. -This issue could pose extreme risk if an engine failure were to occur while operating, including serious injury or death. -This issue has not yet been confirmed by the dealer (but see photos attached) -No, the vehicle was not further inspected yet (but it is currently at a KTM dealer) -No warning lights or other alerts were present. No visual issues or leaks, etc.
NHTSA complaint #11582403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Center display screen, aka TFT, randomly turns off while motorcycle is operating. The center screen displays the speedometer, fuel level and other information and an unsafe driving condition is created by the center screen randomly turning off. Center display screen is also affected by moisture ingress which allows condensation to form on the inside of the lens cover which obscures information displayed on the screen.
NHTSA complaint #11568334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Center display screen, aka TFT, randomly turns off while motorcycle is operating. The center screen displays the speedometer, fuel level and other information and an unsafe driving condition is created by the center screen randomly turning off. Center display screen is also affected by moisture ingress which allows condensation to form on the inside of the lens cover which obscures information displayed on the screen.
NHTSA complaint #11568334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Center display screen, aka TFT, randomly turns off while motorcycle is operating. The center screen displays the speedometer, fuel level and other information and an unsafe driving condition is created by the center screen randomly turning off. Center display screen is also affected by moisture ingress which allows condensation to form on the inside of the lens cover which obscures information displayed on the screen.
NHTSA complaint #11568334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Random stalling, lack of power, and failure to restart. Engine died in the middle of an intersection crossing a 2 lane highway leaving me to push it off the highway or get hit by oncoming traffic. The engine also stalled multiple times on the road at highway speed 35-55mph causing me to seek immediate safety on the shoulder or grass. Bike was taken to the dealer for assessment and the current plan is to replace the fuel injectors. The motorcycle has not been repaired and tested yet to verify the problem is corrected.
NHTSA complaint #11542130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Random stalling, lack of power, and failure to restart. Engine died in the middle of an intersection crossing a 2 lane highway leaving me to push it off the highway or get hit by oncoming traffic. The engine also stalled multiple times on the road at highway speed 35-55mph causing me to seek immediate safety on the shoulder or grass. Bike was taken to the dealer for assessment and the current plan is to replace the fuel injectors. The motorcycle has not been repaired and tested yet to verify the problem is corrected.
NHTSA complaint #11542130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Random stalling, lack of power, and failure to restart. Engine died in the middle of an intersection crossing a 2 lane highway leaving me to push it off the highway or get hit by oncoming traffic. The engine also stalled multiple times on the road at highway speed 35-55mph causing me to seek immediate safety on the shoulder or grass. Bike was taken to the dealer for assessment and the current plan is to replace the fuel injectors. The motorcycle has not been repaired and tested yet to verify the problem is corrected.
NHTSA complaint #11542130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
When I attempt to start the motorcycle after it has not been ridden for several hours, i.e., a "cold start," it will run very rough and barely maintain idle. The engine also makes a lot of noise during the first 30 seconds to one minute after being started, almost as if it is running on one cylinder instead of two. If I attempt to ride the motorcycle before waiting for it to warm up, approximately one or two minutes, it will lurch and has occasionally stalled. The fueling of the engine upon initial start up is very poor. It runs just fine once the engine has warmed up.
NHTSA complaint #11466259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When I attempt to start the motorcycle after it has not been ridden for several hours, i.e., a "cold start," it will run very rough and barely maintain idle. The engine also makes a lot of noise during the first 30 seconds to one minute after being started, almost as if it is running on one cylinder instead of two. If I attempt to ride the motorcycle before waiting for it to warm up, approximately one or two minutes, it will lurch and has occasionally stalled. The fueling of the engine upon initial start up is very poor. It runs just fine once the engine has warmed up.
NHTSA complaint #11466259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The motorcycle currently has 400 miles on it. Ever since getting the motorcycle home and when first cranking it in the morning (cold start) it will only run on one cylinder (has two cylinders) for a moment and then die. It takes numerous starts and will finally continue running on one cylinder for about 30 to 60 seconds at a very low RPM before the other cylinder starts. After that it runs normal. I've contacted KTM USA to voice my concern with no remedy to the problem. This doesn't give me much confidence when riding. If the motorcycle was too stop running on both cylinders while riding this could be dangerous situation. There have been no warning messages prior to the failure. This problem has been reported by numerous owners. Mine is available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11450599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.