The Lemon Index

Motorcycles · KTM · Adventure & touring

KTM 390 Adventure, illustration

Illustration

KTM 390 Adventure.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2020 to 2026 models.

26owner complaints
3recalls
4%involved a crash, fire or injury
—typical miles at complaint

KTM 390 Adventure years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.

202512 complaints

7 of 12 describe the engine stalling, mostly when coming to a stop.

1 reported a crash.

The 2025 is still new, so its count can grow.

  • Recall 25V907000 (structure): Engine vibrations may cause the side stand spring to break and the side stand to fall to the ground.
  • Recall 25V825000 (engine and engine cooling): The engine control software may cause the engine to stall at low rpms, resulting in a loss of power.

After 2025, no model year drew more than 2.

Fewest complaints on file: 2020 (2), 2023 (1). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.

What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.

Complaints by model year.

20202
20226
20231
20243
202512
20262

Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.

What owners complain about. Share of complaints.

electrical38%
throttle & speed control35%
engine27%
fuel system15%
lights12%

Recalls 3

  • Structure 2025

    Engine vibrations may cause the side stand spring to break and the side stand to fall to the ground.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling 2025

    The engine control software may cause the engine to stall at low rpms, resulting in a loss of power.

  • Vehicle Speed Control 2025

    Water could enter the throttle (e-throttle) control unit and cause it to fail, resulting in loss of drive power.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.

KTM 390 Adventure

2020–now

43 hpClaimed crank figure

Engine
373 cc liquid-cooled single (399 cc 2025+)KTM LC4c 390 single family
Torque
27 lb-ftclaimed
Weight
~379 lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height
33.6 in
Price new
$6,199 (2020)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate

From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.

Filed as: 390 ADVENTURE R, 390 ADVENTURE. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle

Also counted in the KTM 390 family page.

More adventure & touring: Harley-Davidson Touring · Can-Am Spyder · BMW GS (R1200/R1250GS) · BMW RT (R1200/R1250RT) · BMW K 1200 / K 1300 S, R, GT · Harley-Davidson Street Glide · Honda Gold Wing · Harley-Davidson Road Glide · Every motorcycle

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