Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2018 KTM 690 Duke peaked in 2021, with 2 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2018 KTM 690 Duke
Motorcycle, built in Austria. Owner complaints on file from Mar 10, 2021 to Feb 7, 2026.
Recall campaigns covering this model year18,398 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints63.0 times the median 2018 motorcycle
Severity index0.02018 motorcycles average 6.0
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
83% of complaints about the 2018 KTM 690 Duke name fuel system
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
One recall campaign covers the 2018 KTM 690 Duke
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21V-792 | Oct 12, 2021 | Bellow-style gasket on the clutch slave cylinder may have been damaged during manufacturing, which could cause the clutch to become inoperable and… | Powertrain | 8,398 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2018 KTM 690 Duke
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
6 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Feb 7, 2026Failure Feb 1, 2026Richmond, TXFuel/propulsion system
2018 KTM 690 Duke fuel tank shape has warped and the fuel filler neck gasket no longer seals the filler neck to the tank so that fuel spills out the top of the fuel tank. This same issue was addressed for the 2016-2017 model year KTM 690 Duke under NHTSA Campaign Number 17V388000. The result of this fuel leak is a potential fire hazard that could result in injury or death. This problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center and has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative or others. There were no warning lamps or messages associated with this problem. The main symptom of the problem is a strong fuel smell when near the motorcycle.
NHTSA complaint 11716411 - Filed Sep 2, 2023Failure Jul 1, 2023West Linn, ORFuel/propulsion system
The plastic fuel tank has warped at the bottom interface where the fuel pump assembly sits. As a result, fuel leaks between the fuel tank and gasket (which is no longer sealed against a flat surface). The fuel pump assembly sits immediately above the engine. Fuel that leaks will drip onto the engine and may ignite. Fuel ignition presents a significant hazard to the rider. This issue appears to be related to recall campaign number 17V388000, which affects the 2016 and 2017 models. This recall addressed a warping plastic tank that resulted in the fuel filler neck not sealing. My understanding is that there are very little to no material differences between the 2016-2017 and 2018 models, and therefore the problem of a warping plastic tank would be shared among the model years.
NHTSA complaint 11542302 - Filed Aug 26, 2022Failure Aug 24, 2022Desoto, MOFuel/propulsion system
Fuel is leaking a steady drop from bottom of fuel tank.
NHTSA complaint 11481461 - Filed Jul 20, 2022Failure Jul 18, 2022900 milesPhoenix, AZFuel system, Fuel pump
The contact owns a 2018 KTM 690 Duke motorcycle. The contact stated after having ridden the motorcycle approximately 30 MPH and then returning to his residence; after parking the motorcycle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor detected. The contact noticed that gasoline was leaking between the fuel pump and fuel tank at the rear center underside. The gasoline started to form a puddle in the driveway. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 900.
NHTSA complaint 11474900 - Filed Nov 21, 2021Failure Nov 20, 2021Sierra Vista, AZFuel/propulsion system
Gasoline had visibly leaked from the fuel filler cap on the plastic fuel tank. Liquid fuel and fuel vapors are freely exiting the tank. This presents an extreme fire risk. There is an active recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V388000) for 2016-2017 production of the same model. This recall should be expanded to include the 2018 model year. I removed a few parts and inspected the filler neck to tank connection and found visible warpage. A photo is included with this report. I will be contacting a KTM dealer to report this when they are open.
NHTSA complaint 11441170 - Filed Mar 10, 2021Failure Feb 27, 20211,051 milesLAS Cruces, NMMotorcycle starter interlock system- clutch, Neutral, Sidestand
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KTM 690 DUKE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HE WAS WALKING BACKWARDS TO TURN THE MOTORCYCLE AROUND WITH THE GEARBOX IN NEUTRAL AND THE CLUTCH LEVER ENGAGED, THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STARTED AND THE CLUTCH FAILED CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO ACCELERATE INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. LAS CRUCES MOTORSPORTS LOCATED AT 2125 S VALLEY DR, LAS CRUCES, NM 88005, (575) 216-5312) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,051.*DT *JS*JB
NHTSA complaint 11400137
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
2 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- KTB2112 Oct 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
On affected motorcycles there is a possibility that the bellow style gasket can be damaged caused by deviations during assembly. Damage to the bellow gasket may affect the function of the clutch slave cylinder. This could result in the rider noticing a chan… - TB1814 Jun 21, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
During the course of quality controls, KTM North America, Inc. has found that the tolerances between the decompression weight and decompression screw (marked in blue) are not in specification on select 2018 690 Duke model motorcycles. These auto-decompress…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.