Model year

2020 KTM 690 SMC R

Motorcycle, built in Austria. Owner complaints on file from Apr 22, 2021 to Nov 11, 2021.

Recall campaigns covering this model year18,398 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Close to the median 2020 motorcycle
Severity index50.02020 motorcycles average 7.1
First 24 months1Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2020 KTM 690 SMC R peaked in 2021, with 2 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

00.511.522021220222023202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

50% of complaints about the 2020 KTM 690 SMC R name fuel system

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Fuel system
1
Seats
1
Structure
1
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 2020 KTM 690 SMC R

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2020 KTM 690 SMC R
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
21V-792Oct 12, 2021Bellow-style gasket on the clutch slave cylinder may have been damaged during manufacturing, which could cause the clutch to become inoperable and…Powertrain8,398Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2020 KTM 690 SMC R

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.

2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Nov 11, 2021Failure Jul 1, 2021Los Angeles, CASeats

    The seat of this motorcycle unhooks itself from the front under hard acceleration.This continues to happen every single time. Extremely dangerous. Unit is under warranty and manufacturer refuses to fix the issue. I believe the issue is that the seat hooks are just a hair too short and this allows the seat to unhook, only under heavy acceleration. Consumer seat came off after 2K miles and under warranty but dealer refuses to repair it and claims it is consumer's fault.

    NHTSA complaint 11440146
  2. Filed Apr 22, 2021Failure Apr 21, 2021800 milesMesa, AZFuel/propulsion system, BodyFire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 KTM 690 SMC R. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE SLID OUT WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO STAND THE MOTOR BIKE UP; THE MOTORCYCLE PROCEEDED TO EXPLODE WITHOUT WARNING, ENGULFING THE CONTACT IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND UPON EXAMINATION THE MOTORCYCLE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 800.

    NHTSA complaint 11413436
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

1 manufacturer communication 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…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.