KTM 500 EXC: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the KTM 500 EXC across 2 model years: 3 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 33% of all complaints
- 2 Tires 33% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Tires: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ktm 990 smt (na) motorcycle equipped with two continental contisportattack tl tires, size 120/70zr17 m/c (58w). The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 14t009000 (tires).
The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the rear brake failed without warning. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was ten hours. Ne
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.