KTM 390 Duke and RC 390 Throttle Recall Grows to 7,974 Bikes

KTM has widened its throttle recall for the 390 Duke and RC 390. NHTSA campaign 26V196 covers 7,974 motorcycles, and the problem is serious: water may enter the electronic throttle control unit and make it fail, causing a loss of drive power while riding.

The recall was filed March 27, 2026, and it expands an earlier recall, 25V598. If your bike was handled under the earlier recall, you should not assume you’re done.

The short version

• Who is affected: certain 2022-2023 390 Duke and 2022-2024 RC 390 motorcycles, 7,974 in total (the campaign-wide number, not per model).
• The problem: water may enter the e-throttle control unit and cause it to fail.
• The risk: loss of drive power while riding, which increases the risk of a crash or injury.
• The fix: KTM will inspect and replace the e-throttle control, free.
• Earlier recall: this expands 25V598.

Why a throttle failure matters

On a bike with a ride-by-wire throttle, the twist grip sends a signal to a control unit rather than pulling a cable. If that unit fails, the engine may stop delivering power. NHTSA’s record for this campaign says exactly that: water entering the throttle control unit can cause it to fail, resulting in loss of drive power while riding.

Losing power on a small sportbike or naked can mean a sudden drop in speed in traffic or mid-corner. The record does not give crash numbers, so there is no count of how often that has happened.

Which bikes are covered

NHTSA lists these model rows under the campaign:

1. 390 Duke, model years 2022 and 2023
2. RC 390, model years 2022, 2023 and 2024

All of them share the single 7,974 figure. Do not add the rows. Not every bike of those model years is necessarily included, so use the VIN.

KTM’s own recall number for this campaign is KTB2606 and HTB2603. NHTSA’s record lists only KTM models, so this article does not extend the recall to any other brand.

The earlier recall and your bike

NHTSA says this campaign expands previous recall 25V598. The record does not explain exactly how, and it does not say whether a bike already inspected under 25V598 needs another inspection. That is the practical question for owners, and the answer has to come from KTM or a dealer who can look up your VIN.

If you had throttle work done under the earlier recall, call KTM at 1-888-985-6090 or ask your dealer to check your VIN against 26V196 before assuming you’re finished.

What to do

1. Look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls. NHTSA says affected VINs became searchable on March 31, 2026.
2. Or call KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090 and reference KTB2606 and HTB2603.
3. Schedule the repair. KTM will inspect and replace the e-throttle control at no charge.
4. Ask the dealer about parts. The record doesn’t say how long the repair takes or whether parts are plentiful.

NHTSA’s record says owner letters were mailed April 30, 2026. If you bought the bike used since then, the letter may have gone to a previous owner.

Riding before the repair

NHTSA’s flags do not tell owners to stop riding. Still, with a defect whose worst case is a sudden loss of power, many riders will reasonably want the repair done before the next ride, and a call to the dealer is the quickest way to know how soon that can happen. That is a judgment call, not a manufacturer instruction. If the bike has ever sat in heavy rain or been pressure-washed near the throttle body area, mention it when you book.

What the record doesn’t tell us

NHTSA’s page gives no information on how many bikes have been repaired, how the water gets into the unit, how often it has failed, or whether anyone has been hurt. It also doesn’t say if other model years or other markets are involved.

Insurance, briefly

If you ride one of these bikes, ask your insurer or agent how an open recall is treated if you have a throttle-related crash. The recall itself says nothing about coverage.

Bottom line

The KTM 390 Duke and RC 390 recall now covers 7,974 bikes, and the repair is free. If you own a 2022-2024 bike, run the VIN and call KTM at 1-888-985-6090, especially if you thought an earlier recall had already handled it.