Kawasaki Teryx Problems: 6 Common Issues (Explained)

Ever had that feeling that the world is your oyster? That you can go anywhere and everywhere you want?

Well, that’s the feeling the Kawasaki Teryx gives you. A feeling of ultimate freedom and adventure. This rugged, rough terrain vehicle will swallow any sticky situation you put it in for outdoor enthusiasts.

Dubbed the Teryx KRX 1000, this Kawasaki UTV(utility terrain vehicle) features new engine-braking technology and a powerful 999cc engine. This utility vehicle is ready to take on any terrain you throw at it and come out of those hilly situations without breaking a sweat.

With the market for utility vehicles on the rise, there’s bound to be some confusion as to which one offers the best bang for your buck.

The Kawasaki Teryx is no exception to this, so we’ve put together a few common issues to look out for on this great sports performance utility vehicle.

Let’s get straight into it!

1. Overheating When Running Hard

There’s no way that an engine that gets over rough terrain and comes out on top isn’t going to have engine issues.

On the Kawasaki Teryx, these show themselves as heat issues.

The Teryx has an issue of overheating when being run for a long period of time.

This is not a huge problem for owners because it depends on how and where the vehicle is driven. A long smooth ride on even roads differs from a hilly and rough outdoor trail.

The overheating issues kick in when the Teryx is being put through many obstacles such as climbing and going down steep hills. These kinds of situations mean the Teryx is working overtime to give a smooth ride even under those harsh conditions.

This means the engine will likely overheat.

Most owners noticed that most of the heat would come directly into the vehicle’s cab, making for an uncomfortable ride.

It seems like this is a common issue with most UTV’s because of where the engine is located. Most owners get creative when dealing with this heat issue and try to modify the vehicle for better heat control or dissipation.

Check also our article about the Honda Transalp.

For Trying to Lower the Heat in the Kawasaki Teryx:

• Putting rubber under the driver seat
• Installing a snorkel kit for the drive belt
• Insulating the plastics covering the engine
• Using engine ice antifreeze

Of all these suggestions, insulating the plastic coverings and putting rubber under the seats seems the most effective.

The heat gets so bad that one owner went as far as removing both the front and rear seats to line them with Dynamat to reduce the heat.

Dynamat is a form of rubber that doesn’t absorb heat. The owners did remove all the seats, cover the bed with the rubber Dynamat and then installed the seats back.

He noticed that the vehicle would be much more comfortable but only to about 194 degrees Fahrenheit. More than that, and the vehicle would continue to get uncomfortably warm.

Kawasaki is always improving its products which is one reason Kawasaki relocated the engine of the Teryx to the rear.

2. Noise Inside The Cab

This issue seems to be affecting quite a huge number of Teryx owners.

The complaint is that the Kawasaki Teryx cab is very noisy.

Most owners suggest that this is a design flaw on Kawasaki’s part. This might be because other competitors in the UTV market have much quieter models than the Teryx.

The noise gets increasingly louder when the vehicle drives over 15MPH.

Noise May be Coming From:

• The doors
• The drivetrain
• The transmission
• The bevel gear
• The engine

The noise from the Teryx is so loud that you can’t even hold a proper conversation with a person sitting right next to you.

Apart from the general noise that can’t be traced to a single source, other noise complaints were also reported by different owners.

Of all the models, the Teryx 4 seems to be the loudest model.

As you can probably guess, this makes it quite an uncomfortable ride. Other owners noticed that if you aren’t wearing a helmet, the noise can get your ears ringing after the ride.

As with the heat issues on the Kawasaki Teryx, most owners opted to try and resolve the heat issue themselves.

To Reduce the Noise on the Kawasaki Teryx:

• Covering all the plastic in the engine bay and under the bed
• Covering the intake cover
• Placing foam under the seats
• Spraying Lizardskin for insulation and sound reduction

It seems most owners have gotten used to the noise on the Kawasaki Teryx, explaining that the noise is somewhat bearable compared to other UTV’s in the same market.

The thing is, because the Teryx is so open, wind noise is expected in the cabin.

Most owners noticed that the engine noise significantly increases when the Teryx is going down or up steep terrain, such as a hill.

This happens in both old models and newer models. Even though Kawasaki is aware of the issue, they have not improved the noise reduction on the newer Kawasaki Teryx models.

3. Faulty Cooling Fan Sensor Wires

The fan sensor wires on the Kawasaki Teryx have been known to go haywire.

This leads to overheating problems because if the fan malfunctions, the engine cannot be cooled off properly.

This is dangerous because the engine gets really hot on a Teryx.

Without a cooling fan to cool it down, it might end up damaging other parts or, even worse, damage the engine itself.

With this in mind, it is best to keep an eye out for a malfunctioning cooling system on the Teryx.

A Few Things to Check for Cooling Fan Issues:

• Water levels in the radiator
• Plug to the fan
• Fuses
• Fan relay (situated under the driver’s seat)
• Temperature Switch

Upon further investigation, it’s found that the fan relay and temperature switches on most of these UTV’s are quite brittle and break easily. This is yet another design fault on the Kawasaki Teryx.

The fan relay on the Teryx is quite sensitive and goes out after about 3,500 miles on the UTV.

One way to tell if you have a malfunctioning fan relay is to check if the fan stops when the key is off. After a long ride in the heat, when the Teryx comes to a stop and the ignition key is removed, the fan should still be running to dissipate the heat.

If the fan tops as soon as the key is removed, this is a clear indication that there might be something wrong with the fan relay. This symptom might also point to a faulty temperature switch.

If your Teryx is lucky enough to still be under warranty, this issue will be diagnosed and sorted out without any problems.

4. Squealing Drive Belt

Another common issue to most of the Kawasaki Teryx models is the squealing noise coming from the drive belt.

In most cases, this issue can appear after a new belt is installed or seems to appear out of nowhere.

If it’s an installation issue, then it probably means the belt was not adjusted properly when a new one was installed.

On the other hand, if the issue seems to crop up out of nowhere, then it’s properly due to the drivetrain taking on the strain. The noise occurs when idle and when climbing or going down hilly terrain.

Here a Few Signs that you Need a New Drive Belt:

• When too tight, it squeals when you’re at a stop and still in gear.
• When too loose, it will squeal when driving off
• Giving off a burning smell when driving off

When the clutch system on the Teryx is still in good condition, these symptoms point to a bad belt that needs replacement or proper adjusting.

It is reported that the drive belt on the Teryx is quite tight, and the squealing will eventually occur, especially on inclines.

This also happens when the Teryx comes to a sudden stop, and the belt is put under heavy strain when braking at higher RPMs than usual.

Many factors can affect the number of miles you can put on on the Teryx belt before it needs replacing. Under heavier use on uneven terrain, the belt gets wear and tear fairly quickly.

Most owners noticed that the radiator belts on most older Teryx models were quite simple and would need replacements every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.

Kawasaki recommends inspecting and changing your belt about 1,200 miles or 100 miles.

Other Problems To Look Out For On The Kawasaki Teryx

5. No Fuel Gauge

It is not necessarily an issue that will leave this utility vehicle stranded, but this can be inconvenient when you’re used to vehicles with a fuel gauge.

Pre 2019 Kawasaki Teryx does not feature a fuel gauge. This cannot be very pleasant in the sense that you cannot tell how long a drive you’ll need before filling up again.

Other Benefits of a Vehicle Gauge in a Vehicle:

• Calculate fuel consumption in a vehicle
• Calculate distance between fuel refills
• Indication of fuel leaks
• Indication of oil leaks

Without a fuel gauge, the Teryx is vulnerable to many disadvantages. For outdoor enthusiasts, this proves true.

Enjoying the ride might leave them forgetting to fill up and getting stranded in the middle of nowhere without a backup fuel container.

Mechanically inclined owners could solve this by simply installing a third-party fuel gauge kit that works as intended.

These fuel gauge kits aren’t easy to get a hold of and can range between $150 and $250 per kit.

New Kawasaki Teryx models now come equipped with a digital display that includes a speedometer, clock, temperature indicator, and a fuel gauge.

6. Front Brake Pads Don’t Last Long

Generally, on a vehicle of this size, the brake pads get worn out simultaneously.

This means that when changing brake pads, both the front and the rear brake pads should be replaced simultaneously.

This is not entirely the case when it comes to the Kawasaki Teryx. The front brake pads of this UTV are known to get worn out faster than the rear brake pads.

It is suspected that the engine-braking technology feature on the Teryx might be causing this.

The technology mostly controls how the front brakes react, which is suspected to be the source of the problem.

The issue is exacerbated because the Teryx’s brake pedal requires much more pressure to come to a stop. This means you have to put more pressure on the brake pedal to get the vehicle to stop.

If the brake pads on the Teryx exhibit any of these symptoms, then it might be time for a replacement.

Replacement brake pads on the Kawasaki Teryx go between $30 and $110, depending on the quality.

General Pros and Cons for the Kawasaki Teryx:

Pros

The all-new Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000 features a 999cc engine that sees a major upgrade from its predecessor with a 783cc V-twin engine.

This means more power on those rugged and rough terrains that the Teryx is so used to. Power delivery impresses most owners, reporting that the pedals are very responsive and give a much-needed jolt for the Teryx.

The Teryx features one of the best suspensions on the market, allowing for a smoother ride. Stopping is also a breeze on the Teryx’s dual hydraulic discs with twin-piston calipers up front and sealed wet brakes in the rear.

Components on the Teryx are not exposed to the elements, so all that driving in wet conditions is allowed.

The Kawasaki Teryx is simply a marvel for outdoor enthusiasts and trail riders alike.

Cons

• Overheating when running hard
• The noise inside the cab
• Faulty cooling fan sensors
• Squealing radiator belt
• No fuel gauge
• Front brakes don’t last long

What Do the Reviews Say?

“Take heart, off-road fans; small, rugged, go-anywhere vehicles haven’t gone away entirely. They’re just coming from different places.”

We’re talking about Side-by-Sides, of course, and the latest Kawasaki Teryx is ready to hit the trail and show you some ‘good times.’

[Source: MotorWheel.org]

Kawasaki makes trail riding not only affordable for the masses but also makes it very comfortable with the inclusion of electronic power steering on even its base machines.

“Hunters and those who just love the look of a camouflaged off-road machine will appreciate the very popular Realtree Xtra camo on the Kawasaki Teryx.”

[Source: UTVDriver.com]

What’s The Resale Value On The Kawasaki Teryx

NB: The above prices vary according to the mileage of the bike and location.

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ⓘ  The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.