1995-2021 · 15 model years
Owners have filed 42 complaints about the Kawasaki Ninja across 15 model years, and it has 8 recalls. The 2001 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (7), while 2005, 2014, 2021 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling, followed by the transmission & drivetrain.
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Ninja H2 SX, Ninja H2 SXSE, and 2019-2020 Ninja H2 SXSE+ motorcycles. In the event of a gear misengagement the engine electronic control unit (ECU) programming doesn't have the capability to...
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE (ZXT02BJ) motorcycles. The pin for the center stand spring may have been improperly welded, and, as a result, the pin may shift or fall off resulting in the spring...
On certain 2000 zx1200-a1/a1-l, 2001 zx1200-a2/a2-l, and 2002-2003 zx1200-b1/b1-l motorcycles, oil leaking from the alternator lead electrical connector can be deposited onto the rear tire.
Vehicle description: motorcycles. The fuel gauge and low fuel warning system may not provide accurate indication of low fuel levels.
Vehicle description: motorcycles. A leaking vent pipe in the fuel tank can allow fuel to drain onto the ground.
Vehicle description: motorcycles. The back torque limiter in the clutch could malfunction and allow the clutch to slip excessively, or not re-engage after a shift.
The tools may come out of the tool kit bag while riding, fall into the drive train area and possibly lodge in one of the moving parts.
The drive chains have been improperly heat-treated during the manufacturing process. Exposure to corrosive conditions can cause the chain side plates to crack and ultimately fail.
Kawasaki used the clutch springs from the 300 ninja model. The clutch pull rod was machined to long which leads to clutch slipping and premature wear. Clutch could go out while on freeway which could cause accidents or worse. Kawasaki has been aware of these issues and offers replacement parts we must pay for along with installation of these parts.
The contact owns a 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400. The contact stated while riding at various speeds, the motorcycle would wobble while slowing down. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The motorcycle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 200.
Issues shifting... Im suspecting its the brake in oil causing this because at least 15 times up until my first oil change you would be shifting gears and the gear wouldn't fully engage unexpectedly causing the bike to rapidly slow down with cars behind me having to slam on brakes. And also at least once a day when attempting to down shift the shiftier will feel solid as a rock like its in first gear and then you'll try again and then is goes into gear fine. Also on several occasions when trying to start bike...
ill turn ignition on, then half click shiftier up to get it in neutral and with the shift indicator saying its in neutral I'll hit the start button and the bike will ride the starter causing the bike to leap forward like its still in gear. Ive contacted kawasaki and was tiold to take it to the dealer, I told them that ive already done that and was told they didn't find an issue and ahvent heard a response from kawasaki since
On my way home from the dealer it popped out of gear and acted like it missed a gear twice. Have had it about 20 days now and its missed out popped out of gear at least 20 or 25 times now. This shouldn't be happening on a new bike
While driving highway speeds 100 km/hr or so - noticed a sudden loss of all power on one of the busiest highways in canada this is not a good thing to happen.... Managed to safely navigate to the inside shoulder/divider to oncoming traffic from the fast express lanes without getting rear ended by several cars and trucks traveling at a much higher rate of speed. Upon getting off the road and onto the shoulder I noticed a hole punched through the top of my engine case...Also not a good thing to happen.... Upon...
further investigations a bearing broke off inside the motor and caused catastrophic failure and mass mayhem inside the engine, it destroyed everything internally. Luckily this never caused me to crash or the wheels/chain lock-up - this could have been easily a very dangerous situation resulting in loss of life. Needless to say the dealership maintains that this was my fault and I should have heard or felt the bearing initially fall/break free inside the motor, while it was causing carnage to everything else (loud exhaust, helmet on, highway traffic, 3 other bikes riding beside/in front of me...) So yeah I guess I should be able to hear everything around me while traveling at a high rate of speed. Best part about it, less than 30 days outside of the factory warranty period - go figures.
Frame cracking in the exact same spot several other people are reporting same crack in frame right side of frame directly under front portion of the frame pad
Across every model year, owners report problems with the engine & cooling (10), transmission & drivetrain (7), fuel system (6) most often.
NHTSA lists 8 recalls across all Kawasaki Ninja model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data
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