U.S. public vehicle records

Kawasaki NINJA ZX-10R recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

12 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

24,093 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 to 2022 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-04 (October 4, 2026). 6 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2008

2009

2010

2011

2016

2022

2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 0; 2016: 1; 2022: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Kawasaki NINJA ZX-10R model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
2004	6	1	Not available
2008	0	1	Not available
2009	0	2	+1
2010	0	1	-1
2011	2	0	-1
2016	3	1	Not available
2022	1	0	Not available

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

04V373000 · Wheels

Reported: 2004-07-22 (July 22, 2004) · Model years: 2004

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FRONT WHEEL MAY CONTAIN A CASTING FLAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A WHEEL FAILURE.

Consequence: THIS WHEEL FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

12V064000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery

Reported: 2012-02-17 (February 17, 2012) · Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010

KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 NINJA ZX-10R, AND 2009-2012 NINJA ZX-6R MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 14, 2007 THROUGH JULY 26, 2011. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR, THE REGULATOR/RECTIFIER MAY INSUFFICIENTLY CHARGE THE BATTERY.

Consequence: IF THE BATTERY DISCHARGES, THE MOTORCYCLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: KAWASAKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 949-770-0400.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

09V063000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Reported: 2009-02-20 (February 20, 2009) · Model years: 2009

KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 950 MY 2009 NINJA ZX10R (ZX1000E9F/E9FA/E9FAL) MOTORCYCLES. THE TIMING INSPECTION CAPS ON THE STARTER CLUTCH COVER MAY COME LOOSE DUE TO IMPROPER TIGHTENING AND FALL OUT, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE REAR TIRE.

Consequence: THIS COULD CREATE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TIMING INSPECTION CAPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

16V102000 · Steering

Reported: 2016-02-23 (February 23, 2016) · Model years: 2016

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ninja ZX-10R and Ninja ZX-10R ABS motorcycles, models ZX1000RGFAL, ZX1000RGFL, ZX1000SGFAL and ZX1000SGFL, manufactured October 28, 2015, to January 18, 2016. In the affected motorcycles, the steering damper bracket mounting bolts may break due to being over tightened.

Consequence: If the steering damper bracket mounting bolts break, the steering damper bracket would detach and could interfere with steering the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering damper bracket mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 29, 2016. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. Kawasaki's number for this recall is MC16-03.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

12 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-04.

50.0%Usable mileage6 / 12 records

100.0%Valid incident date12 / 12 records

100.0%Valid filing date12 / 12 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates12 / 12 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2008	2009	2010	2011	2016	2022
Power Train	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	3100.0% ODI 11079494 MY MOTORCYCLE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE "RECALL KIT" PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURE. PER THE RECALL, SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE TO BE REPLACED WITH GEARS FABRICATED USING A STRONGER MATERIAL. THIS RECALL REPAIR PROCESS WAS COMPLETED, AND UPON DELIVERY OF THE REPAIRED VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATE SUBSEQUENT TEST RIDE ON A STRAIGHT LINE CITY STREET BY THE OWNER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIR WAS FOULED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT PROPERLY LEAVING THE TRANSMISSION "IN BETWEEN" GEARS, RES… Look up ODI 11079494 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10744633 · 30,186 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL. LESS THAN A BLOCK LATER, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,186. Look up ODI 10744633 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11500953 I have been experiencing an abnormal ticking noise coming from the right side of the motor on my motorcycle. I have taken it to the dealership several times, and they, to my frustration tell me that the noise is normal valve train noise. I have been an avid motorcycle enthusiast for all 30 of my adult years. I have no doubt the noise is abnormal as well as increasing in loudness at a substantial rate. I've watched and listened to countless hours of youtube videos as well as read all the comments on every video having to do with cam chain tensio… Look up ODI 11500953 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10415150 · 900 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, DUE TO A POSSIBLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN IT STALLED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER THE CRASH, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POSSIBLY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER … Look up ODI 10415150 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Manual Transmission	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Frame And Members	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine	Too few reports for a range	30,186 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10744633 · 30,186 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL. LESS THAN A BLOCK LATER, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,186. Look up ODI 10744633 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	Too few reports for a range	25,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10461211 · 18,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME DEVELOPED A CRACK ALONG THE WELDS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. Look up ODI 10461211 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10461762 · 32,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX10R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VERY HEAVY VIBRATION IN THE HANDLE BARS. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE MOTORCYCLE TO A DEALER FOR EVALUATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10461762 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	900 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10415150 · 900 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, DUE TO A POSSIBLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN IT STALLED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER THE CRASH, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POSSIBLY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER … Look up ODI 10415150 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Frame And Members	Too few reports for a range	6,053 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10144495 · 6,053 mi DT: THE CONTACT NOTICED THE MAIN FRAME AND SWING ARM CRACKED THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR TIRE WAS TILTED TWO DEGREES TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - NM Look up ODI 10144495 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	38,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11101550 · 38,000 mi THE FRAME HAS CRACKED AT WHERE THE MOTOR MOUNT IS LOCATED,,I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED ..IT FELL OVER ONE NIGHT ..I DON'T HAVE PHOTOS RIGHT NOW Look up ODI 11101550 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2016: 2 complaints · 2022: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2016	0	0	2
2022	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2016	3	0	0
2022	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train	Engine	Structure:Body	Electrical System	Power Train:Manual Transmission	Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System	Structure:Frame And Members	Unknown Or Other
Power Train	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Structure:Body	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Manual Transmission	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Structure:Frame And Members	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Unknown Or Other	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 16.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 15,543 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10415150 · 900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, DUE TO A POSSIBLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN IT STALLED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER THE CRASH, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POSSIBLY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER …

Look up ODI 10415150 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10744633 · 30,186 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL. LESS THAN A BLOCK LATER, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,186.

Look up ODI 10744633 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b