Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Kawasaki NINJA problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

7 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

1,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 7 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation114.3%
Fuel system concerns114.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
1
Structure:Body
1
Structure:Frame And Members
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage1
Structure:Body1
Structure:Frame And Members1
Unknown Or Other1
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables1

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Vehicle Speed Control:Cables: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004
4
2005
1
2007
1
2015
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20044
20051
20071
20151

2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2015: 1

Pattern summary

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10072117 · 2004-04-29 (April 29, 2004)

LETTER REGARDING A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE DIAPHRAGM IN THE FUEL TAP. *PH THE BIKE DID NOT RUN DUE TO TRASH GETTING INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BIKE ALSO STALLED WHEN IT REACHED A SPEED OF 53 MPH. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO GAS IN THE FUEL LINE, FUEL FILTER OR THE CARBURETORS. THE CONSUMER FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REMOVING THE DIAPHRAGM AND REPLACING IT WITH A SOLID RUBBER SEAL AND RE-TIGHTENED THE FOUR BOLTS THAT HELD THE FUEL TAP TOGETHER. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 2,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072117 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

7 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

71.4%Usable mileage5 / 7 records
85.7%Valid incident date6 / 7 records
100.0%Valid filing date7 / 7 records
85.7%Ordered incident and filing dates6 / 7 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.

Component complaint heatmap
Component20142018201920202021
Power Train
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

2100.0%
ODI 11096435 · 4 mi

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

Look up ODI 11096435 at NHTSA ↗

1100.0%
ODI 11456492

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.

Look up ODI 11456492 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Structure:Body
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
1100.0%
ODI 10776426 · 13,000 mi

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 BRO…

Look up ODI 10776426 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 11099460 · 3 mi

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…

Look up ODI 11099460 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

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
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Exterior Lighting:Brake LightsToo few reports for a range1,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10098838 · 1,000 mi

1) NORMAL USE (VEHICLE IS A BOAT TRAILER) LOAD RITE DOUBLE PWC TRAILER 2)A) TAIL LIGHTS FAILED UNDER NORMAL USE WATER CAUSED CORROSION OF CONTACTS FROM NORMAL LAUNCHING AND RETRIEVAL. B) GALVANIZED BRACKET HOLDING STEEL FENDER IN PLACE CRACKED AT BEND, ENSUING VIBRATION BROKE SIDE SAFETY LIGHT. POTENTIAL FOR HIGHWAY LOSS AND DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM FLYING DEBRIS. C) GALVANIZED BRACKET HOLDING TAIL LIGHT BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF TAILLIGHT. 3) ALL DEFECTS CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEIR OCCURRENCE IN THE FIRST SEASON OF OWNERSHIP, WITH…

Look up ODI 10098838 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor SystemToo few reports for a range2,750 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10072117 · 2,750 mi

LETTER REGARDING A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE DIAPHRAGM IN THE FUEL TAP. *PH THE BIKE DID NOT RUN DUE TO TRASH GETTING INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BIKE ALSO STALLED WHEN IT REACHED A SPEED OF 53 MPH. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO GAS IN THE FUEL LINE, FUEL FILTER OR THE CARBURETORS. THE CONSUMER FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REMOVING THE DIAPHRAGM AND REPLACING IT WITH A SOLID RUBBER SEAL AND RE-TIGHTENED THE FOUR BOLTS THAT HELD THE FUEL TAP TOGETHER. *JB

Look up ODI 10072117 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection SystemToo few reports for a range42 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10102385 · 42 mi

ISSUE: A FAILURE OF THE WATER TEMPERATURE SENSOR CAUSES A SURGE IN POWER. DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: WAS MOVING A 2004 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6RR IN A PARKING LOT, COLD WEATHER (35 DEGREES). AT A CONSTANT SPEED, THE BIKE SURGED IN RPM, CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO BREAK TRACTION, CRASHING THE BIKE. NO ONE ELSE WAS INVOLVED. AS PER THE DEBUG STEPS IN THE SERVICE MANUAL, THE EFI COMPUTER HELD A SERVICE CODE FOR A WATER TEMPERATURE SENSOR FAILURE IN THE HISTORY (BIKE HAS 1200 MILES ON IT). AS PER THE KAWASAKI FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL, TH…

Look up ODI 10102385 at NHTSA ↗

Structure:BodyToo few reports for a range8,700 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10693047 · 8,700 mi

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

Look up ODI 10693047 at NHTSA ↗

Structure:Frame And MembersToo few reports for a range1,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10098838 · 1,000 mi

1) NORMAL USE (VEHICLE IS A BOAT TRAILER) LOAD RITE DOUBLE PWC TRAILER 2)A) TAIL LIGHTS FAILED UNDER NORMAL USE WATER CAUSED CORROSION OF CONTACTS FROM NORMAL LAUNCHING AND RETRIEVAL. B) GALVANIZED BRACKET HOLDING STEEL FENDER IN PLACE CRACKED AT BEND, ENSUING VIBRATION BROKE SIDE SAFETY LIGHT. POTENTIAL FOR HIGHWAY LOSS AND DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM FLYING DEBRIS. C) GALVANIZED BRACKET HOLDING TAIL LIGHT BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF TAILLIGHT. 3) ALL DEFECTS CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEIR OCCURRENCE IN THE FIRST SEASON OF OWNERSHIP, WITH…

Look up ODI 10098838 at NHTSA ↗

Unknown Or OtherToo few reports for a range8,700 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10693047 · 8,700 mi

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

Look up ODI 10693047 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed Control:CablesToo few reports for a range368 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10116171 · 368 mi

ONLY ON LEFT HAND TURNS WOULD THE TROTTLE STICK. ACCELATED VERY FAST. THE DEALER HAS ONLY LOOKED AT IT, AND CAN'T GET IT TO STICK.

Look up ODI 10116171 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

1 reports2024-112026-10

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
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2020: 0 complaints · 2021: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2020000
2021111
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2020000
2021100

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
ComponentExterior Lighting:Brake LightsFuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor SystemFuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection SystemFuel System, Gasoline:StorageStructure:BodyStructure:Frame And MembersUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control:Cables
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights—0000
1
ODI 10098838 · 1,000 mi

1) NORMAL USE (VEHICLE IS A BOAT TRAILER) LOAD RITE DOUBLE PWC TRAILER 2)A) TAIL LIGHTS FAILED UNDER NORMAL USE WATER CAUSED CORROSION OF CONTACTS FROM NORMAL LAUNCHING AND RETRIEVAL. B) GALVANIZED BRACKET HOLDING STEEL FENDER IN PLACE CRACKED AT BEND, ENSUING VIBRATION BROKE SIDE SAFETY LIGHT. POTENTIAL FOR HIGHWAY LOSS AND DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM FLYING DEBRIS. C) GALVANIZED BRACKET HOLDING TAIL LIGHT BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF TAILLIGHT. 3) ALL DEFECTS CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEIR OCCURRENCE IN THE FIRST SEASON OF OWNERSHIP, WITH…

Look up ODI 10098838 at NHTSA ↗

00
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System0—000000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System00—00000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage000—0000
Structure:Body0000—0
1
ODI 10693047 · 8,700 mi

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

Look up ODI 10693047 at NHTSA ↗

0
Structure:Frame And Members
1
ODI 10098838 · 1,000 mi

1) NORMAL USE (VEHICLE IS A BOAT TRAILER) LOAD RITE DOUBLE PWC TRAILER 2)A) TAIL LIGHTS FAILED UNDER NORMAL USE WATER CAUSED CORROSION OF CONTACTS FROM NORMAL LAUNCHING AND RETRIEVAL. B) GALVANIZED BRACKET HOLDING STEEL FENDER IN PLACE CRACKED AT BEND, ENSUING VIBRATION BROKE SIDE SAFETY LIGHT. POTENTIAL FOR HIGHWAY LOSS AND DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM FLYING DEBRIS. C) GALVANIZED BRACKET HOLDING TAIL LIGHT BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF TAILLIGHT. 3) ALL DEFECTS CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEIR OCCURRENCE IN THE FIRST SEASON OF OWNERSHIP, WITH…

Look up ODI 10098838 at NHTSA ↗

0000—00
Unknown Or Other0000
1
ODI 10693047 · 8,700 mi

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

Look up ODI 10693047 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables0000000—

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.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 14.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 2,750 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10072117 · 2,750 mi

LETTER REGARDING A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE DIAPHRAGM IN THE FUEL TAP. *PH THE BIKE DID NOT RUN DUE TO TRASH GETTING INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE BIKE ALSO STALLED WHEN IT REACHED A SPEED OF 53 MPH. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO GAS IN THE FUEL LINE, FUEL FILTER OR THE CARBURETORS. THE CONSUMER FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REMOVING THE DIAPHRAGM AND REPLACING IT WITH A SOLID RUBBER SEAL AND RE-TIGHTENED THE FOUR BOLTS THAT HELD THE FUEL TAP TOGETHER. *JB

Look up ODI 10072117 at NHTSA ↗

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