2004 Kawasaki NINJA ZX-10R: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Structure:Body: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 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 (2). 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2012: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10087560 · 2004-08-04 (August 4, 2004)
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING GEARS. *MR IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO THIRD OR SIXTH GEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE CONSUMER FOUND IT HARD TO SHIFT TO THE THIRD GEAR AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT IMMEDIATELY. THIS WAS ONE OF SEVERAL INCIDENTS. (KAWASAKI ZX-10R NINJA) *SC CONSUMER SOLD MOTORCYCLE DUE TO THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED. *MJJ *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10087560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092018 · 2004-09-14 (September 14, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS OPERATING SUBJECT MOTORCYCLE ON AUGUST 28, 2004, LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, HIT A CURB, AND WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN INTO A TREE AND DIED UPON IMPACT. RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V-373000) WAS POSTMARKED (CA) 2 DAYS PRIOR TO DATE OF FATALITY INCIDENT; HOWEVER, RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS NOT DELIVERED TO NEW JERSEY ADDRESS UNTIL AFTER THE INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. SERGEANT DENNIS GORMAN (NJ POLICE DEPARTMENT) FURNISHED COMPLAINT INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMAT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10144495 · 2005-12-05 (December 5, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 6,053 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144495 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461211 · 2012-06-11 (June 11, 2012)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461762 · 2012-06-14 (June 14, 2012)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11101550 · 2018-06-13 (June 13, 2018)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101550 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 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)
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 ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2016 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 3100.0%ODI 11079494MY 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… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10744633 · 30,186 miTL* 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11500953I 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… |
| Structure:Body | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10415150 · 900 miTL* 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 … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Body | Too few reports for a range | 25,000 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10461211 · 18,000 miTL* 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. ODI 10461762 · 32,000 miTL* 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. |
| Structure:Frame And Members | Too few reports for a range | 6,053 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10144495 · 6,053 miDT: 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 |
| Unknown Or Other | Too few reports for a range | 38,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 11101550 · 38,000 miTHE 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 |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
2016: 2 complaints · 2022: 1 complaints
| 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
| 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 | Structure:Body | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | Structure:Frame And Members | Unknown Or Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Body | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.