2002 Kawasaki NINJA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
1,772 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data updated: . 2 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
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Structure: 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 | 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: 2; 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 (2). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
2003: 1; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator leads the component reports. 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 10049387 · 2003-12-08 (December 8, 2003)
FOR 4600 MILES OT THE 5500 MILES MY KAWASAKI ZX12R HAS SUCKED SAND THROUGH THE ENGINE. I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT IT WHEN I WENT TO DO SOME UPGRADES TO MY BIKE AT 3475 MILES. I WENT AHEAD AND FINSHED MY UPGRADES AND DID NOT RIDE THE BIKE UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY DID A COMPRESSION TEST AND A LEAK DOWN TEST AND DETERMINED FROM THAT THAT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND NO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. IN ALL MY YEARS OF WORKING ON ENGINES, THE ONLY WAY I COULD TELL IF SAND HAD DONE DAMAGE WAS TO LOOK IN SIDE THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME PER THE KAWASAK…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,475 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068576 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED, MOTORCYCLE CONTINUED TO LEAK OIL. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED, HOWEVER LESS THAN A MONTH LATER, HE CHECKED THE CONNECTOR AND FOUND OIL IN IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED, HOWEVER TO THIS DAY, THE CONNECTOR IS STILL LEAKING OIL. THE CONSUMER EVEN TRIED TO USE SILICON SEALANT WHICH WAS ADVISED BY ANOTHER DEALER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10068576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074109 · 2004-05-17 (May 17, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN THE FRONT FORKS DISENGAGED. *LA THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT OF THE MECHANISM WHICH SECURED THE FRONT FORKS TO THE VEHICLE. (MODEL ZX900) *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 68 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074109 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.
02V324000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 2002-12-06 (December 6, 2002)
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.
Consequence: THIS CAN CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A LOSS OF TRACTION FOR BRAKING OR CORNERING, AND CAN LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SEAL THE ALTERNATOR LEAD WIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN BEGIN DECEMBER 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
3 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 | 2014 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2100.0%ODI 11096435 · 4 miON 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 | 1100.0%ODI 11456492Kawasaki 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 1100.0%ODI 10776426 · 13,000 miWHILE 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… | 150.0%ODI 11099460 · 3 miISSUES 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… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | Too few reports for a range | 3,475 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10049387 · 3,475 miFOR 4600 MILES OT THE 5500 MILES MY KAWASAKI ZX12R HAS SUCKED SAND THROUGH THE ENGINE. I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT IT WHEN I WENT TO DO SOME UPGRADES TO MY BIKE AT 3475 MILES. I WENT AHEAD AND FINSHED MY UPGRADES AND DID NOT RIDE THE BIKE UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY DID A COMPRESSION TEST AND A LEAK DOWN TEST AND DETERMINED FROM THAT THAT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND NO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. IN ALL MY YEARS OF WORKING ON ENGINES, THE ONLY WAY I COULD TELL IF SAND HAD DONE DAMAGE WAS TO LOOK IN SIDE THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME PER THE KAWASAK… |
| Structure | Too few reports for a range | 68 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10074109 · 68 miCONSUMER WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN THE FRONT FORKS DISENGAGED. *LA THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT OF THE MECHANISM WHICH SECURED THE FRONT FORKS TO THE VEHICLE. (MODEL ZX900) *SC *JB |
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.
2020: 0 complaints · 2021: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 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 | Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | Engine And Engine Cooling | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | — | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0 | — | 0 |
| Structure | 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.