RoadVitals

2008 Kawasaki EX250J8FL

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest May 5, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 8, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2008 Kawasaki EX250J8FL, most frequently naming the brakes and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Engine150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08V158000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Apr 8, 2008
487 units potentially affected
The defect: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 487 MY 2008 EX250J8F AND EX250J8FL MOTORCYCLES. AN ENGINE CRANKCASE VENT HOLE IN THE AIR FILTER BOX MAY BE BLOCKED. IF SO, AIR PRESSURE CAN BUILD UP INSIDE THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER GASKET TO FAIL AND LEAK OIL.
The risk: IF ENOUGH OIL LEAKS FROM THE ENGINE, IT COULD DRIP OR SPRAY ONTO THE REAR TIRE. THIS CAN CREATE THE RISK OF A CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AIR FILTER BOX AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.Manufacturer number MC 08-07View on NHTSA.gov
08V115000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 11, 2008
1,526 units potentially affected
The defect: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2008 EX250J8F AND EX250J8FL MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE MAY BE DAMAGED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF USE. THE BRAKE HOSE TENDS TO DEFLECT FORWARD DURING SUSPENSION TRAVEL. THIS ALLOWS THE BRAKE HOSE TO CONTACT THE EDGE OF THE FRONT FORK OUTER TUBE.
The risk: OVER TIME, THIS CONTACT COULD DAMAGE THE BRAKE HOSE CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND RESULTING IN A LACK OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE. THIS CAN CREATE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE BRACKET. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.Manufacturer number MC 08-06View on NHTSA.gov
08V052000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Feb 5, 2008
532 units potentially affected
The defect: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 532 MY 2008 NINJA EX250J8F AND EX250J8FL MOTORCYCLES. THE TAIL LIGHT BULB MAY PREMATURELY FAIL.
The risk: INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY CREATING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHT BULB FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.Manufacturer number MC 08-01View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesEngine
Filed May 5, 2008

KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. HAS DECIDED THAT TWO DEFECTS WHICH RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN 2008 NINJA 250R MODELS (EX250J8F/L) ON ELIGIBLE UNITS WHEN THE FRONT FORK IS COMPRESSED THE BRAKE HOSE MAY MOVE FORWARD AND COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EDGE OF THE FRONT FORK. THIS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HOSE RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. THEIR RECORDS INDICATE I HAVE PURCHASED ONE OF THESE UNITS. ADDITIONALLY AN ENGINE CRANKCASE VENT HOLE IN THE AIR CLEANER CASE COULD BE BLOCKED BY MATERIAL LEFT DURING THE MOLDING PROCESS. THIS COULD ALLOW AIR PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER GASKET TO BE PUSHED OUT OF PLACE AND LEAK OIL. OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE DURING OPERATION COULD DRIP OR SPRAY ONTO THE REAR TIRE CREATING THE RISK OF A CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 12 2008 TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY (THE DEALERSHIP) HAVE NOT HEARD OF SUCH RECALL AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOTHING BUT A "BULB" THIS IS BEFORE THEY EVEN GOT THE BIKE INSIDE THE SHOP. IN THE END NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT THE RECALL AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL ORDER THE NECESSARY PARTS AND THEY WILL CALL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT'S BEEN ALMOST 2 MONTHS AND HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226758
Incident
Mar 12, 2008