RoadVitals

2024 Kawasaki Ninja Zx-6R

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 25V798000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
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.
18
Latest Mar 5, 2026
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.
2
Latest Nov 18, 2025
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.
1
0 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja Zx-6R, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

  • Engine1684.2%
  • Powertrain (other)210.5%
  • Brakes15.3%

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

2 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
25V798000NHTSA advisory: do not drive

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Nov 18, 2025
19,823 units potentially affected
The defect: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ninja ZX-6R, ZX-6R KRT Edition, ZX-6R KRT 40th Anniversary Edition ABS, ZX-6R ABS, and ZX-6R KRT Edition ABS motorcycles. The motorcycles may lose engine power during operation due to seizure of a metal crankshaft bushing.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Owners are advised not to ride their motorcycles until the repair has been completed. Dealers will re-tighten the metal crankshaft bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2025. Motorcycles in this recall that were previously repaired under recall 25V376 will need to have the new remedy performed, once available. Owners may contact Kawasaki customer service at (855) 878-4217.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.Manufacturer number MC25-11View on NHTSA.gov
25V376000NHTSA advisory: do not drive

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Jul 7, 2025
17,792 units potentially affected
The defect: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Ninja ZX-6R motorcycles. The motorcycles may lose engine power during operation due to seizure of a metal crankshaft bushing.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Owners are advised not to ride their motorcycles until the repair has been completed. The #5 metal crankshaft bushing must be inspected on all eligible units already in operation. If there is no abnormality with or damage to the bushing, the bolts holding the crankshaft together in the crank case must be re-tightened with proper torque. If there is any abnormality with or damage to the bushing, the parts must be replaced and the crankshaft properly tightened, or the engine must be otherwise repaired or replaced. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. This recall was replaced by 25V798.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.Manufacturer number MC25-08View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2026

See attached document for complaint. The undersigned is legal counsel representing XXXXXXXXXXX in the above-mentioned matter. Please be advised that XXXXXXXXXX purchased a new Kawasaki 2024 motorcycle model ZX636JRFBN on May 9, 2024 with total purchase price of $13,981.92. On or about April of 2025, XXXXXXXXXXX received a recall notice with follow up notice in June of 2025 NHTSA Recall No. 25V376 “Crankshaft Bearing Seizure” causing the engine to potentially “lose engine power unexpectedly due to a seizure of the #5 crankshaft bearing” that may lead to an increased risk of a crash. Given the nature of the recall, the notice is marked with a “DO NOT RIDE” advisory until the repair is made and that the customer is to contact a dealer for such repair. Sometime on or about late August of 2025, the motorcycle was inspected at a Kawasaki dealership in an effort to address the recall. This was the earliest that the dealership could address the recall nearly three months after getting the “DO NOT RIDE” notice. The mechanic who examined the motorcycle indicated that it did not appear that the bike had the defect. In November of 2025, an additional recall notice “Crankshaft Bushing Seizure” was issued under Recall # 25V798 since the notice acknowledges that a prior repair on the vehicle may not have addressed the defect. A second letter was issued in November of 2025 under the same recall notice indicating the parts needed for the repair are not available. Finally, another notice was issued under the same recall, 25V798. Again a “DO NOT RIDE” warning is issued on this notice. The letter advises that the “method used to torque the crankcase bolts will be different than the one used in the prior recall “and that the recall applies to “vehicles already remedied under recall campaign MC25-08 (NHSTA Recall #25V376). Once again there are instructions to contact a dealer for repairs. It is presumed that parts are now available to attempt another repair. Due to the critical safety issue relating to the recalls, the unreasonabl

NHTSA ID
11722245
Incident
Jan 20, 2026
Filed Jan 6, 2026

I need help dealing with Kawasaki, how am I supposed to take my bike into the shop to get the recall checked when there is a do not ride recall and it’s winter where I live on 30 degree roads and the shop is 40 minutes away. Is Kawasaki suppose to pay for the transport of my bike to Purcellville.

NHTSA ID
11709006
Incident
Jan 6, 2026
Engine
Filed Dec 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V376000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and 25V798000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the motorcycle backfired. The local Oasis Outdoors - Powersports dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they did not repair Kawasaki motorcycles. The contact stated that the dealer was a Kawasaki dealer. The contact stated that the nearest Kawasaki dealer was 100 miles away. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11702943
Incident
Oct 27, 2025
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 20, 2025

Recall was issued for crankshaft bearing failure and recall was performed and completed. Kawasaki performed the inspection and repair, however kawasaki had failed to adequately fix the issue causing prolonged headaches and paying for something that is unsafe to opperate. All kawasaki is telling people is dont ride but not providing an adequate fix to make the bike safe again or theyre also refusing to buy the bikes back.

NHTSA ID
11700482
Incident
Nov 19, 2025
Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Motorcycle. The contact stated that the motorcycle was making an abnormal sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received a notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V376000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the bearing on the crankshaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and extended the warranty, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

NHTSA ID
11699340
Incident
Jun 27, 2025
Mileage
4,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Sep 22, 2025
Crash reported1 death reported

Unknown. Fatal motorcycle accident. Based on the police report, one witness said he blew a tire and all witnesses state that he and the bike went airborn. The motorcycle was part of the group of ZX6R's recalled by Kawasaki though its since been salvaged. The officer at the scene confirmed the bikes tire was intact so there's some suspicion that something else happened such as other parts coming off of the bike or the wheel smoking such as if it had locked up.

NHTSA ID
11689033
Incident
Mar 15, 2025
Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V376000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted, inspected the vehicle, and informed the contact that the bearing for the crankshaft was damaged. The dealer had taken the engine out but had not repaired the vehicle. The motorcycle had not been returned. The dealer kept the motorcycle for 11 days, even though the recall repair stated that the repair should take approximately 11 hours. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11675679
Incident
Jul 12, 2025
Mileage
10,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2025

A recall has been issued and the motorcycle deemed unsafe to ride. My local dealership has been told to expect at minimum 3 weeks to receive the kit required to conduct the inspection. This issue has been so widespread that the wait time will be substantial. Even then, there will be a substantial loss of resale value as well as risk of further malfunctions after having a local mechanic disassemble and reassemble the engine.

NHTSA ID
11670799
Incident
Jul 2, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

MC25-12

ENGINE

2024 ~ 2025 ZX636J/K OIL & FILTER CHANGE (Factory Authorized Repair). This bulletin only applies to motorcycles that were eligible for recall MC25-08 and not repaired. Owners that did not have recall repairs completed under recall MC25-08 require an oil change under recall MC25-11.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki Ninja Zx-6R by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026110
2025232056.2
2024Viewing182055.1
2023100
2022100
2019100
2015100
2014100
2013800
2012210
2011110
2010010
2009510

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.