2025 Kawasaki Ninja Zx-6R Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja Zx-6R, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine2195.5%
- Powertrain (other)14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R ABS KRT Edition suffered a catastrophic engine failure at approximately 2,300 miles, resulting in a physical hole/breach in the engine crankcase and loss of engine oil. The motorcycle is currently at the selling Kawasaki dealer, Motorcycle Mall in [XXX]. This motorcycle is affected by Kawasaki/NHTSA safety recall campaigns involving the #5 crankshaft bushing and crankcase bolt loading, including NHTSA Recall 25V376 and the subsequent related recall 25V798 / Kawasaki MC25-11. Recall 25V376 had reportedly been performed before I purchased the motorcycle new on XXX. The motorcycle was subsequently subjected to the later recall remedy while I owned it. Kawasaki issued these recalls because insufficient oil clearance/excessive loading at the #5 crankshaft bushing could cause crankshaft seizure, engine stalling, and sudden loss of motive power. Despite the recall remedies, my engine suffered catastrophic internal failure and breached the crankcase. I am reporting this because the failure occurred after recall-related repairs and appears potentially related to the same engine/crankshaft defect addressed by the recalls. A sudden engine seizure or catastrophic engine failure on a motorcycle can cause loss of control, crash, serious injury, or death. I request that NHTSA investigate this as a possible post-recall remedy failure and evaluate the effectiveness of the recall repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
GMy name is Duane Willett and I filed a Lemon Law claim Dec 8th and was referred to make a complaint to NHTSA by the Texas DMV.The vehicle is coming up on three months of non use due to the Manufacturer issued stop ride which was issued on two separate occasions. I purchased the 2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R vin number [XXX] brand new with zero miles [XXX] and its been subject to NHTSA's recall campaign number for this issue is 25V376 which the vehicle was not available to operate safely for over 30 days due to the #5 metal crankshaft bushing failure. Kawasaki is advised all owners of these bikes to immediately stop riding their affected 2024 through 2026 Ninja ZX-6Rs until the repairs could be completed. The manufacturers solution was not successful, failures continued and another recall was issued for the same problem. NHTSA's campaign number for this recall is 25V798. Bike was take to Family Powersports and the following are the technicians notes. 25-11 CRANKSHAFT BEARING SEIZURE INSPECTION Description SMC 25-11 CRANKSHAFT BEARING SEIZURE INSPECTION Resolution:E FAILED INSPECTION 3 SUPPOSED TO MEASURE 11. SMM BIKE MEASURED AT 1.7MM CALLED KAWI AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE AND THAT IS A PASS BIKE IS GOOD TO GO Respectfully, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
While riding at normal speed, I heard a loud popping noise from the engine, followed by immediate power loss. The motorcycle shut off without warning and coolant began leaking heavily near the front wheel. There were no warning lights or symptoms beforehand. The bike had fewer than 3,000 miles on it and was well maintained. I had to tow the motorcycle to the dealership, where a teardown revealed catastrophic engine failure—including internal damage to the crankcase, pistons, and transmission holder. The issue was later confirmed to be related to a manufacturer-issued recall, which had never been disclosed to me prior to the failure. Despite the severity of the issue and the recall connection, the dealership was unable to complete the repair for over two months due to parts delays and poor communication. The vehicle was non-operational the entire time. This failure created a serious safety risk and resulted in over $1,900 in financial losses due to towing, alternate transportation, and financing costs.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .