RoadVitals

2001 Kawasaki Ninja

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.
7
Latest Oct 6, 2004
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.
1
Latest Dec 6, 2002
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
11 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Kawasaki Ninja, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), body & structure and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Powertrain (other)228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Steering114.3%
  • Suspension114.3%

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

1 campaign 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
02V324000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Dec 6, 2002
9,787 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CAN CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A LOSS OF TRACTION FOR BRAKING OR CORNERING, AND CAN LEAD TO A CRASH.
The 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.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number MC02-011View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Oct 6, 2004

A HAIR LINE CRACK (LATERALLY) ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME OF MY 2001 KAWASAKI ZX9R. CONCERNED BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUE, POSSIBLY CAN CAUSE FRAME FAILURE AND ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10093690
Incident
Oct 3, 2004
Electrical
Filed Aug 4, 2003

OIL LEAKING OUT OF THE TAIL SECTION OF MY MOTORCYCLE (2001 KAWASAKI ZX-12R) CORRECTED BY DEALER. CONTINUED OIL IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAS CAUSED OVERHEATING AND MELTING OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THERE IS A HOLE BURNT THROUGH THE CONNECTOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10030786
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Mileage
8,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 6, 2003

THE MOTORCYCLE LEAKED OIL OUT OF THE SHOCKS.*JB

NHTSA ID
10010059
Incident
May 12, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 29, 2002

LEFT SIDE SHIFTER PEG BRACKET BROKE WHILE BACKING MOTORCYCLE OUT OF DRIVEWAY, MOTORCYCLE WAS TOTALED, DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003099
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 3, 2001

CONSUMER STATES THE SPEEDOMETER IS OFF APPROXIMATELY 10%, THIS CAUSES CONSUMER NOT TO KNOW THE ACTUAL SPEED THAT IS BEING DRIVEN, AND THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO HELP.*YH

NHTSA ID
563604
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 12, 2001

THE SPEEDOMETER IS INACCURATE UP TO ABOUT 10% AT 70 MPH, CONSUMER STATES THIS CAUSES HIM NOT TO KNOW THE ACTUAL SPEED, ALSO THE ODOMETER IS ACCRUING MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE THAT ARE NOT ACTUALLY BEING DRIVEN.*JB

NHTSA ID
563023
Steering
Filed Sep 6, 2001
11 injuries reported

HANDLEBARD WOULD NOT STRAITEN OUT, CAUSING ME TO LAY THE BIKE DOWN, DAMAGING THE GAS TANK, HANDLEBARS. NOTICED THE DISCONNECTED SPEEDOMETER CABLE AND SCRATCH EVIDENCE OF WHERE IT SNAGGED THE STEERING FORK.

NHTSA ID
9003983
Incident
Aug 23, 2001

Manufacturer communications

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

MC24-01

STRUCTURE

Service Information about a shipping bracket attaching the motorcycle to the crate can cause damage to the motorcycle fuel tank if removed.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021100—
2020010—
2019110—
2018220—
2016000—
2015000—
2014100—
2005100—
2004700—
2003510—
2002310—
2001Viewing710—
2000830—
1999210—
1998200—
1996200—
1995020—

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.