RoadVitals

2003 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.
5
Latest Sep 5, 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.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja, most frequently naming the engine, body & structure and electrical 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

  • Engine342.9%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%
  • Steering114.3%

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 Sep 5, 2004

LEFT HAND SIDE FRONT NOISE ON ZX-636 RR NINJA KAWASAKI, DEVELOPED 4-DIRECTIONAL CRACK ORIGINATING FROM SCREW ( ONE OF THE 6 SCREWS ON FRONT NOSE)!!..VEHICLE IS 2003 YEAR MODEL 636 ZXRR, AND PURCHASED ON JUNE 17TH 2004.. THE VEHICLE HAS UNDER 100 MILES SO FAR,TOTALLY GARAGED. AND NO MISUSE/MISHANDLING WHATSOEVER!!!. SEE THE NATURE OF THE CRACK, A MAJOR ACCIDENT POTENTIAL, ESP FACIAL INJURY TO MOTORCYCLIST EXISTS.. DEALER INFORMED ON PHONE ON SAT SEPT 4TH 2004, WHO ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT, WHICH I SHALL DO ASDAP..HOWEVER, WANTED TO PUT THIS MATTER ON RECORDS PLEASE. THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA ID
10090467
Incident
Sep 4, 2004
Mileage
88 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 29, 2003

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER 2003. HE WAS WARNED NOT TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE THE MUFFLER WOULD FALL OFF. CONSUMER HAD BEEN WAITING MORE THAN 90 DAYS FOR REPLACEMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10052056
Engine
Filed Nov 3, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH MUFFLER FELL OFF WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND SPRAINED HIS ANKLE. A WEEK LATER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE MUFFLER BRACKETS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10046230
Incident
Sep 20, 2003
Mileage
2,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 14, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

2003 KAWASKI EX500-D10---I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND AS I WAS DOWN SHIFTING THE FRONT WHEEL WENT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHEN THE HANDLE BARS BROKE OFF IN MY HANDS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TURN AND I RAN INTO THE DITCH AND WAS THROWN FROM THE BIKE AND BROKE MY WRIST. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECTED MOTORCYCLE PART[ THIN HANDLE BARS ] THAT MY BODY WEIGHT COULD MAKE THEM BREAK WE HAVE FROM THE ER TO NIGHT THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHER ACCIDENTS LIKE MINE CAUSED BY THE NINJA BIKES. THAT IS A DIFFIDENT DESIGN DEFECT. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10018664
Incident
May 13, 2003
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 21, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLE'S SPEED WILL START DECEASING, UNTIL VEHICLE LOSSES ALL POWER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL EXIST. TS RADIATOR OVERFLOWED. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A REMEDY. VEHICLE WAS ALSO JUMPING OUT OF 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. MAJOR SERVICE REVEALED ENGINE WAS THROWING OIL. 2 BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED. *TT

NHTSA ID
10004211
Incident
Sep 1, 2002
Mileage
900 mi

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—
2003Viewing510—
2002310—
2001710—
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.