Kawasaki Ninja Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Kawasaki Ninja (2000–2004) that have at least 5 complaints. 2000 has the most, with 8. Across all years, the part named most often is fuel system (5 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Ninja model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 1,000 | 0 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 5 | 900 | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 7 | 8,000 | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 8 | — | 3 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Fuel system5 19%
- Engine cooling5 19%
- Body and structure4 15%
- Vehicle speed control3 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain3 11%
- Electrical system3 11%
- Suspension2 7.4%
- Steering2 7.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2004: “Frame cracking in the exact same spot several other people are reporting same crack in frame right side of frame directly under front portion of the frame pad”
NHTSA complaint #10693047, filed 2015-03, 8,700 miles2003: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10004211, filed 2003-01, 900 miles2001: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10030786, filed 2003-08, 8,000 milesOther Kawasaki models
195 complaintsKawasaki Kawasaki
69 complaintsKawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
55 complaintsKawasaki Vulcan
48 complaintsKawasaki Ninja 300
42 complaintsKawasaki Concours 14
34 complaintsKawasaki Vulcan 1500
18 complaintsKawasaki KL650E
18 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology