2003 Kawasaki Ninja Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 900miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and steering (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 900 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling3 60%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Steering1 20%
- Body and structure1 20%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “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 milesSteering: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10018664, filed 2003-05Body and structure: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10090467, filed 2004-09, 88 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 88 and 2,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 02V324000Dec 6, 2002Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulatorCovers: Kawasaki Ninja 2001–2003
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.
Recall details for the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249813Jan 25, 2024Body and structure. Service Information about a shipping bracket attaching the motorcycle to the crate can cause damage to the motorcycle fuel tank if removed.
Other model years of the Kawasaki Ninja
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 1,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 5 | 900 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 7 | 8,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 8 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Kawasaki Ninja model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 900 miles and the middle half falls between 88 and 2,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.