Model year record

2002 Kawasaki Ninja recalls & problems

The 2002 Kawasaki Ninja has 1 safety recall and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (1 complaint).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints3filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemDec 6, 2002

Alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 02V3240009,787 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CAN CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A LOSS OF TRACTION FOR BRAKING OR CORNERING, AND CAN LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator	1	0	0	—
Structure	1	1	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

StructureCrash1 injury
CONSUMER WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN THE FRONT FORKS DISENGAGED. *LA THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT OF THE MECHANISM WHICH SECURED THE FRONT FORKS TO THE VEHICLE. (MODEL ZX900) *SC *JB
Sep 27, 2003 · 68 miles
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED, MOTORCYCLE CONTINUED TO LEAK OIL. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED, HOWEVER LESS THAN A MONTH LATER, HE CHECKED THE CONNECTOR AND FOUND OIL IN IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED, HOWEVER TO THIS DAY, THE CONNECTOR IS STILL LEAKING OIL. THE CONSUMER EVEN TRIED TO USE SILICON SEALANT WHICH WAS ADVISED BY ANOTHER DEALER. *JB
Feb 11, 2003
Engine and engine cooling
FOR 4600 MILES OT THE 5500 MILES MY KAWASAKI ZX12R HAS SUCKED SAND THROUGH THE ENGINE. I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT IT WHEN I WENT TO DO SOME UPGRADES TO MY BIKE AT 3475 MILES. I WENT AHEAD AND FINSHED MY UPGRADES AND DID NOT RIDE THE BIKE UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY DID A COMPRESSION TEST AND A LEAK DOWN TEST AND DETERMINED FROM THAT THAT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND NO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. IN ALL MY YEARS OF WORKING ON ENGINES, THE ONLY WAY I COULD TELL IF SAND HAD DONE DAMAGE WAS TO LOOK IN SIDE THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME PER THE KAWASAKI FACTORY REP. THAT MY UPGRADES CAN VOID MY WARRANTY. I ROAD THE BIKE FOR ABOUT 800 MILES TO SEE IF THE UPGRADES HELPED AND NO SAND GOT IN. SO I PUT…
Jun 6, 2003 · 3,475 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.