The 2003 Kawasaki Ninja has 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (3 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints5filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
NHTSA recall 02V324000 · Dec 6, 2002 · 9,787 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
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
3
1
0
1
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
Power train
1
0
0
0
—
Steering
1
1
0
1
—
Structure Body
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 4, 2004 · 88 milesStructure › Body 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
Dec 29, 2003Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe 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
Sep 20, 2003 · 2,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe 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
May 13, 2003 · crash · 1 injurySteering 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
Sep 1, 2002 · 900 milesElectrical system 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.