2001 Kawasaki Ninja

Routine

Owners filed 7 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train2
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber1
000
Structure › Frame and Members1
000
Steering1
000
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator02V324000
Filed Dec 6, 20029,787 vehiclesKawasaki Motors Corp.

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.

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

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 6, 2004GA

A HAIR LINE CRACK (LATERALLY) ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME OF MY 2001 KAWASAKI ZX9R. CONCERNED BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUE, POSSIBLY CAN CAUSE FRAME FAILURE AND ACCIDENT.*AK

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Aug 4, 20038,000 milesMA

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. *AK

Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber
Filed Mar 6, 2003MO

THE MOTORCYCLE LEAKED OIL OUT OF THE SHOCKS.*JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 29, 2002VA

LEFT SIDE SHIFTER PEG BRACKET BROKE WHILE BACKING MOTORCYCLE OUT OF DRIVEWAY, MOTORCYCLE WAS TOTALED, DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Power Train
Filed Oct 3, 2001IL

CONSUMER STATES THE SPEEDOMETER IS OFF APPROXIMATELY 10%, THIS CAUSES CONSUMER NOT TO KNOW THE ACTUAL SPEED THAT IS BEING DRIVEN, AND THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO HELP.*YH

Power Train
Filed Sep 12, 2001IL

THE SPEEDOMETER IS INACCURATE UP TO ABOUT 10% AT 70 MPH, CONSUMER STATES THIS CAUSES HIM NOT TO KNOW THE ACTUAL SPEED, ALSO THE ODOMETER IS ACCRUING MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE THAT ARE NOT ACTUALLY BEING DRIVEN.*JB

Steering
Filed Sep 6, 2001MD

HANDLEBARD WOULD NOT STRAITEN OUT, CAUSING ME TO LAY THE BIKE DOWN, DAMAGING THE GAS TANK, HANDLEBARS. NOTICED THE DISCONNECTED SPEEDOMETER CABLE AND SCRATCH EVIDENCE OF WHERE IT SNAGGED THE STEERING FORK.

7 of 7 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20211000Routine
20200100Do not drive
20191100Do not drive
20182200Do not drive
20141000Routine
20051000Routine
20047000Routine
20035100Routine
20023100Routine
2001 — this page7100Routine
20008300Routine
19992100Routine
19982000Routine
19962000Routine
19950200Routine

Compare every Ninja year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 6, 2002. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.