NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Kawasaki EX300 Recalls & Complaints

The 2013 Kawasaki EX300 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 14 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kawasaki dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Kawasaki EX300. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2013 Kawasaki EX300 owner complaints

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kawasaki EX300, describing incidents dated May 19, 2012 to October 24, 2013.

Most-cited components

Engine 8 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints
Power Train 4 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint

Of the 14 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 14 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10553928 · Filed November 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KAWASAKI NINJA EX300ADFL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND DECELERATING TO 35 MPH, THE HANDLE BARS WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE…
ODI #10533126 · Filed August 1, 2013
PULLING IN THE CLUTCH CAUSES THE RPMS TO DROP BELOW 1000 RPM CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DIE OR STALL. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. IT CAN OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW OR IT CAN BE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I'VE TRIED TO INCREASE IDLE SPEED TO 2000 RPM, MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS 1300, WHICH DID NOT…
ODI #10524834 · Filed July 15, 2013
PURCHASED MY NINJA 300 3/25/13. SIGNS OF FIRST WOBBLE DUE TO POOR HEAD BEARING WAS ON 4/10/13. THAT'S ONLY 15 CALENDAR DAYS! MY NINJA 300 WOBBLES FROM DECEL FROM 50MPH TO 35MPH. THE WOBBLE IS SO BAD, I CAN'T REALLY RIDE THE BIKE ANYMORE UNTIL I GET IT REPLACED, AND KAWASAKI WON'T HONOR A HEAD…

Read all 14 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Kawasaki EX300 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE13-023: Motorcycle stalling
Closed September 20, 2013
- Recall 13V-328

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Loss of ABS Function may Allow Wheel Lock up

NHTSA #13V310000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported July 11, 2013 · Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

Potentially affected: 1,083 vehicles

Owners notified August 5, 2013 · Vehicles built August 16, 2012 – April 2, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Kawasaki Motors Corp. is recalling certain model year 2013 EX300BDFAL motorcycles manufactured August 16, 2012, through April 2, 2013. Due to a manufacturing error, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) may malfunction and lose anti-lock functionality.

Safety consequence

The anti-lock function may not perform properly allowing for wheel lock up and skidding, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Kawasaki will notify owners and dealers will replace the affected ABS pumps with a new assembly. The recall began on August 5, 2013. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2013 Kawasaki EX300. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

14 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Kawasaki EX300.

Suspension

ODI #10553928

Incident: October 24, 2013 · Filed: November 26, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KAWASAKI NINJA EX300ADFL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND DECELERATING TO 35 MPH, THE HANDLE BARS WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.

Engine

ODI #10533126

Incident: July 11, 2013 · Filed: August 1, 2013

PULLING IN THE CLUTCH CAUSES THE RPMS TO DROP BELOW 1000 RPM CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DIE OR STALL. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. IT CAN OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW OR IT CAN BE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I'VE TRIED TO INCREASE IDLE SPEED TO 2000 RPM, MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS 1300, WHICH DID NOT HELP. I WOULD ESTIMATE IT HAS OCCURRED 50+ TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW ON JUNE 28, 2013. *TR

Steering

ODI #10524834

Incident: April 10, 2013 · Filed: July 15, 2013

PURCHASED MY NINJA 300 3/25/13. SIGNS OF FIRST WOBBLE DUE TO POOR HEAD BEARING WAS ON 4/10/13. THAT'S ONLY 15 CALENDAR DAYS! MY NINJA 300 WOBBLES FROM DECEL FROM 50MPH TO 35MPH. THE WOBBLE IS SO BAD, I CAN'T REALLY RIDE THE BIKE ANYMORE UNTIL I GET IT REPLACED, AND KAWASAKI WON'T HONOR A HEAD BEARING REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WOULD SIMPLY REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME STOCK POOR QUALITY PART RESULTING IN ANOTHER HEAD BEARING FAILURE AFTER 600-1000 MILES. THIS ISSUE HAS BECOME VERY FRUSTRATING TO ME BECAUSE I NOW HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A PART ON A BRAND NEW BIKE STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND FOR THE CUSTOMERS PAYING OUT OF POCKET, NEED TO BE REFUNDED THE PRICE OF THE PART AND LABOR DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT / CHOICE OF POOR QUALITY BEARING. *TR

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10524290

Incident: May 19, 2012 · Filed: July 11, 2013

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW NINJA300 FOR MY WIFE, WITH NO PROBLEMS RIDING IT HOME. THE NEXT TIME OUT, WHICH WAS A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. I WARMED UP THE BIKE AS I USUALLY DO. RODE JUST DOWN THE STREET, WHILE IN 4TH GEAR I PULLED IN THE CLUTCH TO DOWN SHIFT AND THE BIKE JUST DIED. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, SO I INCREASED THE ENGINE IDLE A BIT THINKING THIS WOULD HELP. THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. SO I DID SOME READING ON FORUMS AND FOUND THIS IS COMMON. SO AGAIN DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AND DEFINITELY HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT OF THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN BUT AFTER REALIZING HOW THIS MAY BE A POTENTIAL DISASTER, I'M HESITANT TO LET MY WIFE RIDE IT KNOWING SHE MAY BE AT RISK AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED, ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS UNTIL KAWASAKI CAN REALIZE THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS. *TR

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10524022

Incident: June 8, 2013 · Filed: July 9, 2013

AFTER PARKING MY MOTORCYCLE IN THE SUN FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS I RETURNED AND STARTED IT UP. EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. I ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 15 MPH AND THEN AS I PREPARED TO COME TO A STOP I STARTED BRAKING AND PULLED IN THE CLUTCH. THE ENGINE RPM'S DROPPED LOWER THAN THE IDLE SPEED AND THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE BIKE WAS STILL MOVING. I COASTED TO A STOP. I PLACED THE BIKE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE MOTOR. IT STARTED UP FINE AND I CONTINUED ON TO AN INTERSECTION WHERE I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A U-TURN. THERE THE BIKE STALLED ON ME AGAIN WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING THE U-TURN AS SOON AS I PULLED THE CLUTCH IN. I BARELY ESCAPED BEING REAR ENDED BY A SUV THAT WAS ALSO MAKING THE U-TURN AND THAT DID NOT EXPECT ME TO COME TO SUDDEN STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE MEANWHILE I HAD TWO OTHER VEHICLES STUCK BEHIND ME BLOCKING THE INTERSECTION FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT. AFTER ABOUT 2 OR 3 MILES OF CONSTANT MOVEMENT DID THE ISSUE GO AWAY. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN AND ALWAYS AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE HAS SAT IN THE SUN FOR SEVERAL HOURS. IT NEVER OCCURS IN THE MORNING ON A COLD START AND WHEN IT DOES OCCUR IT GOES AWAY AFTER A COUPLE MILES OF RIDING. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10522426

Incident: June 29, 2013 · Filed: June 29, 2013

WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH CLUTCH DISENGAGED ENGINE STALLED AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. LUCKILY NO TRAFFIC WAS BEHIND ME OR I MIGHT HAVE HIT FROM BEHIND. *TR

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10522328

Incident: June 28, 2013 · Filed: June 28, 2013

THIS INCIDENT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE FIRST DAY I HAVE OWNED THE KAWASAKI NINJA 300. I WOULD SLOW DOWN TO A STOP AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. I WOULD THEN PUT IT BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE. IT WOULD HAPPEN A FEW TIMES UNTIL THE MOTOR GETS WARM, THEN IT STOPS STALLING. IT HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 3-7 TIMES WHEN RIDING IT TODAY. THIS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW. *TR

Structure; Engine

ODI #10521959

Incident: January 31, 2013 · Filed: June 26, 2013

WHEN BIKE IS IN THE SUN ALL DAY THE BIKE WILL STALL WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PULLED IN. ALSO LEFT FAIRING POPS OUT CALLED KAWASAKI ABOUT BOTH THINGS AND WAS TOLD WE HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS GO TO THE DEALER SO I WENT TO THE DEALER AND AGAIN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR THE SAFETY OF THE RIDER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling; Structure

ODI #10521599

Crash

Incident: March 17, 2013 · Filed: June 25, 2013

I WAS GOING THROUGH A SLIGHT CURVE, NOT A BIG ONE JUST A NORMAL CURVE GOING ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN THE BIKE SORT OF STALLED SO I WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE CURB INTO WHERE I HIT A TREE. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT SAW E INCIDENT AND FOUND IT VERY STRANGE AS WELL AS I DID. I HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE INTO WHICH I KNOW IT WASN'T MY FAULT I LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE. GOING 20 MILES PER HOUR WITH NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PRETTY STRANGE. *TR

Power Train; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10521588

Incident: June 15, 2013 · Filed: June 24, 2013

PULLED THE CLUTCH IN WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE BIKE STALLED. HAPPENED 8 MORE TIMES GETTING THE BIKE HOME. I HAVE ADJUSTED THE IDLE TO 1500 RPM AND THE BIKE NOW DROPS TO 1100 RPM WHEN CLUTCHING DURING A STOP THEN RECOVERS TO 1500 RPM AFTER STOPPING. DEALER MOUNTAIN MOTORSPORTS CLAIMED THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF IT HAPPENING ON ANY OTHER NINJA 300S. THEY CONTACTED ME BACK STATING THAT THEY HAD CONTACTED KAWASAKI AND KAWASAKI IS AWARE OF IT BUT HAVE NO CURE FOR IT AS OF THIS TIME. THEY CLAIM IT IS AN IDLE STOP PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO A NEW/NEWER RIDER. *TR

Check your 2013 Kawasaki EX300 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kawasaki EX300 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Kawasaki VIN