NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Kawasaki Ninja Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Kawasaki Ninja has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 7 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 2001 Kawasaki Ninja. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2001 Kawasaki Ninja owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Kawasaki Ninja, describing incidents dated August 23, 2001 to October 3, 2004.

Most-cited components

Power Train 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

Together, the 7 complaints on file report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10093690 · Filed October 6, 2004
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
ODI #10030786 · Filed August 4, 2003
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
ODI #10010059 · Filed March 6, 2003
THE MOTORCYCLE LEAKED OIL OUT OF THE SHOCKS.*JB

Read all 7 complaints

KAWASAKI/OIL LEAKAGE

NHTSA #02V324000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice

Reported December 6, 2002 · KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 9,787 vehicles

Kawasaki campaign MC02-011 · Owners notified December 16, 2002 · Vehicles built December 10, 1999 – November 8, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 Kawasaki Ninja. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Kawasaki Ninja.

Structure

ODI #10093690

Incident: October 3, 2004 · Filed: October 6, 2004

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

ODI #10030786

Incident: July 15, 2003 · Filed: August 4, 2003

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

ODI #10010059

Incident: May 12, 2002 · Filed: March 6, 2003

THE MOTORCYCLE LEAKED OIL OUT OF THE SHOCKS.*JB

Steering

ODI #9003983

11 injuries

Incident: August 23, 2001 · Filed: September 6, 2001

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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #8003099

Incident: January 1, 2002 · Filed: January 29, 2002

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

ODI #563604

Filed: October 3, 2001

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

ODI #563023

Filed: September 12, 2001

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

Other Kawasaki Ninja model years

Check your 2001 Kawasaki Ninja VIN

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

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