Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,215,138 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 1,426 complaints for KAWASAKI
KAWASAKI
VULCAN 900
(2009) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 30, 2009
Incident date: May 22, 2009
AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK ON MY 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN 500 IT QUITS RUNNING AFTER 20 TO 60 MILES. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. SINCE THE LAST TIME I HAVE BEEN RUNNING WITH THE FUEL VALVE ON RESERVE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM. ALSO MY SISTER IN LAW AND A FRIEND HAS HAD THE SAME WITH THEIR 2008 VULCAN 500'S. *TR
Incident date: Jul 1, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI VERSYS MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE TECH INTERNATIONAL VALVE STEM AND REPLACED THE TIRE. THERE WERE PREVIOUS TIRE FAILURES ON THE FRONT TIRES ON TWO OCCASIONS ALSO CAUSED BY THE VALVE STEMS. THE CONTACT OBSERVED CRACKS IN THE T... Read more
Incident date: Aug 12, 2009
THE IDLE SHAFT LEVER IN MY 2001 KAWASAKI KLR650 HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN INTO 2 PIECES. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN UPGRADING THE PART. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
KAWASAKI
NINJA 250R
(2008) — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Aug 10, 2009
Incident date: Aug 8, 2009
2009 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R AFTER A PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN (~4 IN.) WATER WAS FOUND IN THE GAS TANK OF THE MOTORCYCLE. AFTER INSPECTION BY A KAWASAKI MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEALS FOR THE CAP WERE INTACT. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF RAIN AND THE INADEQUATE SIZE OF DRAINAGE HOLES ON THE CAP, WATER POOLED IN THE INDENTATIONS OF THE CAP CAUSING THE WATER TO DRAIN THROUGH THE KEY SLOT DIRECT... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2009
ON THE BASIS OF ANECDOTAL INFORMATION I REPLACED THE STOCK BALANCER CHAIN TENSIONER ON MY 2005 KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE. THESE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS IN THIS AREA, AND SURE ENOUGH THE SPRING THAT IS TO TENSION THE BALANCE CHAIN AS IT WEARS WAS BROKEN AND INOPERATIVE. THIS MEANT THAT IF I HAD NOT REPLACED THE TENSIONER ADJUSTER AND SPRING, THE CHAIN THAT RUNS THE BALANCER WOULD HAVE ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2009
2006 KAWASAKI KLR 650 BALANCER TENSIONER SPRING FAILURE. SYMPTOMS LOUD ENGINE NOISE AND POOR ENGINE OPERATION. THE FAILURE WAS CAUGHT IN TIME BEFORE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE COULD TAKE PLACE. I PURCHASED A BALANCER LEVER UPGRADE KIT FROM EAGLE MANUFACTURING OF CALIFORNIA. THE COST OF THIS KIT WAS APPROXIMATELY $140.00. I ALSO PURCHASED A MOTORCYCLE JACK TO ACCOMPLISH THE REPAIR. MY LABO... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2009
KAWASAKI ZX10R,2005. THE FRAME/AROUND MOTOR MOUNTS ARE CRACKED AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM W/ THE 04 THROUGH 06. APPEARS TO FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Incident date: Jun 29, 2009
MY HUSBAND WAS RIDING OUR KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE ON A DIRT ROAD, WHEN HE ROUNDED A CORNER,HE SAW A LARGE PINE TREE BLOCKING THE ENTIRE ROADWAY.HE PRESSED ON THE REAR BRAKES, BUT THERE WAS NONE. HE HAD THREE CHOICES, HIT THE PINE TREE, HIT THE ROCK WALL TO HIS LEFT OR RIDE IT OUT DOWN A HILL AND THROUGH A PINE THICKET. HE TOOK THE ONE CHOICE GIVEN THE TERRIAN WHERE HE THOUGHT HE COULD SAFELY... Read more
Incident date: Jun 29, 2009
MY HUSBAND WAS RIDING OUR KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE ON A DIRT ROAD, WHEN HE ROUNDED A CORNER,HE SAW A LARGE PINE TREE BLOCKING THE ENTIRE ROADWAY.HE PRESSED ON THE REAR BRAKES, BUT THERE WAS NONE. HE HAD THREE CHOICES, HIT THE PINE TREE, HIT THE ROCK WALL TO HIS LEFT OR RIDE IT OUT DOWN A HILL AND THROUGH A PINE THICKET. HE TOOK THE ONE CHOICE GIVEN THE TERRIAN WHERE HE THOUGHT HE COULD SAFELY... Read more
Incident date: Jul 10, 2009
HEADLIGHT LAMP FAILURE HEADLIGHT LAMP WAS REPLACED AT 4800 MILES THE SECOND (NEW) HEADLAMP HAS NOW FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 500 MILES IGNITION STARTER SWITCH CONTACTS CORROSION, FAILED TO TURN OVER ENGINE. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS MOTORCYCLE MODEL HAS A SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS PARTICULAR MOTORCYCLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTIO... Read more
KAWASAKI
NINJA 250R
(2008) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 10, 2009
Incident date: Jun 10, 2009
THIS AFFECTS 2008/2009 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R MOTORCYCLES. THE PROBLEM IS THE CDI OVERHEATS AND BEGINS GIVING FALSE TACHOMETER READINGS, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE EMISSION PROBLEMS. IT MOST OFTEN OCCURS IN TEMPERATURES ABOVE 60 DEGREES. THE MAIN SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THIS BIKE IS MOSTLY RIDDEN BY NEW RIDERS, THEY COULD READ THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER AND ASSUME THEY WERE NOT IN TOP GEAR IN WHICH TH... Read more
Incident date: Jul 4, 2009
LEFT MIRROR ON 2009 KAWASAKI VERSYS STARTED SPINNING WILDLY AND PROMPTLY BROKE OFF AT INTERSTATE SPEED (70MPH ON I 64). CAUGHT THE MIRROR AS IT SNAPPED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. HAD I NOT BEEN RIDING FOR YEARS I MUST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE LAID THE BIKE DOWN. PLEASE HAVE KAWASAKI ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. A NEW RIDER MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR
Incident date: Feb 15, 2009
THE PROBLEM: LEFT MIRROR ON THE KAWASAKI VERSYS MOTORCYCLE WILL NOT HOLD ITS POSITION. FREQUENCY: THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IT EFFECTS MY MOTORCYCLE ABOUT EVERY 4 RIDES. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A NORMAL FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE. THIS ISSUE RENDERS THE MIRROR USELESS AND A MAJOR DISTRACTION. WHY: DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE MIRROR ON THE BIKE AND THE VIBRATION OF THE MOTOR ON THE... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2009
2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WARP. *TR
Incident date: May 23, 2009
THE 2008 KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE OIL DRAIN PLUG SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CHANGED TO A LOW-PROFILE DRAIN PLUG. WITH ITS CURRENT HEIGHT, IT PROTRUDES BELOW THE SKID PLATE AND IS PRONE TO DAMAGE. ADDITIONALLY THE SKID PLATE IS MADE OF FLIMSY PLASTIC AND DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR THE ENGINE. WHILE TRAIL RIDING THIS NEW DUAL-SPORT MOTORCYCLE WITH ONLY 1400 MILES ON IT, I RODE OVER ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2009
2005 KAWASAKI VOYAGER 1500 ORIGINAL OWNER 9,200 MILES WELL MAINTAINED OWNER 70 YEARS OF AGE. SIDE STAND CAME DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL IN TRAFFIC. IT I WERE MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THIS OCCURRED, MOTORCYCLE WOULD HAVE FLIPPED OVER. THE HOLE IN THE METAL THAT HOLDS THIS SIDE STAND IN PLACE BECAME REAMED OUT IN ONLY 9,200 MILES CAUSING THE SPRING TO FALL OFF AND THE SIDE ST... Read more
Incident date: Jun 4, 2009
ON MY KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD 1600 '08 I GET A SEVERE WOBBLE IN THE STEERING WHEN DECELERATING WITH A VERY LIGHT GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS. I JUST BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY LOOKED AT A FEW THINGS AND TELL ME IT IS NORMAL. I HAVE WENT ONTO SEVERAL WEBSITE LOOKING FOR NOMAD STEERING WOBBLE AND TO MY SURPRISE MOST HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND ARE BEING TOLD IT IS NORMAL. THIS I AM SURE HAS RESULTE... Read more
Incident date: Jun 9, 2009
IDLER SHAFT LEVER BROKE ON A 1999 KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE LEAVING METAL PIECES IN THE ENGINE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 5,953 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME THE DEFECT WAS FOUND. IDLER SHAFT SPRING WAS INTACT BUT STRETCHED AND NO LONGER APPLIED TENSION TO THE IDLER SHAFT LEVER. *TR
Incident date: Jun 5, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KAWASAKI ZX10 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MIRRORS DO NOT ADJUST WIDE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT REAR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75 AND CURRENT ... Read more
Incident date: May 2, 2009
I TOOK MY BIKE IN BECAUSE OF A LOUD TICK AND A SMALL OIL LEAK ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER BUYING IT NEW. THE SHOT WORKED ON IT AND TIGHTENED ALL OF THE BOLTS. MY BIKE STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM THE VALVE GASKET SO I TOOK IT IN LAST WEEK. NOW 1 WEEK LATER, IT IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE HEAD GASKET. ITS A HUGE PAIN HAVING TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP EVERY WEEK. *TR
Incident date: May 1, 2009
MOTORCYCLE DEFECT: I OWN A 2007 KAWASAKI ZX-10R. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AFTER FEW MILES RIDING START TO FEEL SPONGY AND LACK OF STOPPING PERFORMANCE. IN DECELERATIONS FROM HIGH SPEED IS NECESSARY EXAGGERATE FORCE WHEN APPLY BRAKES AND NOTABLE MORE DISTANCE REQUIRED TO A FULL STOP. IS IT AN A NORMAL SITUATION IN A HIGH PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE. THE DEALER DENIED TO MAKE A REPAIR OR IMPROVEMENT UNDER W... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2009
KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE CHAIN TENSIONER COUNTER BALANCER AND RETAINER SPRING BROKEN AND MISSING. THE BROKEN PIECES CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE INCLUDING ENGINE SEIZURE WHILE IN OPERATION. REPLACED THE PARTS FROM AFTERMARKET SUPPLIER. *TR
Incident date: Mar 15, 2009
ALL RUBBER GROMMETS AND PROTECTIVE BOOTS ARE DRY ROTTING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE BROUGHT PROBLEM TO DEALERS ATTENTIONS AND HE IS WILLING TO REPLACE ALL THE PARTS AS LONG AS I PAY FOR THEM. *TR
Incident date: Mar 8, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 KAWASAKI ZG1000A10 MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE HAS AVON ROAD WRITER TIRES, SIZE 150/80R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES WAS CRACKING. HE TOOK THE TIRES BACK TO THE STORE AND THEY ARE ORDERING NEW TIRES TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED ONES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
KAWASAKI
VULCAN 2000
(2007) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 19, 2009
Incident date: Mar 10, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 KAWASAKI VULCAN 2000 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT IN 2008 PERTAINING TO A GRINDING NOISE HE HEARD WHILE DRIVING. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN SPRAY THAT WAS NEEDED IN ORDER TO BREAK IN THE BELTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE BELTS SPRAYED WITH THE UNKN... Read more
Crash
1 injured
KAWASAKI
VULCAN 2000
(2007) — STEERING
Mar 19, 2009
Incident date: Mar 10, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 KAWASAKI VULCAN 2000 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT IN 2008 PERTAINING TO A GRINDING NOISE HE HEARD WHILE DRIVING. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN SPRAY THAT WAS NEEDED IN ORDER TO BREAK IN THE BELTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE BELTS SPRAYED WITH THE UNKN... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Feb 9, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KL650E MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V059000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) AND CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF REMOVING THE PAINT FROM THE MUFFLER MOUNT TABS AND REPLACING THE MOUNT BOLTS,... Read more
Incident date: Mar 5, 2009
MY HUSBAND, AN EXPERIENCED RIDER, WAS RIDDING HOME FROM WORK ON OUR 2007 KAWASAKI NINJA EX 250. AS HE STARTED UP OUR DRIVEWAY THE THROTTLE STUCK RESULTING IN HIS CRASHING THE BIKE AND BREAKING HIS ANKLE. THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AT LEAST 2 OTHER TIMES, AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE BREAK IN PERIOD. *TR
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KAWASAKI EN500CLTD MOTORCYCLE. BY FEDERAL REGULATION, THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE REARVIEW MIRRORS THAT THE OPERATOR CAN SAFELY UTILIZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIRRORS ARE TOO LOW AND NARROW FOR HIM TO PROPERLY SEE THE OBJECTS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE COULD ONLY SEE HIS SHOULDERS IN THE REARVIEW MIRRORS AND NOT THE TRAFFIC IN THE REAR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED TH... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KLR650. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V059000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE BOLTS COULD LOOSEN COMPLETELY AND THE MUFFLER COULD POSSIBLY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A ... Read more
KAWASAKI
CONCOURS 14
(2008) — STEERING
Feb 26, 2009
Incident date: Feb 26, 2009
I HAVE A 2009 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 WITH 3000 MILES ON THE OD. WHILE RIDING AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE STEERING STOPPED AT ABOUT 1/3 THE NORMAL RANGE OF MOTION AND WOULD NOT GO ANY FARTHER. I NARROWLY AVOIDED A CRASH BECAUSE I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT APPROX 20 MPH AND HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO MANEUVER AND REGAIN CONTROL. I PARKED THE BIKE AND INSPECTED THE AREA AROUND THE STEERING STEM. I DI... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2009
I HAVE A 2002 KAWASAKI KLR 650 WITH 6053 MILES I AM TRYING TO SELL IT BUT NO ONE WANTS IT WITH OUT THE BALANCER UPGRADE AKA DOOHICKEY. I DID MINE TODAY AND FOUND THE SPRING BROKEN. THE TAIL END WAS MISSING. I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS BAD PART INC. THE BALANCER ITSELF. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE THE BROKEN SPRING DID BUT THE BIKE STILL RUNS, AND WITH THE UPGRADE FROM... Read more
Incident date: Feb 12, 2009
I HAVE A 2002 KAWASAKI KLR 650 WITH 6053 MILES I AM TRYING TO SELL IT BUT NO ONE WANTS IT WITH OUT THE BALANCER UPGRADE AKA DOOHICKEY. I DID MINE TODAY AND FOUND THE SPRING BROKEN. THE TAIL END WAS MISSING. I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS BAD PART INC. THE BALANCER ITSELF. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE THE BROKEN SPRING DID BUT THE BIKE STILL RUNS, AND WITH THE UPGRADE FROM... Read more
KAWASAKI
VN900 CUSTOM
(2008) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 11, 2009
Incident date: Sep 1, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CUSTOM 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AND DECELERATES ON ITS OWN NORMALLY. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WHILE IDLING. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST CRASHED SEVERAL TIMES. HE SWERVED UNTIL HE WAS ABLE TO REACH THE TURN OFF SWITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE D... Read more
Incident date: Nov 10, 2008
MOTORCYCLE RANDOMLY SWERVES TOWARDS LEFT, UNDER INTERSTATE DRIVING CONDITIONS (55 - 65 MPH), ON DAYS WITH NO SIDE WIND OR CROSS WIND. I CALLED AND CHECKED KNOWN DEFECTS WITH MANUFACTURER & DEALER - NONE REPORTED. DEALER (SUNRISE CYCLE NORFOLK VA) CHECKED BIKE - FOUND REAR AXLE MISALIGNED. DEALER CORRECTED ALIGNMENT - BIKE STILL HAS ISSUE. DEALER STATES I CAN TRADE MOTORCYCLE (STILL NEW) FOR A $4,2... Read more
Incident date: Sep 4, 2008
THIS IS THE SECOND CLUTCH TO GO BAD THE FIRST AT 2,800 MILES AND THE SECOND TO GO AT 10,000 MILES GOING OUT WILL DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCKUP WILL I WAS RIDING IT AND ALMOST HAVING A ACCIDENT. *TR
Incident date: Jul 27, 2008
COMPLAINT IS WITH A PERSONAL WATER CRAFT. ALMOST EVERYTIME YOU TRY TO START THE WATER CRAFT, THE STARTER JUST SPINS, LIKE IT IS NOT ENGAGING WITH THE ENGINE. AFTER 3-4 TRIES, IT FINALLY CATCHES AND THEN STARTS. IF THE WATER CRAFT DOES NOT START, IT WILL LEAVE ME STRANDED ON THE WATER. WATER CRAFT IS A 2007 KAWASAKI JT1500 ALSO KNOWN AS A 250X. KAWASAKI REFUSES TO PAY FOR THIS ESTIMATED $1,000... Read more
KAWASAKI
CONCOURS 14
(2008) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Jan 9, 2009
Incident date: Aug 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. THE VEHICLE WAS A KYMCO, MODEL NUMBER PEOPLES250. WHILE SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE, THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED. THE BRAKE IS CALLED THE FORK, WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO THE HANDLE BAR. THE CONTACT FELL OFF THE VEHICLE AND INJURED HIS ANKLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S ... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Dec 31, 2008
MY MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TO LOSE BATTERY POWER IN MID-DECEMBER 2008 AND I THOUGHT THE BATTERY MAY BE FAILING. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED EASILY FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF. ON NEW YEAR'S DAY I WENT OUT TO RIDE AND THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED SLUGGISHLY. I GOT TO THE FIRST STOPPING POINT AND IT FAILED TO START. I RECEIVED A JUMP START AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE MOTORCYCLE HOME. I RES... Read more
Incident date: Nov 27, 2008
THE SPEEDOMETER IS CORRECT TO 15MPH BUT AFTER THAT IT IS OFF BY 6MPH, IF YOU ARE RIDING AT 30MPH IT WILL SHOW (24MPH) IF YOU ARE RIDING AT 80MPH IT WILL SHOW (73MPH). THE WARRANTY RAN OUT IN AUG. I FOUND THIS OUT WHEN I WAS FOLLOWING MY WIFE BACK TO THE HOUSE THANKS GIVING DAY. I COULD GET A TICKET IN SOME AREAS FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR
KAWASAKI
VULCAN CLASSIC
(1997) — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Dec 1, 2008
Incident date: Nov 29, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH IN POSITION SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, IS INOPERABLE, AND IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CON... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2005
THE MOTORCYCLE NEUTRAL LIGHT INDICATOR WAS ON, THINKING IT WAS IN NEURAL, I GOT OFF THE BIKE AND IT WAS STILL IN GEAR. THE SECOND WAS IT WOULD POP IN AND OUT OF GEAR. I WENT TO DOWNSHIFT AND IT WENT FROM 5TH GEAR TO SECOND GEAR THROWING ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS HIT BY A TRUCK CRUSHING MY RIGHT LEG RESULTING IN BELOW KNEE AMPUTATION, BROKEN PELVIS, BROKEN WRIST AND FRACTURING 3 VERTEBRAE. *T... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Oct 15, 2008
VALVE COVER GASKET AND O-RING FOR THE SENSOR ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL. OIL LEAKS DAILY. VALVE COVER GASKET AND O-RING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. OIL LEAK CAN GREASE THE TIRES OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
Incident date: Aug 1, 2008
VALVE COVER GASKET AND O-RING FOR THE SENSOR ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL. OIL LEAKS DAILY. VALVE COVER GASKET AND O-RING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. OIL LEAK CAN GREASE THE TIRES OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
Incident date: Sep 1, 2008
VALVE COVER GASKET AND O-RING FOR THE SENSOR ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL. OIL LEAKS DAILY. VALVE COVER GASKET AND O-RING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. OIL LEAK CAN GREASE THE TIRES OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. KAWASAKI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE NEW PARTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. DEFECTS... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2008
WELD NEAR THE KICKSTAND BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME CAUSING FRAME TO BEND NEAR BOLT AREA. VITAL PART OF FRAME, NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF CONTINUED TO RIDE MOTORCYCLE. NOTIFIED DEALER FOR REPAIR, THEY CONTACT KAWASAKI WHO SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME. DEALER UNAWARE THAT FRAME WAS BACK ORDERED TILL POSSIBLY END OF NOVEMBER OR LONGER. NOW KAWASAKI HAS ASKED THE DEALER IF I WOULD CONSIDER LE... Read more
Incident date: Oct 21, 2008
WELD NEAR THE KICKSTAND BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME CAUSING FRAME TO BEND NEAR BOLT AREA. VITAL PART OF FRAME, NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF CONTINUED TO RIDE MOTORCYCLE. NOTIFIED DEALER FOR REPAIR, THEY CONTACT KAWASAKI WHO SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME. DEALER UNAWARE THAT FRAME WAS BACK ORDERED TILL POSSIBLY END OF NOVEMBER OR LONGER. NOW KAWASAKI HAS ASKED THE DEALER IF I WOULD CONSIDER LE... Read more
Incident date: Nov 6, 2008
I HAVE A ZX-6R NINJA 2007, AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET. IT LEAKS OIL CONSISTENTLY. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE 07 AND 08 NINJA ZX-6R.. THIS IS A HAZARD BECAUSE IF OIL REACHES OUR BACK TIRE WE WILL END UP SLIDING WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM, PROPERTY DAMAGE AND IN SEVER CASES DEATH. THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE PROBLEM THAT CAN BE CORRECTED, IF NOT... Read more
Incident date: Nov 4, 2008
I OWN A 2007 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX6-R. I HAVE RECENTLY DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK AS HAVE MANY OF MY FELLOW RIDERS. IT IS THE SAME ISSUE WITH ALL OF THE BIKES. VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS AND ISSUE WITH CAMS AND TAPPETS. IF OIL WAS TO COME OUT AT A WRONG ANGLE I COULD GET THE BACK TIRE SATURATED AND CAUSE A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION FOR MYSELF AS WELL AS ANYONE IN THE AREA AROUND ME. THE MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAS 2052 ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2008
UPON DETAILED INTERNAL INSPECTION OF ENGINE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BALANCER CHAIN TENSIONING ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. EVIDENCE SHOWED THAT THE SPRING (POORLY MADE) HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME. IT WAS ALSO EVIDENT THAT HAD THE SPRING NOT BROKEN, THE VERY POORLY MADE TENSIONER QUADRANT WOULD HAVE BROKEN INSTEAD LEADING TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE AND MOST LIKELY A CRASH AT THE TIME OF E... Read more