Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja peaked in 2018, with 2 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model yearDo not drive
2018 Kawasaki Ninja
Motorcycle, gasoline, built in Thailand. Owner complaints on file from May 16, 2018 to Jun 4, 2018.
Recall campaigns covering this model year21,189 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Close to the median 2018 motorcycle
Severity index0.02018 motorcycles average 6.0
First 24 months2Complaints in its first two years
Components
100% of complaints about the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja name powertrain
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
2 recall campaigns cover the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V-676 | Nov 2, 2020 | Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.ADo not drive | Electrical system | 799 | Software update |
| 18V-580 | Aug 30, 2018 | Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A | Structure | 390 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Jun 4, 2018Failure Apr 27, 20183 milesPAW PAW, MIEngine, Power train
ISSUES SHIFTING... IM SUSPECTING ITS THE BRAKE IN OIL CAUSING THIS BECAUSE AT LEAST 15 TIMES UP UNTIL MY FIRST OIL CHANGE YOU WOULD BE SHIFTING GEARS AND THE GEAR WOULDN'T FULLY ENGAGE UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE BIKE TO RAPIDLY SLOW DOWN WITH CARS BEHIND ME HAVING TO SLAM ON BRAKES. AND ALSO AT LEAST ONCE A DAY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DOWN SHIFT THE SHIFTIER WILL FEEL SOLID AS A ROCK LIKE ITS IN FIRST GEAR AND THEN YOU'LL TRY AGAIN AND THEN IS GOES INTO GEAR FINE. ALSO ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN TRYING TO START BIKE ILL TURN IGNITION ON, THEN HALF CLICK SHIFTIER UP TO GET IT IN NEUTRAL AND WITH THE SHIFT INDICATOR SAYING ITS IN NEUTRAL I'LL HIT THE START BUTTON AND THE BIKE WILL RIDE THE STARTER CAUSING THE BIKE TO LEAP FORWARD LIKE ITS STILL IN GEAR. IVE CONTACTED KAWASAKI AND WAS TIOLD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, I TOLD THEM THAT IVE ALREADY DONE THAT AND WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T FIND AN ISSUE AND AHVENT HEARD A RESPONSE FROM KAWASAKI SINCE
NHTSA complaint 11099460 - Filed May 16, 2018Failure Apr 25, 20184 milesPAW PAW, MIPower train
ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER IT POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND ACTED LIKE IT MISSED A GEAR TWICE. HAVE HAD IT ABOUT 20 DAYS NOW AND ITS MISSED OUT POPPED OUT OF GEAR AT LEAST 20 OR 25 TIMES NOW. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ON A NEW BIKE
NHTSA complaint 11096435
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
4 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- MC24-01 Jan 25, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Service Information about a shipping bracket attaching the motorcycle to the crate can cause damage to the motorcycle fuel tank if removed. - MC20-05 Oct 13, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Kawasaki has required a service activation in KVCS for selected 2021 models before delivery to the customer. The main purpose of this is to record the "service activation" date of the vehicle. - 99931-1586-01 Dec 14, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Assembly and Preparation manual - Not to be released to Public - 99931-1574-02 Dec 14, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Assembly and Preparation manual - Not to be released to Public
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.