The 2003 Kawasaki Ninja has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 9,787 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
2
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
POWER TRAIN
1
STEERING
1
1crashes1injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
Total complaints7
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Left hand side front noise on zx-636 rr ninja kawasaki, developed 4-directional crack originating from screw ( one of the 6 screws on front nose)!!..vehicle is 2003 year model 636 zxrr, and purchased on june 17th 2004.. The vehicle has under 100 miles so far,totally garaged. And no…”
“While driving 55 mph muffler fell off without warning, causing motorcycle to run off the road. As a result, driver was unconscious and sprained his ankle. A week later, a recall was issued on the muffler brackets.*ak”
“2003 kawaski ex500-d10---I was riding down the road and as I was down shifting the front wheel went on the shoulder of the road when the handle bars broke off in my hands, making it impossible for me to turn and I ran into the ditch and was thrown from the bike and broke my wrist. I believe that…”
“While driving at any speed, vehicle's speed will start deceasing, until vehicle losses all power. The dealership has made several attempts to fix problem, but it still exist. Ts radiator overflowed. Electrical problems. Dealer could not find a remedy. Vehicle was also jumping out of 2nd and 3rd…”
“While driving at any speed, vehicle's speed will start deceasing, until vehicle losses all power. The dealership has made several attempts to fix problem, but it still exist. Ts radiator overflowed. Electrical problems. Dealer could not find a remedy. Vehicle was also jumping out of 2nd and 3rd…”
“While driving at any speed, vehicle's speed will start deceasing, until vehicle losses all power. The dealership has made several attempts to fix problem, but it still exist. Ts radiator overflowed. Electrical problems. Dealer could not find a remedy. Vehicle was also jumping out of 2nd and 3rd…”
“Consumer received a recall notice in october 2003. He was warned not to ride the motorcycle because the muffler would fall off. Consumer had been waiting more than 90 days for replacement. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Kawasaki Ninja as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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