Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Complaints (2025)

23 consumer complaints on file.

#11711424January 16, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am worried about my safety while riding this bike. There has been two different recalls associated with this bike. The first recall my bike passed and was deemed safe to ride. The second recall my bike failed and the dealer was in contact with kawasaki for a week. The dealership is now stating that since so many bikes were being failed, kawasaki had changed the spec numbers for the crank bearing. My bike is now passing the second recall after it already had failed. I do not feel safe getting on this bike. How is the consumer supposed to feel about this?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711417January 16, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This motorcycle has been recalled twice. The first recall my bike passed and was good to go. I received another letter about a 2nd recall. Was told it did not pass recall and is out of spec. I am now being told that my bike is passing kawasaki's new spec numbers for the recall. I do not feel safe riding a bike that was deem unsafe to ride and failing a recall. Now all of the sudden new numbers come up and is just aye okay to ride. How would is the consumer supposed to feel about this? A motorcycle is life or death.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710644January 13, 2026
ENGINE
GMy name is Duane Willett and I filed a Lemon Law claim Dec 8th and was referred to make a complaint to NHTSA by the Texas DMV.The vehicle is coming up on three months of non use due to the Manufacturer issued stop ride which was issued on two separate occasions. I purchased the 2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R vin number [XXX] brand new with zero miles [XXX] and its been subject to NHTSA's recall campaign number for this issue is 25V376 which the vehicle was not available to operate safely for over 30 days due to the #5 metal crankshaft bushing failure. Kawasaki is advised all owners of these bikes to immediately stop riding their affected 2024 through 2026 Ninja ZX-6Rs until the repairs could be completed. The manufacturers solution was not successful, failures continued and another recall was issued for the same problem. NHTSA's campaign number for this recall is 25V798. Bike was take to Family Powersports and the following are the technicians notes. 25-11 CRANKSHAFT BEARING SEIZURE INSPECTION Description SMC 25-11 CRANKSHAFT BEARING SEIZURE INSPECTION Resolution:E FAILED INSPECTION 3 SUPPOSED TO MEASURE 11. SMM BIKE MEASURED AT 1.7MM CALLED KAWI AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE AND THAT IS A PASS BIKE IS GOOD TO GO Respectfully, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708753January 5, 2026
ENGINE
There has been two recalls on my motorcycle. My bike passed the first inspection, i took my bike in two weeks ago for the 2nd inspection, per my Kawaskai dealer my bike did not pass. They informed me that my bike required a new engine. On saturday I call my dealer and was told that Kawasaki re worded the recall fix solution and that my bike passed. My dealer said that the reworded statment makes no sense and that they would not trust the motor on this bike. So if the techs at the dealer are saying that this bike is unsafe to ride why should I just take that this bike is not affected by the recall when I was told it was. I request that Kawaskai replace the engine if they want replace it they can buy the motorcycle back from me for what I owe on it. I will not ride this bike untill the engine is replaces and a notorized letter stating that if I die my wife can sue Kawasaki if related to the recall and they will not dispute the lawsuit.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707475December 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This is a follow-up to my prior complaint regarding my 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (VIN [XXX] ). In December 2025 I received another recall notice for Recall 25V798 stating that the prior recall repair may not have properly addressed the crankshaft bushing defect and again instructing that the motorcycle not be ridden. I attempted to schedule the repair but the dealer stated parts are unavailable with no timeline. The motorcycle remains unsafe and unusable despite prior recall remedy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707424December 29, 2025
ENGINE
Safety recall exists for engine stall risk but manufacturer has not provided parts or remedy for over two months. Motorcycle cannot be used.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705934December 18, 2025
ENGINE
I own a 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The motorcycle is subject to multiple safety recalls related to crankshaft bearing/bushing seizure that can cause sudden engine stall and crash risk. In June 2025, Kawasaki issued Recall 25V376 and instructed owners not to ride the motorcycle until an authorized repair was completed. My motorcycle underwent the recall repair, which resulted in an extended loss of use of approximately two months. In November 2025, Kawasaki issued a second safety recall (25V798) stating that the prior repair may not have properly addressed the defect and again instructed owners not to ride the motorcycle. Kawasaki further stated that parts are not currently available and no repair timeline has been provided. As a result, my motorcycle has now been rendered unsafe and unusable on two separate occasions for the same defect, despite prior recall repair. I am continuing to make payments on a vehicle I am prohibited from operating, with no clear resolution or response from the manufacturer. I am submitting this complaint due to repeated safety-related defects, failed recall remedy, extended loss of use, and lack of manufacturer response.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700538November 20, 2025
ENGINE
Was notified by my local motorcycle store Classic Powersports of Rockwall TX that my motorcycle has been recalled for the second time in less than 3 months for possible engine failure and the manufacture has not remedy. I've requested a buy back of the vehicle to purchase another model and I haven't received no response from the manufacture. I'm making payments on a brand new motorcycle that has possible engine ceasing while riding.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700535November 20, 2025
ENGINE
Was notified by my local motorcycle store Classic Powersports of Rockwall TX that my motorcycle has been recalled for the second time in less than 3 months for possible engine failure and the manufacture has not remedy. I've requested a buy back of the vehicle to purchase another model and I haven't received no response from the manufacture. I'm making payments on a brand new motorcycle that has possible engine ceasing while riding.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670668July 1, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While riding at normal speed, I heard a loud popping noise from the engine, followed by immediate power loss. The motorcycle shut off without warning and coolant began leaking heavily near the front wheel. There were no warning lights or symptoms beforehand. The bike had fewer than 3,000 miles on it and was well maintained. I had to tow the motorcycle to the dealership, where a teardown revealed catastrophic engine failure—including internal damage to the crankcase, pistons, and transmission holder. The issue was later confirmed to be related to a manufacturer-issued recall, which had never been disclosed to me prior to the failure. Despite the severity of the issue and the recall connection, the dealership was unable to complete the repair for over two months due to parts delays and poor communication. The vehicle was non-operational the entire time. This failure created a serious safety risk and resulted in over $1,900 in financial losses due to towing, alternate transportation, and financing costs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670532July 1, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's son owned a 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, he was involved in a collision with two other vehicles; the cause of the collision was still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. The contact was unaware if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the owner's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries as well as a fatality were reported. The contact's son was transported to an area hospital by EMT but was unfortunately pronounced deceased as a result of the accident. Though it was unknown at the time if a specific failure had occurred, upon investigation, the contact concluded that the accident may be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V376000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the accident. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#11670447July 1, 2025
ENGINE
Currently the bike is under a "Do not ride" and is inoperable and will continue to be for an extended period of time for myself and many others, with no compensation or alternative during the downtime. Myself and many other riders are stuck with loan payments and/or insurance payments on a bike that is not even a year old in many cases with no word from the manufacturer other than the recommended fix we will be waiting in queue for. This fix is extremely damaging to our value of the $13000-$14000 many of us paid and it will be worth only a fraction of that to resale from here on. Not to mention the reliability of having our engine opened but local mechanics and serviced by them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670064June 29, 2025
ENGINE
Told my 2025 ninja was unsafe to ride.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669555June 26, 2025
ENGINE
My 2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R was recently included as a part of a federal recall concerning a defective crankshaft bearing. A critical engine component, the failure of which could lead to engine seizure, stalling or loss of power - posing a very serious risk and likelihood of a crash. After learning of this recall, I contacted my authorized dealer who confirmed that my VIN was affected, but advised me to CONTINUE RIDING, until I got a letter which would give more information on getting it repaired. I am currently unable to use the motorcycle as a mode of transportation or recreation, significantly affecting my mobility. Given the nature and severity of this defect, I do not accept any resolution that involves partial disassembly or reconstruction of the engine. That is not what I paid for when buying a new motorcycle. I believe the only fair and reasonable remedies are either: Option A: A full engine replacement with a new factory-built, unblemished engine installed by an authorized dealer, with a full reset of warranty coverage from the date of installation. Option B: A complete refund of the original purchase price of the motorcycle, including all dealer fees and taxes, while allowing me to retain title and possession of the bike given the substantial non-recoverable investment in modifications made in good faith." I have requested they confirm a resolution by July 10th and, according to '49 CFR Part 573', and whereby the NHTSA interprets 'reasonable timeframe' as 60 days, that the remedy is completed by Aug 5th, 25.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669355June 25, 2025
ENGINE
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669353June 25, 2025
ENGINE
Recall due to crankshaft bearing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669333June 25, 2025
ENGINE
2days after I bought this bike Kawasaki issued a stop sale and DNR due to faulty #5 crank bushing, and refused to buy the bike back but instead expected me to sit and pay payments and insurance on a bike that I can’t ride for possibly a year with no fix in mind so I had to trade it in and take a big loss on a brand new bike, kiss off Kawasaki that will be my last purchase from you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669308June 25, 2025
ENGINE
Spent an hour waiting to talk to a Kawasaki rep and was told this about the 24/25 recall. "Currently, the recall affects all bikes. There is no current fix on the way BUT Kawasaki is confident (lol) that one will be on the way soon. Do not ride your zx6r for your own safety, but also because if the mechanical failure happens, your bike will take much much much longer to fix." People are spreading so much BS about this issue and a lot of it comes from being overly hopeful that maybe we all aren't screwed. Well, we are. This fix WILL affect every bike, or at the least every bike will need to be inspected, the recall is still not inbound to dealers, and even when it will be (like many have mentioned) this major repair will be done by some kid who's a technician at your local dealer...that's frightening in it of itself. I'm pissed about all this. I'm pissed I bought the bike 2 months before this, I'm pissed I won't have a rideable bike for maybe 6+ months and MOST OF ALL I'm pissed that this will forever be a huge black eye on my $13000 bike.The 24/25 ZX6R's will go down as the "BAD YEAR DONT BUY" bikes. That's the worst part. Even after the fix these bikes will all be bikes that have been cracked open for inspection/fixes. I've been living in limbo with this for weeks now going between hopeful, trying not to care and being angry that about the situation. People are rightfully extremely disgruntled owners of useless $13000 bikes that we just bought for right now. Riding season isn't year round for a lot of us. Anyway, hope I'm wrong. Hope the kawi rep I talked to is wrong. Hope this ends up being something that only affects 1% of the almost 18,000 25/25 ZX6r bikes even though I think we aren't getting accurate info from that document either.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668770June 23, 2025
ENGINE
My 2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R was recently included as a part of a federal recall concerning a defective crankshaft bearing. A critical engine component, the failure of which could lead to engine seizure, stalling or loss of power - posing a very serious risk and likelihood of a crash. After learning of this recall, I contacted my authorized dealer who confirmed that my VIN was affected, but advised me to CONTINUE RIDING, until I got a letter which would give more information on getting it repaired. I contacted Kawasaki customer care on two separate occasions via their chat option, copies of these interactions is included hereto whereby they proceeded to give conflicting responses that provided little to no information. I have also sent them a letter containing the following: "I am currently unable to use the motorcycle as a mode of transportation or recreation, significantly affecting my mobility. In addition, I have made over $9,000 in aftermarket modifications, which are rendered useless unless I’m willing to endanger my safety by ignoring the recall." and "Given the nature and severity of this defect, I do not accept any resolution that involves partial disassembly or reconstruction of the engine. That is not what I paid for when buying a new motorcycle. I believe the only fair and reasonable remedies are either: Option A: A full engine replacement with a new factory-built, unblemished engine installed by an authorized dealer, with a full reset of warranty coverage from the date of installation. Option B: A complete refund of the original purchase price of the motorcycle, including all dealer fees and taxes, while allowing me to retain title and possession of the bike given the substantial non-recoverable investment in modifications made in good faith." I have requested they confirm a resolution by July 10th and, according to '49 CFR Part 573', and whereby the NHTSA interprets 'reasonable timeframe' as 60 days, that the remedy is completed by Aug 5th, 25.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668245June 20, 2025
ENGINE
Recently purchased a 2025 Kawasaki ninja ZX6R back in April 2025. Been riding and getting use to the bike.(absolutely love it) Got my 1st service done after break-in period just to see rumors of a possible recall on social media a week later. This was late May early June. Today is June 20th and i am just now receiving an Official notice from Kawasaki about the issue that’s been floating around for months. Very disappointed that i can’t ride the Bike and that im still stuck having to pay on the bike even though it’s currently in the DNR stage. Also there is no know possible fix. 1% of the 17.7k units are affected. Which if you do the math that’s roughly around 170-180 bikes. I would feel somewhat better if they could at least narrow it down to the VIN of the bikes that’s truly affected so that the ones who aren’t can enjoy the Bike they purchased. Kawasaki please handle this swiftly
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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