2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 3 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 2 Ninja ZX-10R model years with reports.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringFeb 23, 2016
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ninja ZX-10R and Ninja ZX-10R ABS motorcycles, models ZX1000RGFAL, ZX1000RGFL, ZX1000SGFAL and ZX1000SGFL, manufactured October 28, 2015, to January 18, 2016. In the affected motorcycles, the steering damper bracket mounting bolts may break due to being over tightened.
If the steering damper bracket mounting bolts break, the steering damper bracket would detach and could interfere with steering the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering damper bracket mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 29, 2016. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. Kawasaki's number for this recall is MC16-03.
Campaign 16V102000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
3 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jun 28, 2023
2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R, broken gear in transmission. Motorcycle is available for inspection. There has already been a safety recall for this very problem. When researching my VIN through Kawasaki, it states that it has been resolved. I am the third owner of this motorcycle. This could have resulted in serious injury or even death. The motorcycle has not been taken for inspection of malfunctioning part, it is not driveable and requires trailering. There was no warning of transmission failure.
Power train, May 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V089000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO XTREME MACHINES (700 NJ-33, MILLSTONE, NJ 08535, (732) 786-9696), BUT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Power train, Mar 15, 2018
MY MOTORCYCLE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE "RECALL KIT" PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURE. PER THE RECALL, SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE TO BE REPLACED WITH GEARS FABRICATED USING A STRONGER MATERIAL. THIS RECALL REPAIR PROCESS WAS COMPLETED, AND UPON DELIVERY OF THE REPAIRED VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATE SUBSEQUENT TEST RIDE ON A STRAIGHT LINE CITY STREET BY THE OWNER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIR WAS FOULED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT PROPERLY LEAVING THE TRANSMISSION "IN BETWEEN" GEARS, RESULTING IN A FALSE NEUTRAL THROUGH GEARS 2, 3, 4, AND 5 (6TH GEAR WAS NOT TESTED). VIDEO OF THE TEST RIDE IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.