2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 18 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 6 Ninja ZX-6R model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 18

Of the 2024 reports, 1 involved a crash. 1 person died.

Primary concernEngine10 reports · 56% of complaints
Owner complaints18Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship2 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine10
  2. Engine and engine cooling6
  3. Power train2
  4. Other or unspecified2
  5. Service brakes1

Recalls and investigations

  1. Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalDo not drive until repairedNov 18, 2025

    Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ninja ZX-6R, ZX-6R KRT Edition, ZX-6R KRT 40th Anniversary Edition ABS, ZX-6R ABS, and ZX-6R KRT Edition ABS motorcycles. The motorcycles may lose engine power during operation due to seizure of a metal crankshaft bushing.

    An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Owners are advised not to ride their motorcycles until the repair has been completed. Dealers will re-tighten the metal crankshaft bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2025. Motorcycles in this recall that were previously repaired under recall 25V376 will need to have the new remedy performed, once available. Owners may contact Kawasaki customer service at (855) 878-4217.

    Campaign 25V798000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalDo not drive until repairedJun 4, 2025

    Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Ninja ZX-6R motorcycles. The motorcycles may lose engine power during operation due to seizure of a metal crankshaft bushing.

    An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Owners are advised not to ride their motorcycles until the repair has been completed. The #5 metal crankshaft bushing must be inspected on all eligible units already in operation. If there is no abnormality with or damage to the bushing, the bolts holding the crankshaft together in the crank case must be re-tightened with proper torque. If there is any abnormality with or damage to the bushing, the parts must be replaced and the crankshaft properly tightened, or the engine must be otherwise repaired or replaced. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. This recall was replaced by 25V798.

    Campaign 25V376000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling

6 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 5, 2026

    See attached document for complaint. The undersigned is legal counsel representing XXXXXXXXXXX in the above-mentioned matter. Please be advised that XXXXXXXXXX purchased a new Kawasaki 2024 motorcycle model ZX636JRFBN on May 9, 2024 with total purchase price of $13,981.92. On or about April of 2025, XXXXXXXXXXX received a recall notice with follow up notice in June of 2025 NHTSA Recall No. 25V376 “Crankshaft Bearing Seizure” causing the engine to potentially “lose engine power unexpectedly due to a seizure of the #5 crankshaft bearing” that may lead to an increased risk of a crash. Given the nature of the recall, the notice is marked with a “DO NOT RIDE” advisory until the repair is made and that the customer is to contact a dealer for such repair. Sometime on or about late August of 2025, the motorcycle was inspected at a Kawasaki dealership in an effort to address the recall. This was the earliest that the dealership could address the recall nearly three months after getting the “DO NOT RIDE” notice. The mechanic who examined the motorcycle indicated that it did not appear that the bike had the defect. In November of 2025, an additional recall notice “Crankshaft Bushing Seizure” was issued under Recall # 25V798 since the notice acknowledges that a prior repair on the vehicle may not have addressed the defect. A second letter was issued in November of 2025 under the same recall notice indicating the parts needed for the repair are not available. Finally, another notice was issued under the same recall, 25V798. Again a “DO NOT RIDE” warning is issued on this notice. The letter advises that the “method used to torque the crankcase bolts will be different than the one used in the prior recall “and that the recall applies to “vehicles already remedied under recall campaign MC25-08 (NHSTA Recall #25V376). Once again there are instructions to contact a dealer for repairs. It is presumed that parts are now available to attempt another repair. Due to the critical safety issue relating to the recalls, the unreasonable amount of time, seven months since the first notice, XXXXXXXXXXX has not been able to operate his motorcycle. In fact it only has 1000 miles on it because of this inability to safely ride it. Further, now with this additional recall, it is the middle of winter in Upstate New York and my client has missed the motorcycle season rendering the bike useless through this lengthy repair and recall process that is still not remedied. Despite being unable to operate his new motorcycle, he continued to have automatic monthly payments to Kawasaki finance (Synchrony Bank) made of $137.57 per month on a vehicle that he cannot use. An additional $4776.48 remains owing under the finance agreement. Given this unreasonable length of time to remedy the defect under the recall and serious nature of the defect with a “Do Not Ride” warning, we ask that my client be compensated for the monthly payments under his finance agreement that he has incurred thus far since the recall ( $962.00) until which time the bike can be fully assessed and determined safe to ride and if it cannot , in addition the balance of the loan payout ($4776.48) . Should we be unable to reach an amicable solution, we will be prepared to invoke all rights and compensation as provided under the New York State Lemon Law. Please advise as soon as possible to avoid further action. Thank you.

  2. Engine and engine cooling, Dec 4, 2025

    The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V376000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and 25V798000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the motorcycle backfired. The local Oasis Outdoors - Powersports dealer was contacted and informed the contact that they did not repair Kawasaki motorcycles. The contact stated that the dealer was a Kawasaki dealer. The contact stated that the nearest Kawasaki dealer was 100 miles away. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

  3. Engine and engine cooling, Nov 14, 2025

    The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Motorcycle. The contact stated that the motorcycle was making an abnormal sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received a notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V376000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the bearing on the crankshaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and extended the warranty, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

  4. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2025

    The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V376000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted, inspected the vehicle, and informed the contact that the bearing for the crankshaft was damaged. The dealer had taken the engine out but had not repaired the vehicle. The motorcycle had not been returned. The dealer kept the motorcycle for 11 days, even though the recall repair stated that the repair should take approximately 11 hours. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

  5. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 1, 2025

    The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V376000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and refused to accept the motorcycle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

  6. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2025

    The contact owns a 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V376000 ( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.