2018 Kawasaki Ninja
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 2 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 3 Ninja model years with reports.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, manual transmissionDo not drive until repairedNov 3, 2020
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Ninja H2 SX, Ninja H2 SXSE, and 2019-2020 Ninja H2 SXSE+ motorcycles. In the event of a gear misengagement the engine electronic control unit (ECU) programming doesn't have the capability to suppress high RPM during transmission. If the transmission gears are not properly engaged while shifting into 4th or 5th gear, high engine RPM can cause the output gears of 4th or 5th to fracture when the gears re-engage.
Damaged gears and the inability to shift can cause the engine to lock up, increasing the risk of a crash.
KMC will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owners are advised to not ride their motorcycle until the repair has been completed. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. KMC's number for this recall is MC20-10.
Campaign 20V676000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, motorcycle, kickstand/center standAug 30, 2018
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE (ZXT02BJ) motorcycles. The pin for the center stand spring may have been improperly welded, and, as a result, the pin may shift or fall off resulting in the spring detaching and the center stand dropping to the ground unexpectedly and dragging while riding.
The dragging center stand can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left center stand bracket, free of charge. Owners may contact Kawasaki customer service at 1-866-802-9381. Kawasaki's number for this recall is MC18-05.
Campaign 18V580000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
1 report, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Jun 4, 2018
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