Kawasaki Ninja Problems by Year
NHTSA has 42 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file for the Kawasaki Ninja, across 15 model years (1995–2021). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (8). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Kawasaki Ninja years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Ninja model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 Ninja: 8 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2004 Ninja: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Ninja: 7 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2005 Ninja: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2014 Ninja: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2019 Ninja: 1 complaint, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Kawasaki Ninja problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Power Train | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Structure | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Engine | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Kawasaki Ninja model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ninja | 1 | 0 | — | Suspension | |
| 2020 Ninja | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2019 Ninja | 1 | 1 | — | Power Train | |
| 2018 Ninja | 2 | 2 | — | Power Train | |
| 2014 Ninja | 1 | 0 | — | Engine | |
| 2005 Ninja | 1 | 0 | — | Structure | |
| 2004 Ninja | 7 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 2003 Ninja | 5 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2002 Ninja | 3 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2001 Ninja | 7 | 1 | — | Power Train | |
| 2000 Ninja | 8 | 3 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1999 Ninja | 2 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1998 Ninja | 2 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1996 Ninja | 2 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1995 Ninja | 0 | 2 | — | — |
More from Kawasaki: all Kawasaki models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Kawasaki Ninja years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2000 (8), 2004 (7), 2001 (7). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Kawasaki Ninja?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 8 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Kawasaki Ninja have?
8 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.