AI Damage2012 Kawasaki Concours 14: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and visibility. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 50% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 50% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (50% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Back Brake pedal locks up at times locking the rear brakes and seems to lock the left front brake. Have had back brakes replaced and front pads replaced. The issue happened within one week of purchasing the bike used from a Florida Dealership. When the brakes lock up, you are almost thrown from the bike.
In november 2013 I purchased a new non-current inventory 2012 kawasaki concours 14 motorcycle. Prior to riding it this spring I installed a larger aftermarket national cycle v-stream windshield for increased wind protection.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kawasaki concours 14, equipped with a national cycle v stream windshield. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the windshield began to move. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the bolts were fractured.
Under certain conditions, use of the rear brake pedal can cause an unexpected, sudden grab of the brakes. This problem can be demonstrated by applying the rear brake pedal after lightly applying the front brake lever.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Concours 14 has 6 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 4, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, visibility. Total complaints: 4.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2012 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.