AI Damage2000 Kawasaki Kawasaki: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Kawasaki Kawasaki filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 18% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (9% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (9% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (9% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 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.
I think it is a fire hazard with oil and wiring mixing. There are many others having this same problem. Proceed to www.zx-12r.org and go to the zx-12r forum and please see category called attention please electrical failure due to oil.
Connectors fused together, then begin to emit smoke from the compartment that the connectors are housed.
Fuel gauge reads incorrectly, and consumer will run out of gas. There has been a recall, but this motorcycle was not included due too vin.
While driving at 35 mph the return pump canister blew up and caught fire. I quickly stopped and put it out with my shirt.. I still have the charred pieces as evidence.
This motorcycle develops a violent side-to-side threshing of the front wheel and handlebars beginning at 75 mph and getting worse at 80 mph and over. Since this is the normal speed of traffic on most western and midwestern highways, this makes the bike not only terrifying to ride, but highly dangerous at normal…
Both the left and right rear view mirrors are unusable. I am 6'0" tall and about 200 lbs. When you ride on this motorcycle you cannot see behind you because the mirrors don't extend out to the left and to the right far enough. All you see are your shoulders.
Shifts out sixth gear frequently. Sometimes grinds other gears while shifting.
While going on highway at about 70 motorcycle stalled and died. Then, consumer was able to start it back up. Consumer felt this waas dangerous because on the highway one could be runned over.
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 10,520 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Kawasaki has 6 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 11, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Kawasaki Kawasaki?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (27%), fuel system, fuel smell (9%), knocking, grinding or other noise (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 Kawasaki Kawasaki?
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 2000 Kawasaki Kawasaki 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 2000 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.