AI Damage2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R: common problems
Owners of the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine and cooling. The maker issued 1 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 18
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 56% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 10 complaints (56% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (33% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (11% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 18 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The officer at the scene confirmed the bikes tire was intact so there's some suspicion that something else happened such as other parts coming off of the bike or the wheel smoking such as if it had locked up.
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.
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.
Recall was issued for crankshaft bearing failure and recall was performed and completed. Kawasaki performed the inspection and repair, however kawasaki had failed to adequately fix the issue causing prolonged headaches and paying for something that is unsafe to opperate.
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.
I feel we are all being jerked around with this. They won't be able to deem it safe simply by inspecting the outer bearing. My motorcycle doesn't even have 300 miles on it. I haven't been able to ride it for almost a month now. It sitting can cause further damage.
25V376, which applies to my 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R due to a potentially catastrophic crankshaft bushing failure. On 6/20/2025, I received a formal âDo Not Rideâ notice from Kawasaki Motors Corp. advising me to stop using my motorcycle immediately due to the risk of engine seizure.
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 8,622 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ninja ZX-6R has 5 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 18, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 2024 ~ 2025 ZX636J/K OIL & FILTER CHANGE (Factory Authorized Repair)
This bulletin only applies to motorcycles that were eligible for recall MC25-08 and not repaired. Owners that did not have recall repairs completed under recall MC25-08 require an oil change under recall MC25-11.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 18. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (6%), smoke, burning smell, fire (6%), warning lights, check engine (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R?
NHTSA lists 1 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 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 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 2024 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.