AI Damage2000 Kawasaki ZX1200-A1: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Kawasaki ZX1200-A1 filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 8 Tires 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (17% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 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 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 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.
While turning corner at 30 mph, back tire spun out of control due to a oil leakage, resulting in consumer hitt a tree and motorcycle was totaled. A week later the consumer recieved a recall notice on oil leakage. Please provide addditional information.
While turning corner at 30 mph, the back tire spun out of control due to a oil leakage, resulting in consumer hitting a tree ,and motorcycle was totaled. A week later consumer recieved a recall notice on oil leakage. Please provide addditional information.
White smoke was emitting from under the rear seat. After removing the seat, I notice that oil was present in the area surrounding the regulator/rectifier and one of wires had burn loose. This also caused the junction/box headlight relay switch to fail. I received a $175 equipment failure ticket.
Consumer states that the stator wire connection is leaking oil under the rear seat, causing oil to leak onto rear tire, and create a short to the rear connector, resulting in a fire hazard. Leaking oil caused the connector to melt.
After driving for about 100 miles in the rain, headlight fuse blew, causing the complete failure of both headlights. There have been numerous similar incidents documented on websites.
While driving electric switch on the bottom of motorcycle caught on fire.
Motorcycle was going 65mph when suddenly tclutch basket exploded into pieces.also, if pieces had gotten caught inside crankshaft engine would have locked up, causing serious injury or death. Manufacturer was aware of problem. Please provide more information.
Nhtsa recall 01-v-323-000/manufacturer's recall 01-v-323-000. Consumer has waited for parts to become available for 5 months. Dealer doesn't know when the parts will be in stock.
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 10,160 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
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.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Kawasaki ZX1200-A1?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (25%), smoke, burning smell, fire (25%), headlights and tail lights (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 Kawasaki ZX1200-A1?
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 ZX1200-A1 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.