FaultScore

Kawasaki engine problems

Owners have filed 424 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on Kawasaki vehicles — 30% of everything reported about the brand, across 102 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the Kawasaki KLR650, worst in 2001.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

424

Complaints

30%

Share of all Kawasaki complaints

18

Crashes

11

Fires

Which Kawasaki models have the most engine problems

KLR650 69 16.3%

Worst in 2001

Ninja ZX-6R 52 12.3%

Worst in 2025

Ninja 300 39 9.2%

Worst in 2013

Worst Kawasaki model years for engine problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 37 52% 225 F
2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 20 80% F
2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 16 76% 7,000 F
2001 Kawasaki KLR650 15 75% 13,000 F
2008 Kawasaki KLR650 14 11% 5,400 C