2008 Kawasaki CONCOURS 14: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
7,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 27 complaints (18.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 44.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 7.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
| Equipment | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Equipment: 3; Structure: 3; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10201612 · 2007-08-31 (August 31, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. WHILE RIDING THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME AND GAVE THE CONTACT A FIRST DEGREE BURN ON HIS RIGHT CALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPOSITIONED THE INSULATION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT RODE THE VEHICLE AND ONCE AGAIN SUSTAINED FIRST DEGREE BURNS TO HIS RIGHT AND LEFT CALVES AND BOTH INNER THIGHS. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. UPDATED…
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208028 · 2007-11-06 (November 6, 2007)
I HAVE A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS14, AND THE LOCKING MECHANISMS ON ONE OF MY HARD BAGS HAS FAILED. THE MOTORCYCLE ONLY HAS 2,100 MILES AND THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET OF INDIVIDUALS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE BAGS FALLING OFF AS THEY GO DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208028 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208040 · 2007-11-06 (November 6, 2007)
HARD SADDLE BAGS LOOSE ON MOTORCYCLE. LATCH MECHANISM BINDS WHEN RETRACTING SADDLEBAG SECURING HOOK. UPON INSPECTION OF LATCH, ONE OF THE PINS WITHIN THE LATCH WAS FOUND TO BE SHEARED OFF. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,496 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208181 · 2007-11-07 (November 7, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. WHILE RIDING 60 MPH, THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AND THE HARD BAG ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DETACHED AND FELL ON THE ROAD. THE PLASTIC HOOK USED FOR THE VEHICLE HAS TWO WEAK PINS MOLDED INTO THE HOOKS. THE PINS FAILED AND MADE THE LOCK HOOKS USELESS. THE MANUFACTURER MADE A REPLACEMENT, BUT WITH THE SAME BAG. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE BAG WILL FALL OFF AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10212389 · 2007-12-20 (December 20, 2007)
MY 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURSE 14 HAD THE LEFT SADDLE BAG FALL OFF WHILE RIDING, LUCKILY IT WAS A RURAL ROAD AND I DID NOT INJURE ANYONE BEHIND ME. HOWEVER, IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS HAD IT FALLEN OFF ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE HEARD OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING ON 2008 KAWASAKI C-14S AND BELIEVE THE FACTORY SHOULD RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE LATCH MECHANISM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10212389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10212476 · 2007-12-21 (December 21, 2007)
AFTER A VERY SLIGHT BUMP, THAT LEFT NO VISIBLE MARKS, THE SINGLE LATCH THAT RETAINS THE RIGHT SIDE SADDLEBAG FAILED. THESE BAGS SET INTO SOCKETS THAT CARRY THE LOAD, BUT ARE RETAINED BY A HOOK THAT HAS TWO SMALL PLASTIC PINS THAT BEAR THE STRESS OF THE LATCH. AFTER THE BUMP, I REMOVED THE SADDLEBAG AND INSPECTED THE HOOK. IT WOULD NOT STAY IN THE SECURED POSITION, AND WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO RETAIN SADDLEBAG SECURELY. I RETURNED LATCH TO DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS REPLACED LATCH AS A WARRANTED REPAIR. FAULTY LATCH RETAINED BY DEALER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 12,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215089 · 2008-01-16 (January 16, 2008)
THE "HARD BAGS" OR LUGGAGE HAVE FAULTY LATCHES THAT FAIL WHILE IN OPERATION RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO MOTORISTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10215089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10237662 · 2008-08-11 (August 11, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V047000 (EQUIPMENT) ON AUGUST 11, 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE SADDLEBAGS DETACHED FROM THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70.
Owner-reported narrative. 70 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237662 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V343000 · Structure:Frame And Members | Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2012-07-20 (July 20, 2012)
Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Concours 14 (ZG1400 A/B/C/D) motorcycles. Due to a gap between the brake pedal and guard, small stone or debris can become trapped, creating a brake drag. This can cause the rear brake to overheat, leading to rear brake damage and lock-up or failure of the rear brakes. The front brakes may also be affected on ZG1400C models.
Consequence: If the brakes lock up or fail, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear master cylinder rod end and remove the brake guard (if installed), free of charge. The safety recall began on July 37, 2012. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.
NHTSA campaign record ↗