2013 Kawasaki NINJA 300: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 42 complaints (88.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 29 | 69.0% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 19.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 37 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Engine: 37; Power Train: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 2; Service Brakes: 1; Tires: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 39 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 39; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (39). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 40 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2013: 40; 2014: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 29 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10498532 · 2013-02-18 (February 18, 2013)
I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE AND COMING TO A RED LIGHT. I HELD IN MY CLUTCH TO GET READY TO DOWNSHIFT, BEFORE I COULD EVEN START DOWNSHIFTING, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND I HAD TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN WHEN I WAS AT THE STOP LIGHT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10498532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503493 · 2013-03-18 (March 18, 2013)
I WAS COMING UP TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD GATE AND I PULLED MY CLUTCH IN AND STARTED BRAKING TO STOP SO THE GATE CAN OPEN, THE ENGINE THEN STALLED FOR NO REASON. I WAS IN 1ST GEAR AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED AND I HAVE MY IDLE SET TO ABOUT 1800 RPMS WHICH IS A LITTLE HIGH SO THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON WHY THIS BIKE STALLED BY PULLING THE CLUTCH IN AND BRAKING. I HAVE READ ON VARIOUS KAWASAKI NINJA 300 ONLINE FORUMS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER 2013 NINJA 300'S WITH THE SAME SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 55 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503834 · 2013-03-20 (March 20, 2013)
I OWN A BRAND NEW STOCK NINJA 300. ON THE DAY I FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 80+ DEGREES OUTSIDE. I HAD ALLOW MY BIKE TO WARM UP FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES. TOOK THE BIKE OUT AND WENT DOWN THE BLOCK. I WAS PROBABLY IN 2ND GEAR WHEN I CAME TO AN INTERSECTION WHERE I PREPARED TO STOP. I PULLED IN THE CLUTCH ALL THE WAY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. UPON PULLING IN THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT WAS OFF UNTIL I WENT TO TRY AND PULL OFF AGAIN AND REALIZED MY BIKE WASN'T EVEN RUNNING! THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TI…
Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505012 · 2013-03-30 (March 30, 2013)
HI I HAVE A 2013 KAWASAKI NINJA 300 AND I BEEN HAVING PROBLEM OF SLOWING DOWN AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL DOESN'T MATTER ANY GEAR AFTER 3RD GEAR SLOWING DOWN WOULD JUST STALL, ALSO PROBLEM WITH GETTING INTO THE GEAR AFTER IT STALLING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505031 · 2013-03-30 (March 30, 2013)
THE MOTORCYCLE WILL STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND CREATES A DANGEROUS OPERATING ENVIRONMENT FOR MYSELF AND THE OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME WHEN POWER IS SUDDENLY AND ABRUPTLY LOST. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE CLUTCH LEVER IS PULLED, THE ENGINE WILL STALL. KAWASAKI AND THE DEALERSHIP HAVE BEEN VERY UNHELPFUL AND ARE PUTTING THE OWNERS OF THESE MOTORCYCLES AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OWNERS OF THESE BIKES WITH THE SAME ISSUE, APPARENTLY IT IS QUITE WIDESPREAD. THIS ISSUE HAS EXISTED SINCE MY FIRST DRIVE IN THE DEALER PA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505580 · 2013-04-03 (April 3, 2013)
THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS FLAW WITH THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHEN IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO. AFTER A SUFFICIENT WARM UP PERIOD I WILL DRIVE OFF, AND WHEN I PULL IN THE CLUTCH WHILE SLOWING THE BIKE SHUTS OFF. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. PLEASE MAKE KAWASAKI ISSUE A FIX IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10505580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509113 · 2013-04-22 (April 22, 2013)
I GOT A BRAND NEW KAWASAKI NINJA 300, BUT HAVE ISSUES WITH IT STALLING. I ALLOW IT TO WARM UP FOR AT LEAST 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE RIDING, AS INSTRUCTED BY KAWASAKI, THIS DOES NOT HELP. EVERY MORNING I COME TO A STOP RIGHT AFTER I START MY RIDE TO WORK, WHEN I PULL IN THE CLUTCH THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY AND PERSISTS UNTIL GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVING A FEW MILES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY WARMS UP. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEIR TECH RODE IT AND IT HAPPENED TO THEM TOO. I CALLED KAWASAKI AND BASICALLY ALL TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10509113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509756 · 2013-04-27 (April 27, 2013)
HELLO, THE KAWASAKI NINJA 300 ABS BIKE STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN HOLDING THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE CUTS OFF AND THE BIKE LOOSES POWER, I ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED YESTERDAY DUE TO THIS ISSUE. LOOKS LIKE MANY KAWASAKI BIKE OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX IT. PLEASE ACT ON THIS SINCE THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10509756 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.
13V328000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2013-07-29 (July 29, 2013)
Kawasaki Motors Corp. is recalling certain model year 2013 Ninja 300 and 300 ABS motorcycles manufactured July 16, 2012, through April 27, 2013. Due to an improper setting in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), the motorcycle may stall under deceleration.
Consequence: A stall under deceleration increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU. The recall began on August 5, 2013. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.
NHTSA campaign record ↗