2004 Kawasaki NINJA ZX-10R: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Structure:Body: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 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 (2). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2012: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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 10087560 · 2004-08-04 (August 4, 2004)
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING GEARS. *MR IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO THIRD OR SIXTH GEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE CONSUMER FOUND IT HARD TO SHIFT TO THE THIRD GEAR AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT IMMEDIATELY. THIS WAS ONE OF SEVERAL INCIDENTS. (KAWASAKI ZX-10R NINJA) *SC CONSUMER SOLD MOTORCYCLE DUE TO THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED. *MJJ *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10087560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092018 · 2004-09-14 (September 14, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS OPERATING SUBJECT MOTORCYCLE ON AUGUST 28, 2004, LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, HIT A CURB, AND WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN INTO A TREE AND DIED UPON IMPACT. RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V-373000) WAS POSTMARKED (CA) 2 DAYS PRIOR TO DATE OF FATALITY INCIDENT; HOWEVER, RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS NOT DELIVERED TO NEW JERSEY ADDRESS UNTIL AFTER THE INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. SERGEANT DENNIS GORMAN (NJ POLICE DEPARTMENT) FURNISHED COMPLAINT INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMAT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10144495 · 2005-12-05 (December 5, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT NOTICED THE MAIN FRAME AND SWING ARM CRACKED THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR TIRE WAS TILTED TWO DEGREES TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 6,053 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144495 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461211 · 2012-06-11 (June 11, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME DEVELOPED A CRACK ALONG THE WELDS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461762 · 2012-06-14 (June 14, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX10R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VERY HEAVY VIBRATION IN THE HANDLE BARS. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE MOTORCYCLE TO A DEALER FOR EVALUATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11101550 · 2018-06-13 (June 13, 2018)
THE FRAME HAS CRACKED AT WHERE THE MOTOR MOUNT IS LOCATED,,I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED ..IT FELL OVER ONE NIGHT ..I DON'T HAVE PHOTOS RIGHT NOW
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101550 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.
04V373000 · Wheels
Reported: 2004-07-22 (July 22, 2004)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FRONT WHEEL MAY CONTAIN A CASTING FLAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A WHEEL FAILURE.
Consequence: THIS WHEEL FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
NHTSA campaign record ↗