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2003 Kawasaki Ninja

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
5Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

1Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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2005
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
3Electrical System
1Power Train
1Steering
1Structure
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Steering complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2003
SteeringCrashInjury

2003 KAWASKI EX500-D10---I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND AS I WAS DOWN SHIFTING THE FRONT WHEEL WENT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHEN THE HANDLE BARS BROKE OFF IN MY HANDS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TURN AND I RAN INTO THE DITCH AND WAS THROWN FROM THE BIKE AND BROKE MY WRIST. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECTED MOTORCYCLE PAR…

Read full complaint

2003 KAWASKI EX500-D10---I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND AS I WAS DOWN SHIFTING THE FRONT WHEEL WENT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHEN THE HANDLE BARS BROKE OFF IN MY HANDS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TURN AND I RAN INTO THE DITCH AND WAS THROWN FROM THE BIKE AND BROKE MY WRIST. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECTED MOTORCYCLE PART[ THIN HANDLE BARS ] THAT MY BODY WEIGHT COULD MAKE THEM BREAK WE HAVE FROM THE ER TO NIGHT THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHER ACCIDENTS LIKE MINE CAUSED BY THE NINJA BIKES. THAT IS A DIFFIDENT DESIGN DEFECT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018664

Official recalls

1

02V324000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Dec 6, 2002

ON CERTAIN 2000 ZX1200-A1/A1-L, 2001 ZX1200-A2/A2-L, AND 2002-2003 ZX1200-B1/B1-L MOTORCYCLES, OIL LEAKING FROM THE ALTERNATOR LEAD ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR CAN BE DEPOSITED ONTO THE REAR TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A LOSS OF TRACTION FOR BRAKING OR CORNERING, AND CAN LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SEAL THE ALTERNATOR LEAD WIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN BEGIN DECEMBER 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.