Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Recalled A Second Time For The Same Issue
Recall expands to include 2024-2026 models
Kawasaki is recalling the Ninja ZX-6R for the second time this year to address an issue that can cause the engine to lose power. Kawasaki initially recalled the ZX-6R in June, covering models from 2024 to 2025, but apparently the measures taken were not enough, as the Ninja is being recalled again, and now including 2026 models. The recall affects 20,301 motorcycles in the U.S., including all versions of the ZX-6R, including ABS and non-ABS models, KRT Editions, and the 40th Anniversary edition released in 2024.
A stop sale order is in place, and owners are advised to stop riding affected ZX-6R models until a repair is completed. As of this writing, Kawasaki does not have a new remedy prepared, but here’s what we know about the problem, and how Kawasaki tried to correct it the first time.
According to the recall documentation, Kawasaki says affected models may lose power due to a seizure to the #5 crankshaft bushing. Kawasaki had actually been investigating the issue since July of 2024, after receiving a single report in Europe about a metal crankshaft bushing seizing and getting caught in the cam chain. Kawasaki then started receiving multiple reports, this time all contained within the U.S. alone.
Because the issues appeared localized to a single market, Kawasaki initially discounted any flaws in its design or manufacturing process, and began investigating whether the problem was caused by aftermarket modifications. Analyzing ECU data from field reports, Kawasaki found evidence that U.S. riders were placing their ZX-6Rs under higher loads than other markets, consistent with aftermarket changes.
It wasn’t until May 2025 that the aftermarket theory went out the window, after Kawasaki was able to reproduce a #5 crankshaft bushing seizure on a stock engine. It was determined that the bolts holding the crankshaft together were over-torqued. In its filings, Kawasaki noted this condition was surprising, as it has procedures in place specifically to prevent this from happening. Still, because of the seizure from the stock engine, Kawasaki started the recall process.
For the initial recall campaign, Kawasaki instructed dealers to inspect all eligible units and ensure the crankshaft bolts are tightened to the correct torque. Any abnormal bushings were also to be replaced. Kawasaki also made changes to its manufacturing process so that all models produced after May 2025 have correctly tightened crankshaft bolts. As of October 17, Kawasaki had remedied 11,019 out of a total recall population of 17,792 motorcycles.
With the second recall, Kawasaki says axial force of the crankcase bolts can be excessive, even after the corrective measures from the first recall. As a result, there may be a lack of proper oil clearance between the crankshaft and the bushing.
Kawasaki says it expects to announce a remedy in early December.
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Welcome to the GLOBAL economy, kids! When you have a Chinese COMPETITOR manufacturing your parts or assembling your engines, you can GUARANTEE that YOUR quality will suffer. It is the new, post-Covid reality, and there have been echoes of this same problem in HD truck, light-truck, and automotive manufacturing throughout the world. I'm NOT trying to bash the Chinese- merely pointing out that having someone else in the manufacturing/assembly process can certainly affect overall quality.
And the sad truth...Maybe 1 in 3 dealerships has the technician with the capability to even perform these types of repair. ALL the OEM's need to invest in their (lack of) technicians. Believe it or not, HD is above and beyond the Japanese OEs (they need it though lol)