The Kneeslider

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Kawasaki Ninja ZX14 Recall

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Kawasaki has issued a recall for the Ninja ZX14, model years 2006 and 2007. No production dates or VIN numbers are specified, nor is the number of units affected. Read the details below.

Manufacturer: Kawasaki
Model Year: 2006, 2007
Models affected: ZX14
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V222000
Potential Units Affected: Not Specified
Problem: Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 ‘Ninja’ ZX14 motorcycles. The rear suspension can collapse when a crossmember separates from the frame. Failure of the frame could result in the rear of the motorcycle collapsing creating the possibility of a crash resulting in injury or death.

Corrective Action: Dealers will check the torque of the engine mount adjusting collars and inspect and possibly replace the frame if necessary. The recall was expected to begin during May 2008. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.

 

Comments

  1. Ooh, that doesn’t sound too fun.

    Based on my own experience with Kawi North Amer., it’s likely that there were more than just a couple failures before they took responsibility.

  2. Can you please advise why there is no recall message in the Kawasaki website. If you know where it is, can you please forward me the details.

  3. You should probably ask Kawasaki at the number provided. The information above is from the NHTSA.

  4. Well zx-14 riders it’s true…..had to turn my 06 in today.Had it checked and 2 engine bolts were torqued to tight.May be out my bike for 2 months…kawasaki should buy back bike and put us on a new one.When i found this out my heart dropped….thinking of the speeds i went and what could have happenend.

  5. Monty I know how you feel about your heart dropped. My boyfriend has owned 2 zx14’s and 06 and now 07. The 06 was involved in a accident where believe it or not hit hit a car head on and cracked in the exact place they indicated in the recall letter. Lucky he wasn’t hurt but the bike was toast and a few weeks ago we received the letter on the recall for the 06. Took the recall letter and the 07 to the dealer and found it was for the 06. I was so relieved then low and behold today we got another notice and it’s for the 07 so I’m freaking again. He has bounced that bike off the limiter at 187mph countless times. I can’t believe it’s 2 years later and they now issue a recall of such degree.

  6. Sheri, Join the club… I sold my 07 ZX-14 with over 40,000 miles on it last December. I got the letter yesterday from Kawa. I’m trying to locate the buyer! I put a lot of miles on it in a short period of time. Everything from kneesliding to drags. Spent some serious bucks on it and been over 225mph. When I got the letter I got chills down my spine. All I can say is that I was lucky and hopefully we’ll find the owner soon. What surprises me is that Kawa had to know about the problem before the release of the 08 models more than 8 months ago. Looking forward to my new ZX-14 soon. Let’s Ride! -DragMaster

  7. Is there a possibility of returning this bike even though i’ve had it for two years? just because of the recall?

  8. Craig… not usually. The general rule is that if it breaks in half, you get to keep both pieces. Keep in mind the recall by design protects them, not us. What bothers me more than anything is the pride of ownership vs. the lack of qualified techs. at the local service level. Pretty bad when I had to return my bike to the dealer to re-install tires because the tech. didn’t follow the arrows on installation. They were mounted backwards. I finally contacted the guy who bought my bike. The bolt WAS too tight and the next step is to pull the engine to check welds on the frame. If there are cracks then the dealer has to order parts. The sad part is that it could take weeks, even months and most owners won’t take their bikes in to start with. Pulling the engine is a serious matter and an ugly job. Putting everything back together in original condition is uglier. My bike had custom paint and an extended swing arm, NOS and a lot of performance stuff on it. If you decide not to get the bike fixed (or trashed)… your health risk is about the same each time you mount up and drive down the street. Only one person can decide your fate and it’s not Kawasaki. You have to do what’s right for you. Cracked welds are a risk, so is riding without them. Kawasaki is only covering their butts from a legal standpoint. -DragMaster

  9. I’m with most of you, the experience these shop techs have is mininmal, most of them are part changers and nothing more. I took my 07 in last Thurs. and got it back the following day. They told me the collars were torqued to spec. When I started asking questions ie: what if it cracks in the future after “you” already said it was good, what do I need to keep an eye on etc. They had no good answers. I feel as if, even if they were’nt torqued to spec then they just lossened them up and put back to spec to avoid some work that is over their heads.

  10. I have the 2008 special edition zx14. And although its not said to have any recalls at the moment, it hads given me so many issues. I love the bike, but to much is happening to it. I am expecting so wild recalls on it if anyone else runs into my issues…

  11. Hello.
    Just a comment from a crusier guy. I have a 06 VN900. My fork are offset to the right, and tire wear confirms this. Kawi is denying that there is a problem, and will not touch it. My dealer has even confirmed the offset?
    Judging by this thread, Kawi does not take responsibilty for its problems. What should my (and ours, it seems) next step be?

  12. Hello!
    Can anyone point out for me what bolt it is to bee checked for corect torque?

  13. Well, I am sad to say that I have something to add to to your commentary… My husband, the father of our 2 year old boy, dies in September. We didn’t receive the recall until March. He just boght the bike in Jukly. His rear collapsed. He flipped. The bike landed on him. He suffered major damage to the fron of his brain. He bled out and died 54 minutes after the wreck. He was a motorcrosser, owned a Hyabussa for EVER, and had even begun teachin our son to ride. His got his first bike at the age of three… I don’t really know what to do. He was much older than I, and he always tiook care of this type of things. Thank God, I still have the bike ion our garage. It is propped up on it’s kickstand. Any ideas?… Please!
    Megan
    Beaumont, Texas

  14. Megan, sorry to hear about your loss. If you haven’t got a lawyer yet… get one. Accident lawyers will usually take a case like yours for no ‘up-front’ money. They get paid when the case gets settled. -DragMaster

  15. Fellow readers I reside in the Caribbean on an Island known as Trinidad better known as Trinidad and Tobago I own a kawasaki ZX14 2006 and after reading these reviews I must state the effect is worrying to say the least for I do not know what recourse if any I and my fellow riders of ZX14’S have. If any one has a suggestion please let me know.
    Mark

  16. Hey Mortiere, not sure if its you or not but you need to get in touch. Something terrible went on with S.B. In Wisconsin. Feel you would care to know.

  17. Mark’ im in with you boy , im also from Trinidad north side Pos. to be exact & I too am shocked as hell & very disapionted, wait a minuite i’m going to run a check right now!………………….
    Well after running some visual checks i am glad to report that there are no visual cracks on my cycle but those reports will most definately will affect my rides in the future and as you would know its a fun bike to ride & yes, I do love to take it low, any word on what we can do to address the situation.
    What do they actually do when they get the cycle back in their shop? Is it something we can do ourselves?

  18. Well,as a previous zx-14 owner I didn’t get a recall letter until after my accident..Still here to share the story,I am now a paraplegic due to injuries substained from m/c accident.Lawyer states speed not recall was what caused the accident.

  19. I was behind a special edition 2009 ZX14 last weekend and the rear suspension cross memeber sheared out of the bottom of the frame.
    Rider and passenger escaped with cuts and briuses.
    Maybe South Africa gets the 2007 old stock.

  20. I just got in a solo wreck when I went over a dip in the road at 30 mph. I had it in control but it still seem to go down, I went down and slid about 20 feet I hit a parked car and the bike followed me and hit me on my upper back. I got up to get back on the bike but it wouldnt move I looked to see what was stopping it and I saw the bottom of the fram was cracked and it collapsed on my rear tire. I might need a lawer…. any success ?