My 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R ABS KRT Edition suffered a catastrophic engine failure at approximately 2,300 miles, resulting in a physical hole/breach in the engine crankcase and loss of engine oil. The motorcycle is currently at the selling Kawasaki dealer, Motorcycle Mall in [XXX]. This motorcycle is affected by Kawasaki/the federal safety agency safety recall campaigns involving the #5 crankshaft bushing and crankcase bolt loading, including the federal safety agency Recall 25V376 and the subsequent related recall 25V798 / Kawasaki MC25-11. Recall 25V376 had reportedly been performed before I purchased the motorcycle new on XXX. The motorcycle was subsequently subjected to the later recall remedy while I owned it. Kawasaki issued these recalls because insufficient oil clearance/excessive loading at the #5 crankshaft bushing could cause crankshaft seizure, engine stalling, and sudden loss of motive power. Despite the recall remedies, my engine suffered catastrophic internal failure and breached the crankcase. I am reporting this because the failure occurred after recall-related repairs and appears potentially related to the same engine/crankshaft defect addressed by the recalls. A sudden engine seizure or catastrophic engine failure on a motorcycle can cause loss of control, crash, serious injury, or death. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this as a possible post-recall remedy failure and evaluate the effectiveness of the recall repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r engine problems
21 complaints (88% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 21
- of this car's complaints
- 88%
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ninja ZX-6R, ZX-6R KRT Edition, ZX-6R KRT 40th Anniversary Edition ABS, ZX-6R ABS, and ZX-6R KRT Edition ABS motorcycles. The motorcycles may lose engine power during operation due to seizure of a metal crankshaft bushing.
- Risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to ride their motorcycles until the repair has been completed. Dealers will re-tighten the metal crankshaft bushing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2025. Motorcycles in this recall that were previously repaired under recall 25V376 will need to have the new remedy performed, once available. Owners may contact Kawasaki customer service at (855) 878-4217.
Recall number 25V798000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Ninja ZX-6R motorcycles. The motorcycles may lose engine power during operation due to seizure of a metal crankshaft bushing.
- Risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to ride their motorcycles until the repair has been completed. The #5 metal crankshaft bushing must be inspected on all eligible units already in operation. If there is no abnormality with or damage to the bushing, the bolts holding the crankshaft together in the crank case must be re-tightened with proper torque. If there is any abnormality with or damage to the bushing, the parts must be replaced and the crankshaft properly tightened, or the engine must be otherwise repaired or replaced. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1‑866‑802‑9381. This recall was replaced by 25V798.
Recall number 25V376000 · Recall details
What 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
GMy name is Duane Willett and I filed a Lemon Law claim Dec 8th and was referred to make a complaint to the federal safety agency by the Texas DMV.The vehicle is coming up on three months of non use due to the Manufacturer issued stop ride which was issued on two separate occasions. I purchased the 2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R vin number [XXX] brand new with zero miles [XXX] and its been subject to the federal safety agency's recall campaign number for this issue is 25V376 which the vehicle was not available to operate safely for over 30 days due to the #5 metal crankshaft bushing failure. Kawasaki is advised all owners of these bikes to immediately stop riding their affected 2024 through 2026 Ninja ZX-6Rs until the repairs could be completed. The manufacturers solution was not successful, failures continued and another recall was issued for the same problem. the federal safety agency's campaign number for this recall is 25V798. Bike was take to Family Powersports and the following are the technicians notes. 25-11 CRANKSHAFT BEARING SEIZURE INSPECTION Description SMC 25-11 CRANKSHAFT BEARING SEIZURE INSPECTION Resolution:E FAILED INSPECTION 3 SUPPOSED TO MEASURE 11. SMM BIKE MEASURED AT 1.7MM CALLED KAWI AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE AND THAT IS A PASS BIKE IS GOOD TO GO Respectfully, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
There has been two recalls on my motorcycle. My bike passed the first inspection, i took my bike in two weeks ago for the 2nd inspection, per my Kawaskai dealer my bike did not pass. They informed me that my bike required a new engine. On saturday I call my dealer and was told that Kawasaki re worded the recall fix solution and that my bike passed. My dealer said that the reworded statment makes no sense and that they would not trust the motor on this bike. So if the techs at the dealer are saying that this bike is unsafe to ride why should I just take that this bike is not affected by the recall when I was told it was. I request that Kawaskai replace the engine if they want replace it they can buy the motorcycle back from me for what I owe on it. I will not ride this bike untill the engine is replaces and a notorized letter stating that if I die my wife can sue Kawasaki if related to the recall and they will not dispute the lawsuit.
Safety recall exists for engine stall risk but manufacturer has not provided parts or remedy for over two months. Motorcycle cannot be used.
I own a 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The motorcycle is subject to multiple safety recalls related to crankshaft bearing/bushing seizure that can cause sudden engine stall and crash risk. In June 2025, Kawasaki issued Recall 25V376 and instructed owners not to ride the motorcycle until an authorized repair was completed. My motorcycle underwent the recall repair, which resulted in an extended loss of use of approximately two months. In November 2025, Kawasaki issued a second safety recall (25V798) stating that the prior repair may not have properly addressed the defect and again instructed owners not to ride the motorcycle. Kawasaki further stated that parts are not currently available and no repair timeline has been provided. As a result, my motorcycle has now been rendered unsafe and unusable on two separate occasions for the same defect, despite prior recall repair. I am continuing to make payments on a vehicle I am prohibited from operating, with no clear resolution or response from the manufacturer. I am submitting this complaint due to repeated safety-related defects, failed recall remedy, extended loss of use, and lack of manufacturer response.
Was notified by my local motorcycle store Classic Powersports of Rockwall TX that my motorcycle has been recalled for the second time in less than 3 months for possible engine failure and the manufacture has not remedy. I've requested a buy back of the vehicle to purchase another model and I haven't received no response from the manufacture. I'm making payments on a brand new motorcycle that has possible engine ceasing while riding.
Was notified by my local motorcycle store Classic Powersports of Rockwall TX that my motorcycle has been recalled for the second time in less than 3 months for possible engine failure and the manufacture has not remedy. I've requested a buy back of the vehicle to purchase another model and I haven't received no response from the manufacture. I'm making payments on a brand new motorcycle that has possible engine ceasing while riding.
While riding at normal speed, I heard a loud popping noise from the engine, followed by immediate power loss. The motorcycle shut off without warning and coolant began leaking heavily near the front wheel. There were no warning lights or symptoms beforehand. The bike had fewer than 3,000 miles on it and was well maintained. I had to tow the motorcycle to the dealership, where a teardown revealed catastrophic engine failure—including internal damage to the crankcase, pistons, and transmission holder. The issue was later confirmed to be related to a manufacturer-issued recall, which had never been disclosed to me prior to the failure. Despite the severity of the issue and the recall connection, the dealership was unable to complete the repair for over two months due to parts delays and poor communication. The vehicle was non-operational the entire time. This failure created a serious safety risk and resulted in over $1,900 in financial losses due to towing, alternate transportation, and financing costs.
The contact's son owned a 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, he was involved in a collision with two other vehicles; the cause of the collision was still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. The contact was unaware if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the owner's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries as well as a fatality were reported. The contact's son was transported to an area hospital by EMT but was unfortunately pronounced deceased as a result of the accident. Though it was unknown at the time if a specific failure had occurred, upon investigation, the contact concluded that the accident may be related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V376000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the accident. The failure mileage was unknown.
Currently the bike is under a "Do not ride" and is inoperable and will continue to be for an extended period of time for myself and many others, with no compensation or alternative during the downtime. Myself and many other riders are stuck with loan payments and/or insurance payments on a bike that is not even a year old in many cases with no word from the manufacturer other than the recommended fix we will be waiting in queue for. This fix is extremely damaging to our value of the $13000-$14000 many of us paid and it will be worth only a fraction of that to resale from here on. Not to mention the reliability of having our engine opened but local mechanics and serviced by them.
Questions about the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r engine
Does the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r have engine problems?
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the engine of the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r, 88% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r engine problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r engine?
Yes, 2 recalls: 25V798000, 25V376000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r have bad engine?
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r model years with the most engine complaints are 2025 (21 complaints) and 2024 (16 complaints).
Other 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6r problems
Transmission 1
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