Recall 11V363 affects 2,480 2011 Kawasaki ZX1000JBF, ZX1000KBF, ZX1000JBFL, and ZX1000KBFL motorcycles for pinched wiring. Free repair at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Kawasaki is recalling 2,480 2011 ZX1000JBF, ZX1000KBF, ZX1000JBFL, and ZX1000KBFL motorcycles because the wiring harness can be pinched by rear subframe, fender, or seat-cover hardware. Damage to that harness can short wiring and stop the engine while riding, raising the risk of a crash with injury or death; the Kawasaki dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wiring harness on the 2011 Kawasaki ZX1000JBF, ZX1000KBF, ZX1000JBFL, and ZX1000KBFL motorcycles is the bundle of electrical wires that carries power and signals between parts of the motorcycle. It lets the ignition, engine controls, and other electrical parts communicate while the harness is routed through the rear of the bike.
On affected motorcycles, a section of that harness is routed where it can be pinched between the rear subframe and rear fender, or between the rear subframe and the bolt for the seat cover. That pinch point can cut or crush the insulation around the wires. Once the wiring is damaged, electricity can short between wires and the frame or within the harness, and the engine can stop suddenly.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign can be the engine stopping while riding, so a Kawasaki dealer needs to inspect and repair the harness before the motorcycle is returned to normal use.
Who's affected?
Covers four ZX1000 variants from the 2011 model year, all tied to the same wiring component.
| 2011 Kawasaki ZX1000JBF | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2011 Kawasaki ZX1000KBF | wiring |
| 2011 Kawasaki ZX1000JBFL | wiring |
| 2011 Kawasaki ZX1000KBFL | wiring |
| Units affected | 2,480 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the motorcycle stalls while being ridden, the rider loses power and faces increased crash risk, with risk of injury or death. Schedule service soon and stop riding if the motorcycle stalls or runs abnormally. Repair will be free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Kawasaki ZX1000JBF, ZX1000KBF, ZX1000JBFL, or ZX1000KBFL motorcycle is included in this recall.
- Contact Kawasaki Consumer Services at 1-866-802-9381 to confirm current repair instructions before scheduling dealer work.
- Ask a franchised Kawasaki dealer about the free wiring-harness reroute that keeps the harness from being pinched and shorting while the motorcycle is ridden.
- Bring the recall notice if Kawasaki mailed one. If not, reference recall number 11V363 when you call.
- Avoid riding until Kawasaki or the dealer confirms the harness has been inspected, repaired as needed, and rerouted.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kawasaki technician repairs the motorcycle as needed and reroutes the main wiring harness so it is not pinched between the rear subframe, rear fender, or seat-cover bolt. That routing work is meant to prevent harness damage and electrical shorts. Kawasaki's remedy says the safety recall began on July 25, 2011. The current remedy status is not listed, so confirm repair timing with a Kawasaki dealer. The dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| July 19, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 25, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V363?
Recall 11V363 covers 2,480 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10R ABS motorcycles with main wiring harness routing that can let the harness get pinched and damaged. Kawasaki dealers will inspect, repair as needed, and reroute the main harness for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Kawasaki ZX1000JBF, ZX1000KBF, ZX1000JBFL, or ZX1000KBFL is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 11V363. If it is, contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the main harness inspection, repair, and rerouting. Reference recall 11V363 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Kawasaki dealers will repair the motorcycle as necessary and reroute the main harness free of charge for affected motorcycles.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is a sudden engine stall while the motorcycle is being ridden. The wiring harness can be pinched and damaged, creating a short between wires and the frame or within the wiring. A stall while riding creates crash risk that can result in injury or death.
What if I bought this Kawasaki motorcycle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your motorcycle is included, then call a franchised Kawasaki dealer and reference recall 11V363 when scheduling the harness repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V363000 |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki customer service | 1-866-802-9381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V363 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V363000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →