Recall 12V343 affects 13,289 2008-2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 motorcycles for rear brake drag, lock-up, or failure. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Kawasaki recalled 13,289 2008-2012 Concours 14 motorcycles because debris can lodge between the brake pedal and guard, dragging the rear brake until it overheats. Brake damage can lead to rear brake lock-up or failure and an increased risk of a crash; the Kawasaki dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On the 2008-2012 Kawasaki Concours 14, the rear brake pedal sits next to a guard that is supposed to leave the pedal free to move. The pedal applies hydraulic brake pressure to the rear brake, so the rear wheel slows when the rider presses the pedal. The guard's job is to protect the pedal area without holding the brake on.
In this recall, the gap between the brake pedal and the guard allows a small stone or road debris to become trapped. When debris wedges there, it can hold the pedal down and create brake drag. That drag keeps the rear brake applied, builds heat, and damages the brake parts. The rear brake can lock up or fail, and ZG1400C models have front-brake involvement listed in the recall.
There is no warning sign before failure. Treat any unusual brake drag, hot brake smell, or motorcycle that does not roll freely after a stop as an active brake problem and do not keep riding.
Who's affected?
Both the body or structural component and hydraulic brake system are included across the full model-year span.
| 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2009 Kawasaki Concours 14 | body or structural component |
| 2009 Kawasaki Concours 14 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14 | body or structural component |
| 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2011 Kawasaki Concours 14 | body or structural component |
| 2011 Kawasaki Concours 14 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 | body or structural component |
| 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 13,289 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific motorcycle.
What's the safety risk?
A brake lockup or brake failure raises the risk of a crash because the motorcycle loses normal braking control. Schedule the recall repair soon, and use extra distance when riding until a dealer checks the motorcycle. Repair will be free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 is included in this recall.
- Watch for Kawasaki's owner letter if you have not received it, and keep any recall mail with your motorcycle records.
- Contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer and ask whether the free rear-master-cylinder rod-end replacement and brake-guard removal is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V343 when you call the dealer or Kawasaki customer service.
- Avoid riding until the dealer checks the brake-drag issue that traps debris near the brake pedal and can overheat or damage the rear brake.
What happens at the repair
Kawasaki has identified the dealer repair for recall 12V343. At the dealer, a Kawasaki technician replaces the rear master cylinder rod end and removes the brake guard if one is installed. That work addresses the gap that lets debris trap the brake pedal and create rear brake drag. The dealer repair will be free once available for your VIN, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| July 20, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 27, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V343?
Recall 12V343 covers 13,289 2008-2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 motorcycles with a brake-pedal gap that can trap stone or debris. That can create rear brake drag, overheating, brake damage, and rear brake lock-up or failure, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2008-2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 12V343. If it is, contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the repair. The dealer will replace the rear master cylinder rod end and remove the brake guard if installed, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kawasaki's remedy says dealers will replace the rear master cylinder rod end and remove the brake guard if installed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk on this Kawasaki Concours 14 recall?
The safety risk is brake lock-up or brake failure. A stone or debris trapped near the brake pedal can create rear brake drag and overheating. Kawasaki says rear brake damage can follow, and the front brakes on ZG1400C models can also be affected.
What if I bought my Kawasaki Concours 14 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included, then give recall 12V343 to the Kawasaki dealer when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V343000 |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki customer service | 1-866-802-9381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V343 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V343000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →