Recall 17V703 affects 2,383 2017-2018 Kawasaki ZR900 and Z900 motorcycles for rear shock mount damage. Do not drive. Free repair at a Kawasaki dealer.
A rear shock absorber that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive it, even for short trips. There is no warning sign before failure. Call a Kawasaki dealer and ask about towing if the motorcycle must move. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Kawasaki is recalling 2,383 2017-2018 ZR900 and Z900 motorcycles because the rear shock absorber tie-rod frame mount holes can elongate when the shock bottoms out, affecting shock operation. Do not drive the motorcycle until a Kawasaki dealer completes the free repair, because faulty shock absorber operation increases crash risk.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The rear shock absorber on the 2017-2018 Kawasaki ZR900 and Z900 motorcycles controls rear suspension movement after bumps, dips, and hard impacts. A tie-rod connects part of that suspension to brackets on the frame, so the shock can move in a controlled path instead of loading the frame unevenly.
On affected motorcycles, the frame mount holes for that tie-rod can stretch out when the rear suspension bottoms out. That means the rear shock reaches the end of its travel after a large impact, then transfers more load into the tie-rod bracket than the frame and assembly torque were built to handle. The elongated hole changes how the shock absorber works, and the bracket can break.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the bracket or mount hole has already been damaged, the change is inside the rear suspension mounting area and is not something most riders will feel early.
Who's affected?
Covers the ZR900 and Z900 across the 2017 and 2018 model years, both tied to the rear suspension.
| 2017 Kawasaki ZR900 | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2018 Kawasaki Z900 | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 2,383 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
A rear shock absorber that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive it, even for short trips. There is no warning sign before failure. Call a Kawasaki dealer and ask about towing if the motorcycle must move. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Kawasaki ZR900 or Z900 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the motorcycle until the rear shock absorber tie-rod frame mount inspection and repair are complete.
- Arrange a tow if the motorcycle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the free inspection and bracket or frame replacement that fixes the elongated tie-rod mounting holes affecting rear shock operation.
- Bring the recall notice if Kawasaki mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V703 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kawasaki technician inspects the rear shock absorber tie-rod mounting hole for elongation. If the hole is elongated, the dealer replaces the bracket or the frame, depending on the extent of the damage. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Kawasaki has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for the same repair before the recall notice, contact Kawasaki customer service with your repair documentation and ask how to submit it under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 8, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 4, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V703?
Recall 17V703 covers 2,383 2017-2018 Kawasaki ZR900 and Z900 motorcycles with rear shock absorber tie-rod frame mount holes that can elongate when the rear shock bottoms out. If the shock absorber stops working properly, crash risk increases. Kawasaki dealers inspect and repair the mounting area for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Kawasaki ZR900 or Z900 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 17V703. If it is included, do not drive it until a franchised Kawasaki dealer completes the inspection and repair. Ask the dealer about towing if the motorcycle needs to be moved.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Kawasaki dealers inspect the tie-rod mounting hole and replace the bracket or frame, depending on the damage, free of charge.
What does do not drive mean for this Kawasaki recall?
Do not drive the motorcycle until the dealer completes the recall repair. The rear shock absorber mount defect affects suspension operation, and Kawasaki's recall says improper shock absorber function increases crash risk. Call a franchised Kawasaki dealer and ask how to move the motorcycle safely.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V703000 |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki customer service | 1-866-802-9381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V703 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V703000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →