Recall 20V676 affects 799 2018-2020 Kawasaki motorcycles for ECU shift software that can fracture gears. Do not drive. Free repair at a franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Damaged gears can keep the transmission from shifting and can cause the engine to lock up, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Do not drive the motorcycle, even for short trips, until the FI-ECU software is reprogrammed. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Kawasaki is recalling 799 2018-2020 Ninja H2 Sx, Ninja, and ZX1002A motorcycles because an ECU programming issue during a gear misengagement can let high engine RPM fracture 4th or 5th output gears. Damaged gears and loss of shifting can lock the engine and increase crash risk. Do not drive if your VIN is included; the Kawasaki dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The engine electronic control unit, or ECU, is the motorcycle's control computer. On these 2018-2020 Kawasaki motorcycles, the ECU works with the transmission while you shift so engine speed stays controlled as the gears engage. The transmission's output gears send engine power through the gearbox to the rear wheel.
The defect is in the ECU programming. If the gear dogs do not fully engage while shifting into 4th or 5th gear, the program does not suppress high engine RPM during that missed engagement. When the gear re-engages under high RPM, the output gear for 4th or 5th gear can fracture. Kawasaki traced the issue to the ECU program, not to gear dimensions, hardness, or material texture.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the fracture happens, the rider can lose the ability to shift into 4th or 5th gear, while lower gears remain available based on Kawasaki's reports.
Who's affected?
Spans five Kawasaki model designations across the 2018, 2019, and 2020 model years, with electrical system software and manual transmission components listed in scope.
| 2020 Kawasaki ZX1002A | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2020 Kawasaki ZX1002A | manual transmission |
| 2018 Kawasaki Ninja | electrical system software |
| 2018 Kawasaki Ninja | manual transmission |
| 2019 Kawasaki Ninja | electrical system software |
| 2019 Kawasaki Ninja | manual transmission |
| 2018 Kawasaki ZX1002A | electrical system software |
| 2018 Kawasaki ZX1002A | manual transmission |
| 2020 Kawasaki ZX1002B | electrical system software |
| 2020 Kawasaki ZX1002B | manual transmission |
| 2019 Kawasaki ZX1002D | electrical system software |
| 2019 Kawasaki ZX1002D | manual transmission |
| 2020 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | electrical system software |
| 2020 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | manual transmission |
| 2020 Kawasaki Ninja | electrical system software |
| 2020 Kawasaki Ninja | manual transmission |
| 2019 Kawasaki ZX1002A | electrical system software |
| 2019 Kawasaki ZX1002A | manual transmission |
| 2019 Kawasaki ZX1002B | electrical system software |
| 2019 Kawasaki ZX1002B | manual transmission |
| 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | electrical system software |
| 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | manual transmission |
| Units affected | 799 |
| 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?
Damaged gears can keep the transmission from shifting and can cause the engine to lock up, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Do not drive the motorcycle, even for short trips, until the FI-ECU software is reprogrammed. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2020 Kawasaki ZX1002A, Ninja, ZX1002B, ZX1002D, or Ninja H2 Sx is included in this recall.
- Do not drive or ride the motorcycle until the FI-ECU software repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the motorcycle has to be moved to the dealer; do not ride it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the free FI-ECU software reprogramming that helps prevent high RPM during gear misengagement and gear fracture.
- Bring the recall notice if Kawasaki has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V676 and Kawasaki recall MC20-10 when you call.
- Call Kawasaki customer service at 1-866-802-9381 with questions about the recall or repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kawasaki technician reprograms the FI-ECU software so the engine control unit can better manage high RPM during a gear misengagement. The software update and labor are free under the recall. Until that repair is complete, do not ride the motorcycle. Kawasaki uses its general reimbursement plan for owners who already paid for the same FI-ECU software repair. Keep repair documents and ask Kawasaki customer service or the dealer how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 2, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 13, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| November 13, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 16, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 16, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V676?
Recall 20V676 covers 799 2018-2020 Kawasaki ZX1002A, Ninja, ZX1002B, ZX1002D, and Ninja H2 Sx motorcycles with ECU software that fails to suppress high RPM during certain gear misengagements. Kawasaki dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2020 Kawasaki ZX1002A, Ninja, ZX1002B, ZX1002D, or Ninja H2 Sx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 20V676. If it is included, do not ride it until a Kawasaki dealer reprograms the FI-ECU software. Reference recall number 20V676 or Kawasaki recall MC20-10 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Kawasaki dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software free of charge. The recall repair is covered regardless of where you bought the motorcycle.
What does do not drive mean for this Kawasaki recall?
Do not drive or ride the motorcycle until the repair is complete. Kawasaki's recall remedy says owners are advised not to ride before the FI-ECU software is reprogrammed, because damaged gears and the inability to shift can cause the engine to lock up.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V676000 |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki customer service | 1-866-802-9381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V676 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V676000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →