Recall 20V774 affects 1,770 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400, EX400G, and Z400 motorcycles for weak camshaft tensioners. Do not drive. Free repair at franchised Kawasaki dealers.
A damaged camshaft chain tensioner can stall the engine and increase the risk of a crash. Abnormal engine noise is the warning sign listed for this recall; treat it as a reason to stop riding and call a Kawasaki dealer. Do not drive the motorcycle, even for short trips, until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Kawasaki is recalling 1,770 2021 Ninja 400, EX400G, and Z400 motorcycles under recall 20V774 because the camshaft chain tensioner was not strong enough after improper heat treatment; if the tensioner is damaged, the engine can stall and raise the risk of a crash. Do not drive the motorcycle until a Kawasaki dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The camshaft chain tensioner on the 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400, EX400G, and Z400 is an internal engine part that keeps the camshaft chain tight as the engine runs. That chain keeps the crankshaft and camshafts moving in time, so the valves open and close at the right point in each engine cycle. The tensioner presses against the chain system to control slack and noise.
On affected motorcycles, the tensioner assembly did not receive proper heat treatment during manufacturing. That leaves the plunger surface weaker than specification, so the contact area can wear and the tensioner can be damaged. Once that happens, the camshaft chain can lose proper tension, which changes how the engine sounds and can interfere with normal engine operation.
The warning sign is abnormal engine noise. If your Kawasaki starts making a new rattling, tapping, or rough mechanical sound from the engine area, treat that as the sign Kawasaki identified before the tensioner fails.
Who's affected?
Covers 3 Kawasaki 400-class motorcycle names tied to the same tensioner assembly issue.
| 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
|---|---|
| 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Engine |
| 2021 Kawasaki EX400G | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 2021 Kawasaki EX400G | Engine |
| 2021 Kawasaki Z400 | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 2021 Kawasaki Z400 | Engine |
| Units affected | 1,770 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged camshaft chain tensioner can stall the engine and increase the risk of a crash. Abnormal engine noise is the warning sign listed for this recall; treat it as a reason to stop riding and call a Kawasaki dealer. Do not drive the motorcycle, even for short trips, until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400, EX400G, or Z400 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive or ride the motorcycle until the camshaft chain tensioner repair is 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 camshaft chain tensioner replacement that fixes the tensioner defect linked to engine stall.
- Bring the recall notice if Kawasaki mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V774 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kawasaki technician replaces the camshaft chain tensioner, free of charge. Do not ride the motorcycle until this repair is complete. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you paid to correct this tensioner failure before receiving the owner letter, Kawasaki directs you to apply for full or partial reimbursement with documentation. Send current owner and VIN information, repair orders, and payment confirmation to Kawasaki Customer Care at the address listed in the owner letter.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 11, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 18, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| December 18, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 21, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 21, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V774?
Recall 20V774 covers 1,770 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400, EX400G, and Z400 motorcycles with a camshaft chain tensioner that has insufficient strength from improper heat treatment. If the tensioner is damaged, the engine can stall and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 400, EX400G, or Z400 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 20V774. If it is, do not drive it. Contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the camshaft chain tensioner replacement, and reference Kawasaki recall MC20-13 when you call.
Is the Kawasaki recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair to be completed at no cost, and Kawasaki dealers will replace the camshaft chain tensioner free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included motorcycles.
What does do not drive mean for this Kawasaki recall?
Do not drive the motorcycle until the dealer completes the recall repair. The camshaft chain tensioner can be damaged and cause the engine to stall, increasing crash risk. If the motorcycle needs to move, ask the Kawasaki dealer about safe transport options.
When did Kawasaki begin this recall repair?
Kawasaki began the recall on December 21, 2020. The repair is available now, so owners with an included VIN should contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer for the free camshaft chain tensioner replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V774000 |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki customer service | 1-866-802-9381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V774 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V774000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →