Recall 21V593 covers 1,523 2020-2021 Kawasaki motorcycles for an oil-pressure relief valve that can come apart. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Kawasaki is recalling 1,523 2020-2021 motorcycles, including the Ninja H2 and Z H2, because the engine oil pressure relief valve can come apart and cause a loss of oil pressure. That loss can stall the engine and increase crash risk; Kawasaki dealers will complete the free recall repair.
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What's wrong?
The 2020-2021 Kawasaki motorcycles in this recall use an oil pressure relief valve inside the engine lubrication system. It helps control oil pressure by opening when pressure rises and routing excess oil through the system. The engine depends on steady oil pressure to keep internal parts coated and moving without damage.
On affected motorcycles, the relief valve was assembled incorrectly. A small retaining clip, called a circlip, was not seated securely because of improper jig adjustment during assembly. If that clip separates, the relief valve can come apart, oil pressure drops, and the engine can stall.
The warning sign is the oil pressure warning indicator. It turns on when oil pressure decreases. If that light comes on while riding, treat it as the warning sign that the lubrication system is no longer holding pressure.
Who's affected?
Spans 8 Kawasaki motorcycle models across the 2020 and 2021 model years; all share the same oil pressure relief valve.
| 2020 Kawasaki Z H2 | Oil/lubrication |
|---|---|
| 2021 Kawasaki ZX1002L | Oil/lubrication |
| 2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 | Oil/lubrication |
| 2021 Kawasaki ZX1002N | Oil/lubrication |
| 2021 Kawasaki ZX1002M | Oil/lubrication |
| 2020 Kawasaki Ninja H2 | Oil/lubrication |
| 2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | Oil/lubrication |
| 2021 Kawasaki ZR1000L | Oil/lubrication |
| 2021 Kawasaki ZR1000K | Oil/lubrication |
| Units affected | 1,523 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash, especially if the motorcycle loses power in traffic. The oil pressure warning indicator comes on when oil pressure drops. If that light appears, pull over when safe and contact a Kawasaki dealer before riding again. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Kawasaki Z H2, ZX1002L, Ninja H2, ZX1002N, ZX1002M, Ninja H2 Sx, ZR1000L, or ZR1000K motorcycle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the free relief-valve replacement that fixes the oil-pressure loss behind the engine-stall risk.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 21V593 when you call.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete. An engine stall increases crash risk.
- Call Kawasaki customer service at 1-866-802-9381 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kawasaki technician replaces the engine oil pressure relief valve. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you have already paid out of pocket for an oil pressure relief valve repair before the recall notice, Kawasaki's general reimbursement plan covers documented qualifying expenses. Bring the repair order, receipt, and any related paperwork to the service desk, or contact Kawasaki customer service for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 30, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 17, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| August 17, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 18, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 23, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V593?
Recall 21V593 covers 1,523 2020-2021 Kawasaki motorcycles with an engine oil pressure relief valve that can come apart. If that happens, the motorcycle can lose oil pressure and stall. Kawasaki dealers will replace the relief valve for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Kawasaki Z H2, ZX1002L, Ninja H2, ZX1002N, ZX1002M, Ninja H2 Sx, ZR1000L, or ZR1000K is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 21V593. If it is, contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the relief valve replacement. Reference recall 21V593 or Kawasaki recall MC21-05 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kawasaki says dealers will replace the relief valve free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Is it safe to ride before the Kawasaki recall repair?
The listed risk is engine stall, which can increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, contact a Kawasaki dealer before riding and ask whether the motorcycle should be transported for service. The dealer repair is free.
When were owners notified about recall 21V593?
Kawasaki mailed owner notification letters on August 23, 2021. If you bought the motorcycle used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Kawasaki customer service is listed at 1-866-802-9381.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V593000 |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki customer service | 1-866-802-9381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V593 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V593000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →