Recall 21V594 covers 857 2018-2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx, ZX1002A, and ZX1002D motorcycles. Rear hub needle-bearing repair is free at Kawasaki dealers.
Kawasaki is recalling 857 2018-2021 Ninja H2 Sx, ZX1002A, and ZX1002D motorcycles because too little grease in the rear hub needle bearing can make the bearing fail and lock the rear wheel. Rear wheel lock-up can increase crash risk, and Kawasaki dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear hub needle bearing on 2018-2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx, ZX1002A, and ZX1002D motorcycles sits in the rear hub housing near the rear axle. Its job is to let the rear hub turn smoothly while supporting the load at the back of the motorcycle. Grease inside the bearing keeps the small rollers coated so metal parts do not grind against each other.
On these motorcycles, the bearing was built with too little grease because the grease application process varied. With insufficient lubrication, the bearing rollers run hotter and wear the bearing surface. As the damage grows, the bearing loses its smooth movement and can fail in the rear hub. If it seizes, the rear wheel can lock up.
There is no warning sign before failure. A noise from the rear of the motorcycle was reported during Kawasaki's investigation, but the recall source does not give owners a reliable symptom to watch for before the bearing fails.
Who's affected?
Spans the Ninja H2 Sx, ZX1002A, and ZX1002D across the 2018-2021 model years, all tied to the same rear suspension bearing.
| 2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | rear suspension |
| 2018 Kawasaki ZX1002A | rear suspension |
| 2020 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | rear suspension |
| 2019 Kawasaki ZX1002D | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 857 |
| 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?
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the needle-bearing replacement soon and ride cautiously until the dealer completes the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx, ZX1002A, or ZX1002D motorcycle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the free rear hub needle-bearing replacement that fixes the under-greased bearing at the rear hub.
- Reference recall number 21V594 and Kawasaki recall MC21-04 when you call.
- Bring the owner letter if Kawasaki mailed one to you.
- Limit riding until the repair, since rear wheel lock-up increases crash risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kawasaki technician replaces the rear hub needle bearing covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free. Kawasaki uses its standard reimbursement plan for eligible out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall notice. If you already paid for a rear hub or needle bearing repair tied to this condition, ask Kawasaki customer service or the dealer service desk what documentation they need for a reimbursement claim.
| 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 21V594?
Recall 21V594 covers 857 2018-2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx, ZX1002A, and ZX1002D motorcycles with too little grease in the rear hub needle-bearing. The bearing can fail and lock the rear wheel, increasing crash risk. Kawasaki dealers replace the needle-bearing for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx, ZX1002A, or ZX1002D is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 21V594. If it is, contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the rear hub needle-bearing replacement. Reference recall number MC21-04 or 21V594 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Kawasaki to repair the defect at no cost, and Kawasaki dealers replace the rear hub needle-bearing free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included motorcycles.
Is it safe to ride a Kawasaki motorcycle with recall 21V594 open?
Rear wheel lock-up is the safety risk in recall 21V594. If your VIN is included and the repair is still open, call a Kawasaki dealer before riding and ask how to move the motorcycle in for service. The dealer repair is free.
What if I bought this Kawasaki motorcycle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the motorcycle, not the first owner. If you never received Kawasaki's letter, check your VIN, then call a franchised Kawasaki dealer with recall number 21V594 or MC21-04.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V594000 |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki customer service | 1-866-802-9381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V594 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V594000 |
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 →