Recall 22V912 affects 3,172 2015-2023 Kawasaki Ninja and Z H2 motorcycles for camshaft chain tensioner lockup. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Kawasaki is recalling 3,172 2015-2023 motorcycles including the Ninja H2, Z H2, and Ninja 1000 because the camshaft chain tensioner plunger can lock and stall the engine while riding. An engine stall while riding can increase crash or injury risk, and Kawasaki dealers will repair the camshaft chain tensioner free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The camshaft chain tensioner on these 2015-2023 Kawasaki motorcycles keeps the camshaft chain tight as the engine runs. That chain keeps the engine's valve timing in step with the crankshaft, so the intake and exhaust valves open at the right time. The tensioner uses an internal plunger to hold steady pressure on the chain.
On affected Ninja H2, Z H2, Ninja H2 Sx, Ninja 1000, ZR1000L, ZX1002R, ZX1002J, ZR1000K, ZX1002A, ZX1002D, and ZR1002L motorcycles, internal tensioner parts deteriorate during use. The plunger can lock instead of moving as needed. When that happens, chain tension is no longer controlled correctly, and the engine can stall while riding.
The warning sign is an abnormal noise from the right side of the engine. If you hear that noise, treat it as a recall warning and contact a Kawasaki dealer before riding farther.
Who's affected?
Spans Kawasaki sport and naked motorcycles from 2015 through 2023, all tied to the same camshaft-chain tensioner.
| 2020 Kawasaki Ninja H2 | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2020 Kawasaki Z H2 | Engine |
| 2020 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | Engine |
| 2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 | Engine |
| 2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | Engine |
| 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Sx | Engine |
| 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 | Engine |
| 2021 Kawasaki ZR1000L | Engine |
| 2022 Kawasaki ZX1002R | Engine |
| 2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 | Engine |
| 2022 Kawasaki ZX1002J | Engine |
| 2022 Kawasaki ZR1000L | Engine |
| 2022 Kawasaki ZR1000K | Engine |
| 2023 Kawasaki ZR1000K | Engine |
| 2021 Kawasaki ZR1000K | Engine |
| 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 | Engine |
| 2016 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 | Engine |
| 2018 Kawasaki ZX1002A | Engine |
| 2019 Kawasaki ZX1002D | Engine |
| 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 | Engine |
| 2023 Kawasaki ZR1002L | Engine |
| Units affected | 3,172 |
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?
An engine stall while riding can increase the risk of a crash or injury. An abnormal noise from the right side of the engine is the warning sign to treat seriously. If you hear it, stop riding, keep the motorcycle in a safe place, and call a Kawasaki dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2023 Kawasaki Ninja H2, Z H2, Ninja H2 Sx, Ninja 1000, ZR1000L, ZX1002R, ZX1002J, ZR1000K, ZX1002A, ZX1002D, or ZR1002L motorcycle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the free camshaft-chain-tensioner replacement that fixes the plunger lockup linked to engine stalling.
- Bring the owner notice if Kawasaki mailed one. If not, reference recall number 22V912 when you call.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete, and keep extra room to react if the engine stalls.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kawasaki technician replaces the camshaft chain tensioner covered by recall 22V912. The replacement part and labor are free under the recall now. If you paid to correct this camshaft chain tensioner failure before receiving the owner letter, Kawasaki offers full or partial reimbursement for documented repair costs. To apply, send copies of current owner and VIN information, repair orders, and payment confirmation to Kawasaki Customer Care.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 9, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| December 19, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 21, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 21, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V912?
Recall 22V912 covers 3,172 2015-2023 Kawasaki motorcycles with a camshaft chain tensioner plunger that can lock and stall the engine while riding. Kawasaki dealers will replace the camshaft chain tensioner for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2023 Kawasaki Ninja H2, Z H2, Ninja H2 Sx, Ninja 1000, ZR1000L, ZX1002R, ZX1002J, ZR1000K, ZX1002A, ZX1002D, or ZR1002L is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 22V912. If it is, contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the camshaft chain tensioner replacement. Reference recall number 22V912 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kawasaki's remedy says dealers will replace the camshaft chain tensioner free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an engine stall while riding. If the camshaft chain tensioner plunger locks, the engine can stall and increase the risk of a crash or injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair before taking unnecessary rides.
When were owners notified about recall 22V912?
Kawasaki mailed owner notification letters on December 21, 2022. Used motorcycle buyers and owners who moved since then still need to check the VIN, because the recall follows the motorcycle, not the first owner.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V912000 |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki customer service | 1-866-802-9381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V912 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V912000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →