Recall 25V798 affects 19,823 2024-2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R motorcycles for engine power loss. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the stall. Do not drive or ride the motorcycle until the repair is complete, arrange towing if it needs to move. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
Kawasaki is recalling 19,823 2024-2026 Ninja ZX-6R motorcycles because a metal crankshaft bushing can seize and cause the engine to lose power during operation. Do not drive an included motorcycle until a Kawasaki dealer completes the free repair, because an engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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What's wrong?
The crankcase on the 2024-2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R holds the lower engine together and supports the crankshaft, the rotating shaft that turns piston motion into power at the rear wheel. Inside that case, the #5 metal crankshaft bushing works as a bearing surface. It keeps the crankshaft aligned and separated from the case by a thin film of engine oil.
On affected motorcycles, the bolts that clamp the crankcase together can apply too much axial force, even after the prior repair process. That force changes the oil clearance between the crankshaft and the #5 bushing. With too little clearance, the bushing does not get enough lubrication, the metal surface becomes damaged, and the bushing can seize against the crankshaft.
There is no warning sign before failure. Kawasaki says the motorcycle can lose engine power during operation when the bushing seizes, so the problem is not something an owner can reliably detect by sound, feel, or a dashboard warning first.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 model years of the Ninja ZX-6R, all tied to the same crankcase set.
| 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
|---|---|
| 2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| Units affected | 19,823 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 4 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?
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the stall. Do not drive or ride the motorcycle until the repair is complete, arrange towing if it needs to move. Repair is free at any franchised Kawasaki dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2024-2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R is included in this recall.
- Do not drive or ride the motorcycle until the crankshaft-bushing repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow or trailer transport 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 crankshaft-bushing re-tightening that addresses the engine-stall risk.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 25V798 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not ride the motorcycle until this repair is complete. At the dealer, a Kawasaki technician re-tightens the metal crankshaft bushing covered by the recall. Parts and labor are free. Motorcycles previously repaired under recall 25V376 still need this new remedy, so tell the service desk if that earlier recall work was already done. If you already paid to correct this failure before receiving the owner letter, Kawasaki's reimbursement plan lets you request full or partial repayment by sending current owner and VIN information, repair orders, and payment confirmation to Kawasaki Customer Care.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 18, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 25, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 12, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| December 12, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 15, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V798?
Recall 25V798 covers 19,823 2024-2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R motorcycles with a metal crankshaft bushing that can seize and cause loss of engine power during operation. An engine stall increases crash risk. Kawasaki dealers will re-tighten the bushing for free.
What should I do if my 2024-2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 25V798. Do not drive or ride it until the dealer completes the repair. Contact a franchised Kawasaki dealer to schedule the crankshaft-bushing repair, and reference recall 25V798 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kawasaki dealers will re-tighten the metal crankshaft bushing for free. This applies even if the motorcycle was bought used.
What does 'do not drive' mean for this Kawasaki recall?
Do not drive or ride the motorcycle until the recall repair is complete. Kawasaki advised owners not to ride because the engine can stall during operation, which increases crash risk. If the motorcycle has to be moved, ask the dealer about safe transport.
When were owners notified about recall 25V798?
Kawasaki mailed owner notification letters on December 15, 2025. If you did not receive a letter, check your VIN because the year and model are not enough to confirm coverage. Motorcycles previously repaired under recall 25V376 need the new remedy performed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V798000 |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki customer service | (855) 878-4217 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V798 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V798000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →