Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reports
6,800 miles · Nov 17, 2011
Electrical System
THE TACHOMETER NEEDLE BEGAN TO JUMP AROUND WILDLY AS IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE MEASURING RPMS OR AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE WITH THE CDI, STARTER RELAY SOLENOIDS, OR ANOTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE STARTER RELAY SIMPLY CLICKS WHEN PRESSI…
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THE TACHOMETER NEEDLE BEGAN TO JUMP AROUND WILDLY AS IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE MEASURING RPMS OR AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE WITH THE CDI, STARTER RELAY SOLENOIDS, OR ANOTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE STARTER RELAY SIMPLY CLICKS WHEN PRESSING THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE BATTERY HAS ADEQUATE CHARGE AND THIS ISSUE CAME ON SUDDENLY DURING A RIDE THAT HAD MANY SUCCESSFUL MILES OF HIGHWAY TRAVEL PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. REPLACING THE CDI DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BYPASSING THE STARTER RELAY DID NOT START THE ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436191
407 miles · Aug 10, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
2009 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R AFTER A PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN (~4 IN.) WATER WAS FOUND IN THE GAS TANK OF THE MOTORCYCLE. AFTER INSPECTION BY A KAWASAKI MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEALS FOR THE CAP WERE INTACT. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF RAIN AND THE INADEQUATE SIZE OF DRAINAGE HOLES ON THE CAP, WATER POOLED IN THE INDENTAT…
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2009 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R AFTER A PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN (~4 IN.) WATER WAS FOUND IN THE GAS TANK OF THE MOTORCYCLE. AFTER INSPECTION BY A KAWASAKI MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEALS FOR THE CAP WERE INTACT. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF RAIN AND THE INADEQUATE SIZE OF DRAINAGE HOLES ON THE CAP, WATER POOLED IN THE INDENTATIONS OF THE CAP CAUSING THE WATER TO DRAIN THROUGH THE KEY SLOT DIRECTLY INTO THE FUEL TANK. KAWASAKI REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PART OR COVER REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279934
300 miles · Jul 10, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
THIS AFFECTS 2008/2009 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R MOTORCYCLES. THE PROBLEM IS THE CDI OVERHEATS AND BEGINS GIVING FALSE TACHOMETER READINGS, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE EMISSION PROBLEMS. IT MOST OFTEN OCCURS IN TEMPERATURES ABOVE 60 DEGREES. THE MAIN SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THIS BIKE IS MOSTLY RIDDEN BY NEW RIDERS, THEY COULD READ THE TACHO…
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THIS AFFECTS 2008/2009 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R MOTORCYCLES. THE PROBLEM IS THE CDI OVERHEATS AND BEGINS GIVING FALSE TACHOMETER READINGS, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE EMISSION PROBLEMS. IT MOST OFTEN OCCURS IN TEMPERATURES ABOVE 60 DEGREES. THE MAIN SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THIS BIKE IS MOSTLY RIDDEN BY NEW RIDERS, THEY COULD READ THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER AND ASSUME THEY WERE NOT IN TOP GEAR IN WHICH THEY ACTUALLY WERE, UPON TRYING TO UPSHIFT INTO A NON-EXISTENT GEAR THE RESULTING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH COULD LEAD TO A REAR WHEEL SPINOUT AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276373
51 miles · May 27, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL CAP MADE A SQUEAKING SOUND. WHEN HE UNLOCKED THE FUEL CAP, IT POPPED OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL CAP MADE A SQUEAKING SOUND. WHEN HE UNLOCKED THE FUEL CAP, IT POPPED OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51.
NHTSA ODI #10229024
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year