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: 2 of 2 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.
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Wheels. 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
2 reports
3,600 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Engine
WHILE RIDING MY NEW MOTORCYCLE THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND SPRAYED MOTOR OIL IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. I LOST TRACTION AND ALMOST CRASHED. THE OIL WAS ALSO ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND WAS SMOKING BADLY - IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND THAT THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE ENG…
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WHILE RIDING MY NEW MOTORCYCLE THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND SPRAYED MOTOR OIL IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. I LOST TRACTION AND ALMOST CRASHED. THE OIL WAS ALSO ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND WAS SMOKING BADLY - IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND THAT THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THE OIL PUMP COVER LEAKS, WHICH CAUSES OIL STARVATION TO CRITICAL BEARINGS IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. AN AFTERMARKET COMPANY, MUZZY, SELLS A STRONGER OIL PUMP COVER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM... BUT I FEEL THAT KAWASAKI SHOULD CORRECT THEIR OWN DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE CONTACTED KAWASAKI ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY CLAIM TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT. I KNOW THAT THIS IS UNTRUE SINCE THEY HAVE HAD WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THEY SENT A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT ENGINE TO THEIR DEALER IN AUGUSTA, GA IN DECEMBER 2012 TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE OF SOMEONE ELSE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO. I FEEL THAT THIS DESIGN FLAW POSES A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. BOTH THE RIDER AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD ARE AT RISK WHEN AN ENGINE EXPLODES AND OIL IS SPRAYED OUT. MY MOTORCYCLE IS A 2012 KAWASAKI ZX14R NINJA, PURCHASED NEW WITH 0 MILES. I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER APRIL 12, 2013 AND HAD IT ONLY 49 DAYS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. OIL AND FILTER WERE CHANGED AT 55 MILES, 550 MILES, AND 2400 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520363
5,000 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Wheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KAWASAKI ZX14R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH WHEELS WERE BENT FROM NORMAL RIDING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHEELS AT $1200 EACH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT OF THE WHEELS AND OFFERED NO OTHER A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KAWASAKI ZX14R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH WHEELS WERE BENT FROM NORMAL RIDING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHEELS AT $1200 EACH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT OF THE WHEELS AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA ODI #10465855
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.
2012 Kawasaki ZX1400 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year