The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja has 2 recalls, both carrying crash risk: a center stand that can drop and drag on the ground unexpectedly, and an ECU software issue that can lock up the engine during a gear misengagement.
On the structural side, the center stand spring pin can shift or fall off, releasing the stand while riding. The dragging stand can cause the rider to lose control. The software recall affects the engine's control unit, which lacks the ability to suppress high RPM when a gear misengagement occurs, potentially damaging the gears, preventing shifting, and causing the engine to seize.
At a glance
What can fail
When shifting into 4th or 5th gear, if the transmission gears don't engage properly, the engine control unit cannot limit RPM, causing the output gears to fracture when they re-engage.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the engine control unit software to suppress high RPM during transmission gear shifts.
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Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The pin holding the center stand spring may have been improperly welded. The pin can shift or fall off, causing the spring to detach and the center stand to drop and drag while riding.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the left center stand bracket at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
