2024–2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R Recall

By Dave Nagel | Powered by premium unleaded and sarcasm

Houston, We Have a Crankshaft Problem

If you recently threw a leg over your brand-new 2024 or 2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R, revved it like you were Valentino Rossi’s long-lost cousin, and blasted off to canyon-carve your soul back into alignment—well, hit the brakes. Literally.

Kawasaki just hit the “pause button” on your supersport dreams with a massive safety recall affecting nearly 18,000 bikes. It’s serious. We’re talking engine-seizing, rear-wheel-locking kind of serious. The kind of issue that can turn a spirited ride into a surprise low-side if ignored.

What’s the Problem?

The #5 crankshaft bushing on some ZX-6Rs has been living a tortured life, thanks to over-torqued bolts at the factory. Instead of gliding in a silky oil bath, this poor bushing is being squished tighter than leathers after taco night. This reduces oil clearance and can cause the engine to seize. Imagine hitting 10,000 rpm in third gear, only to suddenly feel like your engine is trying to reenact a granite boulder stopping mid-roll. No bueno.

Affected Models

Model Years: 2024–2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R

Build Dates: April 3, 2023 – April 28, 2025

Includes: KRT Edition, ABS models, 40th Anniversary Edition (sorry, nostalgia fans)

NHTSA Recall Number: 25V376

Potentially Affected Units: 17,792 (with a ~1% estimated defect rate)

That 1% might sound small—until you're the 1%.

Should You Ride It?

No. Nope. Nuh-uh.

Park it. Cover it. Tell it bedtime stories if you must, but do not ride it. Both the NHTSA and Kawasaki issued a "Stop Ride/Stop Sale" advisory. That means your bike shouldn’t be on the road or even sold at a dealership—until the issue is fixed. Think of it like a very expensive time-out for your bike, for its own good… and yours.

The Fix: 

Kawi’s dealers will inspect your engine and do one of two things:

Verify all is good and properly torqued (yay!)

Or replace crankshaft components if needed (double yay, but more wrenching)

What You Should Do Next

1. Look up your VIN at the NHTSA recall site or contact Kawasaki directly.

2. Call your dealership to schedule an inspection. Don’t just show up like it’s Sunday brunch—these bikes are grounded until cleared.

3. Stop riding immediately if you haven’t already. This is not the kind of “it probably won’t happen to me” situation you want to test at 90 mph.

4. Keep records of the service—just in case you want to sell it later or need proof of the fix.

5. Take a deep breath. This is a pain, yes, but it’s better than a high side into the afterlife.

From the Forums

Reddit and Facebook ZX-6R groups are buzzing:

“I just bought mine 3 weeks ago. Dealer says it’s not safe to ride—bike’s in quarantine like it’s 2020 all over again.”

“ZX-6R is a weapon. But a seized engine mid-lean? That's like Russian roulette on two wheels.”

—Track day bro who now owns a Prius (temporarily).

Final Thoughts: Don’t Be the Hero

I love these bikes. The ZX-6R is the unsung hero of the supersport world. It’s agile, aggressive, and gives 1000cc vibes at a 600cc calorie count. But if there’s ever a time to follow recall instructions to the letter, it’s when your engine might suddenly turn into a paperweight mid-ride.

So:

Respect the recall

Get it fixed

Ride safe

And once it’s all sorted, wring that throttle like it owes you money—with confidence.

Sources:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Recall No. 25V376

Kawasaki Motors USA Official Recall Bulletins

Kawasaki dealer service notifications

ZX-6R rider discussions on Reddit and Facebook groups

BIO: Dave Nagel is the throttle happy mind behind Throttle Life Daily, where motorcycles aren’t just a hobby—they’re a daily lifestyle. With years of two-wheeled experience and a talent for storytelling, Dave turns everyday rides into road-tested wisdom, gear reviews, and hilariously relatable moto-adventures.

Disclaimer:

This article is intended for general informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional mechanical advice. For the most accurate, up-to-date, and model-specific information regarding recalls, service bulletins, and safety advisories, please refer directly to Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., or your nearest authorized Kawasaki dealership. Always follow manufacturer recommendations and NHTSA guidelines. The author assumes no liability for actions taken based on the content of this article.