The defect
Kawasaki Motor Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2024 Ninja 500 (ABS, KRT Edition, KRT Edition SE ABS, SE ABS, SE 40th Anniversary Edition ABS), Z500 ABS, and Z500 SE ABS motorcycles. The clutch release shaft was not properly welded, which can cause the clutch lever to break apart.
The risk
A broken clutch release lever may not disengage, disabling the motorcycle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the clutch release shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2025. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. KMC's number for this recall is MC25-04.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki Ninja 500 | 2024 |
| Kawasaki Z500 | 2024 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Ninja 500 | 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| Kawasaki Z500 | 2024 | 0 | 1 |
Other power train recalls in 2025
41 of the 891 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2025 concerned the power train; Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. filed 37 campaigns in all.
| 25V881000 18 Dec 2025 | Ford Motor Company |
| 25V866000 12 Dec 2025 | Ford Motor Company |
| 25V860000 12 Dec 2025 | Ford Motor Company |
| 25V863000 12 Dec 2025 | Ford Motor Company |
| 25V723000 23 Oct 2025 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 25V705000 16 Oct 2025 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 25V702000 15 Oct 2025 | International Motors, LLC |
| 25V703000 15 Oct 2025 | International Motors, LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2025