2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 and Z500 Recalled for Clutch Lever Breakage

Agency Publication Date: March 6, 2025

Summary

Kawasaki is recalling 3,742 of its 2024 Ninja 500 and Z500 motorcycles because a welding defect in the clutch release shaft can cause the clutch lever to break. If the lever breaks, the rider may be unable to disengage the clutch, which can disable the motorcycle during use. Owners are advised to take their motorcycle to an authorized dealer to have the clutch release shaft replaced free of charge.

Risk

A broken clutch lever prevents the rider from disengaging the clutch, which can cause the motorcycle to stall or prevent it from shifting. This sudden loss of control significantly increases the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do

This recall involves 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 (ABS, KRT Edition, KRT Edition SE ABS, SE ABS, and SE 40th Anniversary Edition ABS) and Z500 (ABS and SE ABS) motorcycles.
Schedule an appointment with an authorized Kawasaki dealer to have the clutch release shaft replaced at no cost to you.
Contact Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) customer service at 1-866-802-9381 and refer to recall number MC25-04 for more information.
Call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov/recalls for additional information.

Your Remedy Options

Free Repair

Free replacement of the clutch release shaft.

How to: Dealers will replace the clutch release shaft, free of charge. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381.

Affected Products

Product: Ninja 500

Variants: ABS, KRT Edition, KRT Edition SE ABS, SE ABS, SE 40th Anniversary Edition ABS

Recall Campaign 25V146

Product: Z500

Variants: ABS, SE ABS

Recall Campaign 25V146

Additional Information

Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Recall ID: 25V146000

Status: Active

Manufacturer: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

Sold By: Kawasaki dealers

Units Affected: 3,742 vehicles(1% estimated defective)

Park Vehicle: No

Park Outside: No

OTA Update: No

Product Type: Vehicle (V)

Recall Classification: Safety Defect

Owner Notification Date: March 24, 2025

Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Distributed To: Nationwide

Manufacturer Recall #: MC25-04

Agency Last Updated: October 3, 2025

Were You Affected by This Recall?

If you or a family member were harmed by this recalled product, you may have legal rights. Consider consulting a consumer protection attorney to understand your options for compensation.

Find an Attorney

This is general information, not legal advice. Go Backs is not a law firm and does not provide legal services.

AI-Enhanced Content: The summary, action steps, and risk assessment on this page were generated by AI from official government recall data to improve readability. This is not legal or medical advice. Always refer to the official agency sources below for authoritative information.

Sources: NHTSA Notice · Raw API Response

Summary

What You Should Do

This recall involves 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 (ABS, KRT Edition, KRT Edition SE ABS, SE ABS, and SE 40th Anniversary Edition ABS) and Z500 (ABS and SE ABS) motorcycles.

Schedule an appointment with an authorized Kawasaki dealer to have the clutch release shaft replaced at no cost to you.

Contact Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) customer service at 1-866-802-9381 and refer to recall number MC25-04 for more information.

Call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov/recalls for additional information.

Additional Information

Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Recall ID: 25V146000

Status: Active

Manufacturer: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

Sold By: Kawasaki dealers

Units Affected: 3,742 vehicles(1% estimated defective)

Park Vehicle: No

Park Outside: No

OTA Update: No

Product Type: Vehicle (V)

Recall Classification: Safety Defect

Owner Notification Date: March 24, 2025

Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Distributed To: Nationwide

Manufacturer Recall #: MC25-04

Agency Last Updated: October 3, 2025