The back half of 2024 has been a rough time for two of the newest bikes in Kawasaki's lineup: the 2024 Ninja 7 Hybrid ABS and the 2024 Z7 Hybrid ABS. In September, there was a stop sale, stop ride recall notice for an ECU issue with both bikes. And now fast forward to November and Kawasaki Motors Corp USA just issued a second stop sale, stop ride recall for both the 2024 Ninja 7 Hybrid ABS and 2024 Z7 Hybrid ABS, for a completely different reason.
What's the problem? This time, the issue stems from an improperly welded steering head-to-frame connection. Because of this improper weld, the connection may crack, which could negatively impact motorcycle handling and rider control. This could, in turn, increase the risk of a crash.
Approximately 299 motorcycles across both the Z7 Hybrid and Ninja 7 Hybrid lineup may be affected, which represents about one percent of the population.
Affected bikes were produced between March 5, 2024 and April 1, 2024, and have VINs ranging from ML5CXGA17RDA02646 to ML5CXGA14RDA03172 and ML5CRGA12RDA02449 to ML5CRGA12RDA03438. The issue relates to parts and work performed by Kawasaki Motors Limited itself, and is not related to any outside parts supplier.
On November 7, 2024, Kawasaki Motors Corporation USA issued a stop sale, stop ride notice to its entire dealership network regarding 2024 Ninja 7 Hybrid ABS and 2024 Z7 Hybrid ABS models because of this issue. The notice instructs dealers to immediately discontinue sales of both bikes, as well as submit product registrations for all bikes sold prior to the issuance of this stop sale notice.
Kawasaki also says that it expects to issue an official remedy to this issue by the end of November. In the meantime, it is also sending a separate notice to owners of Ninja 7 and Z7 Hybrids, instructing them not to ride their bikes until further notice because of this issue. A second letter will be sent to owners informing them of the remedy once it is available.
Kawasaki's campaign number for this recall is 24-35 MC. Owners may contact Kawasaki's Customer Care Department at 866-802-9381 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Kawasaki requests that any owners who make this phone call please have their VIN handy to discuss the issue.
Additionally, owners may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
