Kawasaki Ninja 250R maintenance schedule & recalls

2000–2026

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Maintenance schedule

General guidance

Typical intervals, not model-verified. Confirm against your owner’s manual. Factory-verified schedule coming soon.

Service Interval
Oil & filter every 4,000 mi or 6 months
Chain & sprockets every 600 mi or 3 months
Brakes every 12 months
Valve adjustment every 16,000 mi or 24 months
Battery every 12 months
Spark plugs every 8,000 mi or 24 months
Fluids/coolant every 24 months

Recalls

NHTSA · refreshed 5 days ago
20V676000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission affects 2018, 2019

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Ninja H2 SX, Ninja H2 SXSE, and 2019-2020 Ninja H2 SXSE+ motorcycles. In the event of a gear misengagement the engine electronic control unit (ECU) programming doesn't have the capability to suppress high RPM during transmission. If the transmission gears are not properly engaged while shifting into 4th or 5th gear, high engine RPM can cause the output gears of 4th or 5th to fracture when the gears re-engage.

Remedy: KMC will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owners are advised to not ride their motorcycle until the repair has been completed. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. KMC's number for this recall is MC20-10.

12V081000 · Structure affects 2012

KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 EX250JCF/A/AL/L NINJA 250, EX650ECF/L NINJA 650 AND KLE650CCF/L VERSYS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 THROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2011. DUE TO ENGINE VIBRATION AND DAMAGE DURING ASSEMBLY, THE CIRCLIPS ON THE FOOTPEG MOUNTING PINS CAN BREAK AND FALL OFF AND CAUSE THE FOOTPEG TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.

Remedy: KAWASAKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER FOOTPEG PIN CIRCLIPS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.

08V115000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings affects 2008

KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2008 EX250J8F AND EX250J8FL MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE MAY BE DAMAGED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF USE. THE BRAKE HOSE TENDS TO DEFLECT FORWARD DURING SUSPENSION TRAVEL. THIS ALLOWS THE BRAKE HOSE TO CONTACT THE EDGE OF THE FRONT FORK OUTER TUBE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE BRACKET. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.

08V158000 · Engine And Engine Cooling affects 2008

KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 487 MY 2008 EX250J8F AND EX250J8FL MOTORCYCLES. AN ENGINE CRANKCASE VENT HOLE IN THE AIR FILTER BOX MAY BE BLOCKED. IF SO, AIR PRESSURE CAN BUILD UP INSIDE THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE CYLINDER HEAD COVER GASKET TO FAIL AND LEAK OIL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AIR FILTER BOX AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.

08V052000 · Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights affects 2008

KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 532 MY 2008 NINJA EX250J8F AND EX250J8FL MOTORCYCLES. THE TAIL LIGHT BULB MAY PREMATURELY FAIL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHT BULB FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 866-802-9381.

07V003000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage affects 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

ON CERTAIN NINJA MOTORCYCLES, THE FUEL TANK MAY HAVE BEEN PUNCTURED OR WEAKENED BY A FAIRING MOUNTING SCREW OR MANUFACTURING OPERATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE THE TANK IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.

02V324000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator affects 2001, 2002, 2003

ON CERTAIN 2000 ZX1200-A1/A1-L, 2001 ZX1200-A2/A2-L, AND 2002-2003 ZX1200-B1/B1-L MOTORCYCLES, OIL LEAKING FROM THE ALTERNATOR LEAD ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR CAN BE DEPOSITED ONTO THE REAR TIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SEAL THE ALTERNATOR LEAD WIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN BEGIN DECEMBER 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400.

99V337000 · Power Train:Clutch Assembly affects 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE BACK TORQUE LIMITER IN THE CLUTCH COULD MALFUNCTION AND ALLOW THE CLUTCH TO SLIP EXCESSIVELY, OR NOT RE-ENGAGE AFTER A SHIFT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE CERTAIN PARTS OF THE CLUTCH.

18V580000 · Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand affects 2018

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE (ZXT02BJ) motorcycles. The pin for the center stand spring may have been improperly welded, and, as a result, the pin may shift or fall off resulting in the spring detaching and the center stand dropping to the ground unexpectedly and dragging while riding.

Remedy: Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left center stand bracket, free of charge. Owners may contact Kawasaki customer service at 1-866-802-9381. Kawasaki's number for this recall is MC18-05.

00V365000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly affects 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. A LEAKING VENT PIPE IN THE FUEL TANK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO DRAIN ONTO THE GROUND.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSERT A SUPPORTING BRACE INTO THE TANK TO DAMPEN ANY EFFECTS OF VIBRATION ON THE VENT PIPE.

00V384000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly affects 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL GAUGE AND LOW FUEL WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ACCURATE INDICATION OF LOW FUEL LEVELS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL GAUGE SENDING COMPONENTS.

Common questions

How often should the oil & filter be serviced on a Kawasaki Ninja 250R?

Service every 4,000 mi or 6 months for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R (2000–2026) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).

How often should the chain & sprockets be serviced on a Kawasaki Ninja 250R?

Service every 600 mi or 3 months for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R (2000–2026) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).

How often should the brakes be serviced on a Kawasaki Ninja 250R?

Service every 12 months for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R (2000–2026) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).

How often should the valve adjustment be serviced on a Kawasaki Ninja 250R?

Service every 16,000 mi or 24 months for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R (2000–2026) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).