2002 Kawasaki Kawasaki problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Power Train:clutch Assembly (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kawasaki Kawasaki model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
What owners report
2004-07-29 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 13,000 mi“kawasaki klr650 cam chain balancer/idler shaft lever failed prematurely. the bike had only 13,000 miles and is a 2002 model year.*ak…”
2004-04-01 · Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm · 15 mi · 💥 crash“the consumer stated that while his wife was riding a motorcycle, the knuckle that held the frame to the shock absorber broke. when this part broke, the passenger was thrown off the motorcycle, which then rolled down a hil and land on the wheels. while rolling down the hill, the motorcycle rolled over the consumer's wife, and caused minor injurie…”
2004-01-20 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly · 750 mi“on 12/7/03 my wife was riding her 2002 650 kawasaki prairie. we were riding with friends so verification of the circumstances surrounding this complaint is available if necessary. her machine experienced what could be a life threatining failure. the tie rod end came out of the adjustment bar. the threads were not stipped, the bar was intack, …”
2003-10-24 · Vehicle Speed Control · 3,293 mi“2002 kawasaki zzr1200. speedometer does not hold steady. it fluctuates as much as 10 mph thereby not giving an accurate indication of speed. dealer has replaced the cable, drive gear, speedometer; all with no improvement. according to kawasaki vice president of technical services, gary herzog, speedometer oscillation is a design characteristic for …”
2003-10-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 25,000 mi“i own a 2002 kawasaki zzr-1200 motorcycle. i experienced severe pitting on my cam shafts noticed by my mechanic and well documented on www.zzr1200.net website by numerous other zzr-1200 owners. kawasaki did warranty the damaged cam shafts but only because i purchased their extended warranty contract. i m quite concerned that this problem was not…”
2003-10-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 6,800 mi“i own a 02 kawasaki zzr 1200 and during a self 7500 tune-up noticed pitting on my cam lobes. i then took the bike to a local dealership and had a mechanic take a look. he agreed with me that this is not normal wear and that he would contact kawasaki and see if they would replace the cams under warranty. i have an extended warranty that covers me…”
2003-06-18 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine“while driving at any speed and without warning bike will shut off causing consumer to pull over. dealer notified.*ak…”
2003-06-18 · Power Train:driveline · 1,920 mi“motor and electrical system shuts down while driving,no warning. every thing goes dead. has a whinning and vibration in motor train. very dangerous when driving at night. *nlm…”
2002-10-15 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine“consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the engine will lock up and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle and the consumer will be force to pull over. dealer notified. mr…”
2002-08-27 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“model name "mule" 3010; this four-wheel drive vehicle has a governor mechanism which engaged in reverse and lunged backwards with brakes having no affect. a tree was struck in th process, almost squeezing the child's head. please describe details. *ak…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.