Kawasaki Faces N.H.T.S.A. Inquiry Over Possible Stalling Issue

39169 Views 122 Replies 60 Participants Last post by webb68918, 5 d ago

OttawaMark

Discussion Starter · Jun 25, 2013

NY Times article:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating a possible stalling problem that could affect almost 10,000 Kawasaki motorcycles. The inquiry covers 2013 Ninja 300 models, according to a report posted on the agency’s Web site.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/201...-a-inquiry-over-possible-stalling-issue/?_r=0

Reactions: 5

81 - 100 of 123 Posts

koozi

· #81 · Jul 20, 2013

For the record, my daughter has owned '13 300se about 2 months and has about 700 miles.

She has had the occasional stalling issues and had it back to the dealer within 2 weeks of purchase for them to look at it.

Friday the dealer called her out of the blue and said they had a new ECM that Kawasaki sent as the "fix" for the stalling issues. She went in this morning for the replacement.

It took about 15 minutes to install and she was on her way. She put about 30 miles on it since then, 10 or so in the rain. No stalling--yet.

The dealer asked her to call them in a week to update them on how the "fix" worked.

Has anybody else heard about this yet?

Skinnyminnie

· #82 · Jul 20, 2013

This sounds promising! But no word from my dealer about this yet.

kevin69

· #83 · Jul 20, 2013 (Edited)

Mistic107 said:
Guys, please use the link below and fill out a complaint with the NHTSA if you have not already.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml

this is what i sent to them

i have found that during approximately the first 10 min you are riding the bike, if you are above 3500 rpm and pull in the clutch and coast for an extended period of time the vehicle will stall. i have learned to watch for the stall but it will still catch you off guard on ocation when you let go of the clutch and want to go and the bike lurches and throws off your balance. especially in a turn!!!

I am still trying to teach myself not to pull in the clutch and coast during this period, but it is a hard habit to break.

Ilya

· #84 · Jul 20, 2013

I haven't stalled yet in 1,500 miles. Is it because I never coast with the clutch pulled in? I've ridden the bike without warming it up for a while and with it warm. I'd be interesting to see if we could get some information together on which bikes (from manufacture date) are doing this to see if it was just a bad batch.

tmd

· #85 · Jul 20, 2013

How is your temperature there? Usually when the gas tank baked in the sun it's when it stalls. It first started for me in may, when the weather really warm up.

kevin69

· #86 · Jul 20, 2013

tmd said:
How is your temperature there? Usually when the gas tank baked in the sun it's when it stalls. It first started for me in may, when the weather really warm up.

I am in ohio so temp is all over the place lol

it got worse when it got hotter. it happened only a couple times in the morning. more in the evening on my drive home from work. my bike sets under a roof while it sets so it does not bake in the sun. but it always does it when i pull in the clutch to get ready for a turn or downshift and i let the rpm's keep going to zero. and it only seems to happen during the first 5 to 10 min i am on it. in other terms "warmup period"

tmd

· #87 · Jul 20, 2013

Even if you let the bike warm up , it'll do it still. Call your dealer and have them address the problem to Kawasaki. I've had the new ECU in my bike for a few days now, so far, it hasn't stall since the replacement.

I took it out for a spin a bit ago after it baking in the sun for 5 hours at work, the rpm never drop below 1200. So I believe they solve the problem with the new ECU. I will keep you guys posted after another week or so.

BTW, it's 98° F atm lol it's pretty hot, usually my bike dies several times before I make it home.

Woomba

· #88 · Aug 2, 2013

Kawi Canada: ECU Replacement and ABS inspection/replacement

Interesting news. I just received this message from my dealer:

"Kawasaki Canada has just released 2 new campaigns on 2013 ninja 300, one related to ecu replacement, and the other is related to abs unit inspection and possible replacement pending on inspection results. You will receive a letter from Kawasaki in regards to this as will all other ninja 300 owners of 2013 models. I am to understand no parts are available as of yet and they are working on this as quick as they can."

At this time, I was only aware of the ABS recall in the USA. No mention of affected Canadian models. But it seems they are at the very least going to inspect my ABS.

The really interesting bit is the ECU replacement. I imagine this is directly related to the bike stalling. If they plan to update or replace the ECU on my bike I will let you guys know.

On the flip side, my fairings are still popping and my exhaust continues to rust, including the replacement heat shield. I'm just that lucky I guess

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HydrogenMatrix

· #89 · Aug 2, 2013

I hear ya, fairing pop, and rust exhaust, but im not complaining, atleast I can still take it out and do whatever, I feel so bad for the people with the stall, thats just crazy

trb1031

· #90 · Aug 2, 2013

ECU ordered for Stalling issue

I just got off the phone with my dealer and they have confirmed a recall for the ECU to be replaced to resolve stalling issue. They have ordered a new ECU and ABS modulator for the ABS recall as well. We will see if I notice a difference as I have only stalled twice.

Matt300

· #91 · Aug 3, 2013

3000 miles here and never have had this issue. I rarely pull the clutch in and coast though either. If that's what is causing it how far long into the coast does the stall happen?

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cybrsnipr

· #92 · Aug 3, 2013

Matt300 said:
3000 miles here and never have had this issue. I rarely pull the clutch in and coast though either. If that's what is causing it how far long into the coast does the stall happen?

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Usually happens to me within the 1st mile or two of riding. I always rev match when downshifting I pull the clutch in when in 2nd gear to come to a stop then my rpms drop to zero and the motor dies. It has only happened 5 times in 3100 miles but I'm glad to see that Kawasaki is doing something about it. I went to the dealer yesterday to buy oil and a filter and their 300 model on the showroom floor had a sign saying not for sale / recall. I asked the service dept why the 300 is being recalled. They handed me a paper that said Ninja 300 recall for ABS and ECU. It also said DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE INSTALLED. They said to expect a recall notice in the mail.

S4cruiser

· #93 · Aug 10, 2013

Just got a letter from Kawasaki USA today re: stalling issue safety recall which requires the ecu to be replaced.

Sorry if this is a repost...I don't get on here that often.

Roxanne

· #94 · Aug 11, 2013

Abs only?

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ArcticNinja

· #95 · Aug 11, 2013

My bike stalls every time I get on it. I'll start off and as soon as the clutch goes in and the throttle goes off it dies. It will do this for tge first 10 to 20 minutes of riding. I can start it and let it idle from any where from a minute to 10 minutes. It doesn't matter how long I let it warm up, it will always stall. Good thing I get my Nina back on Monday. My ECU is already here. It came in today.

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Steveo

· #96 · Aug 12, 2013

Just got the recall on the problem and we all have to take r bike to the dealership for free. and they will fix it, bullshit I don't want to take my bike back there

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jeff

· #97 · Aug 12, 2013

Steveo said:
Just got the recall on the problem and we all have to take r bike to the dealership for free. and they will fix it, bullshit I don't want to take my bike back there

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Take it to another one, you can have it done at any Kawasaki dealer as far as I know.

Kairus

· #98 · Aug 12, 2013

I've had my bike stall a few times. Always the same conditions, leaving work I will start it up, let it warm up for ~30 seconds or so (I short shift until it's warmed up), drive away and in the same parking lot there's a stop sign, when I pull the clutch in it'll stall. It doesn't happen that often, but it's happened 3-4 times. Once my bike is warmed up though, I've never had it stall.

I guess I'll still have the ECU changed if my dealership doesn't make it a hassle.

Darkwings

· #99 · Aug 12, 2013

took my bike in to the dealer, they will be replacing the ABS pump and ECU free of charge, they were already aware of the recalls when i called them thursday. well see how it goes

DarkNinja300

· #100 · Aug 13, 2013

I just got a letter in the mail today from Kawasaki about a recall for the stalling issue. It says, DO NOT RIDE the motorcycle before getting the dealer to do the replacement. So I will be going in for that.

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81 - 100 of 123 Posts