2021 Kawasaki (3 models) Engine & Cooling Recall 20V774000 (Kawasaki MC20-13)
NHTSA recall 20V774000 (Kawasaki recall MC20-13) covers about 1,770 2021 Kawasaki (3 models) vehicles (engine & cooling), filed with NHTSA Dec 11, 2020. NHTSA lists a DO-NOT-DRIVE advisory: owners should not drive these vehicles until the repair is done.
Source: NHTSA campaign 20V774000 · Data as of Nov 6, 2026 · By CarWhere Research
Do not drive: NHTSA safety advisory
NHTSA lists a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign. Owners should not drive affected vehicles until the recall repair is done.
What's recalled
Component: Engine & cooling (engine, hard parts internal/mechanical)
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) is recalling certain 2021 Z400 ABS (ER400D), Ninja 400 (EX400H) and Ninja 400 ABS (EX400G) motorcycles. The strength of the camshaft chain tensioner may be insufficient due to improper heat treatment, possibly causing it to be damaged.
The risk
A damaged camshaft chain tensioner can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy and its status
KMC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the camshaft chain tensioner, free of charge. Note: Owners are advised to not ride their motorcycles until the repair has been completed. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact KMC customer service at 1-866-802-9381. KMC's number for this recall is MC20-13.
Status: NHTSA lists Dec 21, 2020 as the owner-notification date for this campaign.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Kawasaki recall number MC20-13
NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number for 20V774000 as MC20-13. Owner letters and dealer service departments often use this code, so a search for "MC20-13 recall" refers to the same campaign.
Affected models and years
Models and model years NHTSA lists for this campaign. Not every vehicle of a listed model and year is included; check by VIN.
| Vehicle | Model years | More |
|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki EX400G | 2021 | — |
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 2021 | — |
| Kawasaki Z400 | 2021 | — |
Key dates
- Report filed with NHTSA
- Dec 11, 2020
- Owner notification
- Dec 21, 2020
- Recall initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Filed by
- Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Check your VIN for 20V774000
- Find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the door-jamb sticker, or your registration.
- Enter it in NHTSA's free VIN recall lookup. It shows every open recall on that exact vehicle, including this one if it applies and hasn't been repaired.
- If 20V774000 is open, call any Kawasaki dealer's service department and give them the recall number (20V774000 or MC20-13). The repair is free.
Not sure of the exact model or year? Decode it first with the free VIN decoder.
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V774000?
NHTSA recall 20V774000 (Kawasaki recall MC20-13) covers about 1,770 2021 Kawasaki (3 models) vehicles (engine & cooling), filed with NHTSA Dec 11, 2020. NHTSA lists a DO-NOT-DRIVE advisory: owners should not drive these vehicles until the repair is done. It covers certain 2021 Z400 ABS (ER400D), Ninja 400 (EX400H) and Ninja 400 ABS (EX400G) motorcycles.
Is it safe to drive a vehicle with recall 20V774000?
No. NHTSA's record for 20V774000 carries a do-not-drive advisory: owners should not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is done. Contact a Kawasaki dealer to arrange the repair.
How do I know if my vehicle is affected by 20V774000?
Only a VIN lookup can tell you. Not every vehicle of the listed models and years is included, and repaired vehicles drop off. Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kawasaki dealer to check it.
What is the fix for recall 20V774000, and is it free?
NHTSA's record says: "KMC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the camshaft chain tensioner, free of charge." NHTSA lists Dec 21, 2020 as the owner-notification date for this campaign. Safety-recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
What is the Kawasaki recall number for 20V774000?
NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number as MC20-13. Dealers and owner letters often use that code (MC20-13) instead of the NHTSA campaign number 20V774000.
Sources and method
- NHTSA recall record for 20V774000, from NHTSA's public recall campaign database. Problem, risk and remedy text is NHTSA's own wording.
- "Vehicles affected" is NHTSA's potential-units-affected count for the whole campaign.
- Data as of Nov 6, 2026. NHTSA updates campaigns as manufacturers file amendments, so check the official record for the latest.