Kawasaki Seeks Waiver for Vintage Bike Brake Glitches
Published Date: 5/8/2026
Notice
Summary
Kawasaki found that some of their motorcycles from 1979-1981 and 2017-2025 don’t fully meet brake safety rules. They asked the government to decide if this issue is minor and won’t affect safety. People have until June 8, 2026, to share their thoughts, and no money or recalls are expected right now.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Missing Brake‑cap Warning Text
About 125,585 Kawasaki motorcycles manufactured between January 2, 1979 and July 28, 2025 (models listed in the notice) have rear brake‑fluid caps that omit required wording from FMVSS No. 122. Kawasaki petitioned NHTSA on November 5, 2025 asking to be exempted from the duties to notify owners and to provide a remedy for that noncompliance.
Future Models Will Use Correct Caps
Kawasaki states it will correct the brake‑fluid filler cap wording on all remaining motorcycles being produced for model year 2026 and for all following model years. That change applies to future production and does not by itself require notice or remedy for already‑manufactured motorcycles.
Dealers Barred From Selling Noncompliant Units
NHTSA notes that any decision about Kawasaki's petition only affects duties to notify owners and provide remedies for vehicles no longer controlled by Kawasaki; distributors and dealers remain prohibited from selling, offering for sale, or introducing into interstate commerce any noncompliant motorcycles that are under their control after Kawasaki notified them of the noncompliance.
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