2020 Kawasaki STX160 Jet Ski recalled in Australia

The newest model in the Kawasaki Jet Ski range has been recalled because the front cover could become detached at speed and injure the rider.

More than 200 examples of the 2020 Kawasaki STX160X and STX 160LX Jet Skis have been recalled in Australia because the front storage area compartment could detach and injure the rider – and authorities have advised owners not to use the watercraft until it has been fixed.

“Consumers should stop operating their watercraft immediately,” says the recall notice issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). “If the front hatch cover detaches from the watercraft, it may propel towards the rider causing serious injury.” 

The recall applies to 230 examples of the 2020 Kawasaki STX160X and the luxury version of the same watercraft, the Kawasaki STX160LX, which were sold in Australia between 1 October 2019 and 21 September 2020.

This is believed to be the majority – if not the entirety – of 2020 Kawasaki STX160 Jet Skis distributed in Australia by Kawasaki over this period of time. 

Models manufactured after this date are believed to have been rectified. To check if your model has been repaired free of charge under the recall, Kawasaki advises to contact your local dealer to confirm it has been fixed, or to book it in for repair. 

The Kawasaki STX160 range is a new Jet Ski for 2020. The hull has remained unchanged since 2003 – when the STX12F was introduced with an 1199cc four-stroke four-cylinder engine, which later became the STX15F when equipped with a 1498cc four-stroke four-cylinder engine.

The STX12F and STX15F are not involved in the recall for the STX160X and STX160LX because the new-for-2020 models come with an entirely new top deck design, with a larger front storage area and new front cover, among many other changes.

The recall notice on the ACCC website can be found here. It includes a full list of affected models by serial number (or HIN).

Published: 8 October 2020.