Kawasaki Vulcan problems & recalls
NHTSA records for 1995–2010: 4 recall campaigns and 62 owner complaints. Pick a model year.
By year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 | 2 |
| 1996 | 0 | 9 |
| 1997 | 1 | 7 |
| 1998 | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 | 0 | 8 |
| 2000 | 0 | 5 |
| 2001 | 0 | 3 |
| 2002 | 0 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 | 8 |
| 2004 | 1 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 | 6 |
| 2006 | 0 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
What owners complain about (all years)
Recent recalls
Service Brakes, Hydraulic #10V507000 · 2010 · 6,187 units
Problem: Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 vulcan motorcycles. the engine may stall if the rider is coasting with the clutch pulled in due to an improper setting of the engine control unit (ecu).
Risk: Engine stalling could create a potential for a crash resulting in injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the ecu with one containing revised settings to address the engine stalling. the safety recall began on november 1, 2010. owners may contact kawasaki consumer services department at 1-866-802-9381.
Engine And Engine Cooling #04V023000 · 2004 · 6,958 units
Problem: On certain 2003 vulcan 1500 classic, 1500 drifter, 2003-2004 1500 mean streak, 2003 1600 classic, and 2003-2004 nomad fl model motorcycles, high oil pressure upon a cold start-up can deform the oil filter cartridge.
Risk: This could cause oil to leak from the oil filter, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the oil filter. owner notification began on february 2, 2004. owners should contact kawasaki at 1-949-770-0400.
Power Train #97V233000 · 1997 · 544 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. an improperly manufactured transmission gear can cause weakening and eventual breakage of an adjacent gear.
Risk: Gear breakage can result in transmission lockup, causing the operator to lose control of the motorcycle.
Fix: Dealers will inspect these motorcycles and repair affected units.
Power Train #95V096000 · 1995 · 12,322 units
Problem: The drive chains have been improperly heat-treated during the manufacturing process. exposure to corrosive conditions can cause the chain side plates to crack and ultimately fail.
Risk: This condition could result in a loss of control of the motorcycle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the drive chains on the motorcycles involved in this recall.
Want the full repair deets? Get the service manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Vulcan.
Motorcycle-specific service manuals with step-by-step procedures (Clymer is part of Haynes).
Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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