RecallMyCar

Kawasaki Vulcan Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 62 owner complaints across 14 model years of the Kawasaki Vulcan (1995–2010). The most-complained-about year is 1996.

4
safety recalls, all years
62
owner complaints, all years
1995
year with most recalls
1996
year with most complaints

Pick your Kawasaki Vulcan model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2010 Kawasaki Vulcan10
2009 Kawasaki Vulcan15
2006 Kawasaki Vulcan03
2005 Kawasaki Vulcan06
2004 Kawasaki Vulcan11
2003 Kawasaki Vulcan18
2002 Kawasaki Vulcan03
2001 Kawasaki Vulcan03
2000 Kawasaki Vulcan05
1999 Kawasaki Vulcan08
1998 Kawasaki Vulcan02
1997 Kawasaki Vulcan17
1996 Kawasaki Vulcan09
1995 Kawasaki Vulcan12

What Kawasaki Vulcan owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA. The 1996 model year has the most, with 9.

All Kawasaki Vulcan recalls (4)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Kawasaki Vulcan, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 10V507000 Reported 6,187 vehicles potentially affected KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.

    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).

    Remedy: 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.

    Model years: 2009, 2010

  2. Engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 04V023000 Reported 6,958 vehicles potentially affected KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil filter. Owner notification began on february 2, 2004. Owners should contact kawasaki at 1-949-770-0400.

    Model years: 2003, 2004

  3. Manual transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 97V233000 Reported 544 vehicles potentially affected KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. An improperly manufactured transmission gear can cause weakening and eventual breakage of an adjacent gear.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect these motorcycles and repair affected units.

    Model years: 1997

  4. Driveshaft (power train)

    NHTSA 95V096000 Reported 12,322 vehicles potentially affected KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the drive chains on the motorcycles involved in this recall.

    Model years: 1995

Other Kawasaki models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.