U.S. public vehicle records

Kawasaki VN1500 recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

12 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

15,375 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1996 to 2002 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

1996: 1; 1997: 2; 1998: 0; 1999: 1; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Kawasaki VN1500 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1996	1	1	Not available
1997	2	2	+1
1998	1	0	-2
1999	2	1	+1
2000	2	0	-1
2001	3	0	0
2002	1	0	0

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

97V007000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables

Reported: 1997-01-15 (January 15, 1997) · Model years: 1996, 1997

PRESSURE ON THE BATTERY GROUND LEAD (THE CRIMPED AND SOLDERED TERMINATION OF THE BATTERY CABLE) FROM THE BASE OF THE OPERATOR'S SEAT CAN CAUSE THE BATTERY TERMINAL TO SHORT OUT INSIDE THE BATTERY.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD DISABLE THE BATTERY AND THE MOTORCYCLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BATTERY CABLES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED CABLE AND INSPECT THE BATTERY TO VERIFY THAT NO DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

97V233000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission

Reported: 1997-12-16 (December 16, 1997) · Model years: 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION GEAR CAN CAUSE WEAKENING AND EVENTUAL BREAKAGE OF AN ADJACENT GEAR.

Consequence: GEAR BREAKAGE CAN RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE MOTORCYCLES AND REPAIR AFFECTED UNITS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

99V067000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System

Reported: 1999-04-06 (April 6, 1999) · Model years: 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES (VN1500-J1/L) EQUIPPED WITH A DIGITAL FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND A VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR. THIS FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FROM CONTINUING TO PUMP FUEL IF THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS DOWN, BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND FUEL INJECTION PUMP. DURING BATTERY MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR CAN BE DISLODGED FROM ITS NORMAL MOUNTED POSITION. IF THE SENSOR IS OUT OF POSITION, THE MOTORCYCLE MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL DURING CERTAIN DRIVING MANEUVERS.

Consequence: IF THE SENSOR IS NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED, THE ENGINE CAN CRANK BUT NOT START OR THE ENGINE COULD STOP DURING CERTAIN RIDING SITUATIONS, LIKE LEANING OVER IN A TURN. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD CAUSE THE OPERATOR TO LOSE THEIR BALANCE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER MOUNTING OF THE SENSOR AND RE-INSTALL IF IT IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DEALERS WILL ALSO AFFIX TO THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME, A WARNING LABEL THAT PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS ON REPOSITIONING THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR AFTER SERVICING THE BATTERY.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

12 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

16.7%Usable mileage2 / 12 records

66.7%Valid incident date8 / 12 records

100.0%Valid filing date12 / 12 records

66.7%Ordered incident and filing dates8 / 12 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Electrical System:Wiring	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10034249 PRESTIGE MOTOR SPORT, 4011 FOREST PARK, ST. LOUIS, MO 63108 [phone removed]. VULCAN, 1500, 2001 OR KAWASAKI, 1500, 2001. CHARGES FOR RECALL REPAIRS BY MANUFACTURER THROUGH THE DEALER. REALL # MC 0203 051502.*AK Look up ODI 10034249 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10341246 · 28,250 mi DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF A 6 LANE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 75 MPH. EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE ON 1999 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD AND COMPLETE ENGINE STALL TWO VEHICLES BEHIND ME ALMOST RAN ME OVER AND ENDED UP WITH ONE REAR ENDING ANOTHER. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A HIT FROM BEHIND. SOME INTERNET SEARCHES REVEALS THAT THIS LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE IS COMMON FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. FOR ME COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON ANY ROAD PRESENTS A SEVERE HAZARD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE MOTORCYCLES ISSUED. THIS YEAR … Look up ODI 10341246 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10097382 · 2,500 mi OIL LEAK LEFT FRONT CORNER OF FRONT CYLINDER. BF ENGINE HAD TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE CAM. RESEALED REAR CYLINDER HEAD COVER. TT Look up ODI 10097382 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 768756 VALVES CLICKING KAWASAKI SAYS IT IS NORMAL. NOT SO ON OTHERS. REPLACED 4 LIFTERS AND STILL HAVE NOISE ON THE OTHER 4 DRAGGING FEET. DT Look up ODI 768756 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 11046043 TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AFTER CHANGING INTO 2ND GEAR AFTER LEAVING A STOP... KAWASAKI HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR CERTAIN BIKES THIS SAME YEAR BUT TELL ME THAT MY BIKE DOES NOT ONE OF THE BIKES UNDER THE RECALL. ONLY 25,600 MILES ON THE BIKE. Look up ODI 11046043 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 557825 VEHICLE HAS HAD REOCCURING CLUTCH PROBLEMS MAKING THE BIKE INOPERABLE FOR MONTHS AT A TIME. NLM Look up ODI 557825 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Manual Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 8018243 WHILE DRIVING IN 3RD, 4TH, AND 5TH GEARS HEAR A LOUD NOISE.*AK Look up ODI 8018243 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 875825 MODEL #VN1500N1, ONE OF TEH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER ANCHOR BOLTS ON THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. AK CONSUMER NOTICED THE CALIPER DRAGGING AND A NOISE. DISCOVERED THE LOOSE BRACKET AND MISSING BOLT WHEN BACKING UP AND STOPPING. JG Look up ODI 875825 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	28,250 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10341246 · 28,250 mi DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF A 6 LANE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 75 MPH. EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE ON 1999 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD AND COMPLETE ENGINE STALL TWO VEHICLES BEHIND ME ALMOST RAN ME OVER AND ENDED UP WITH ONE REAR ENDING ANOTHER. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A HIT FROM BEHIND. SOME INTERNET SEARCHES REVEALS THAT THIS LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE IS COMMON FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. FOR ME COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON ANY ROAD PRESENTS A SEVERE HAZARD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE MOTORCYCLES ISSUED. THIS YEAR … Look up ODI 10341246 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	2,500 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10097382 · 2,500 mi OIL LEAK LEFT FRONT CORNER OF FRONT CYLINDER. BF ENGINE HAD TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE CAM. RESEALED REAR CYLINDER HEAD COVER. TT Look up ODI 10097382 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2001: 3 complaints · 2002: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2001	0	1	3
2002	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2001	2	1	0
2002	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System:Wiring	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Power Train	Power Train:Clutch Assembly	Power Train:Manual Transmission	Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Electrical System:Wiring	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Power Train	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Power Train:Manual Transmission	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 8.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 28,250 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10341246 · 28,250 mi

DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF A 6 LANE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 75 MPH. EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE ON 1999 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD AND COMPLETE ENGINE STALL TWO VEHICLES BEHIND ME ALMOST RAN ME OVER AND ENDED UP WITH ONE REAR ENDING ANOTHER. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A HIT FROM BEHIND. SOME INTERNET SEARCHES REVEALS THAT THIS LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE IS COMMON FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. FOR ME COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON ANY ROAD PRESENTS A SEVERE HAZARD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE MOTORCYCLES ISSUED. THIS YEAR …

Look up ODI 10341246 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b