Kawasaki VN1600-A1 recalls by model year
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
27,350 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2003 model years. Data updated: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
2003: 3
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 | 3 | Not available |
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V023000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004) · Model years: 2003
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.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE OIL TO LEAK FROM THE OIL FILTER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL FILTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V063000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 2004-02-18 (February 18, 2004) · Model years: 2003
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MUFFLER BRACKETS COULD CRACK ALLOWING THE MUFFLER TO BECOME LOOSE AND POTENTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE MAIN EXHAUST PIPES.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE MUFFLER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V216000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2007-05-17 (May 17, 2007) · Model years: 2003
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FUEL TANK IS MOUNTED TO THE CHASSIS BY MEANS OF TABS THAT ARE SPOT WELDED TO THE TANK, THEN BRAISED/WELDED AROUND A PORTION OF THEIR CIRCUMFERENCE.
Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, REPEATED STRESS CAN CRACK THE TANK AT THE LOCATION OF THE TABS, AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 25, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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.
| Component | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 125.0%ODI 10140772 · 16,000 miDT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. HE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SMELL OF LEAKING FUEL. ALSO, WHERE THE EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET CONNECTS TO THE MUFFLER WAS WEAK FROM STRESS CRACK FAILURES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXHAUST PIPE ISSUE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. NOW, THE EXHAUST PIPE HAS A WELDING PROBLEM. *AK |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 125.0%ODI 10140772 · 16,000 miDT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. HE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SMELL OF LEAKING FUEL. ALSO, WHERE THE EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET CONNECTS TO THE MUFFLER WAS WEAK FROM STRESS CRACK FAILURES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXHAUST PIPE ISSUE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. NOW, THE EXHAUST PIPE HAS A WELDING PROBLEM. *AK |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 125.0%ODI 10459767 · 68,000 miFUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE, FUEL WAS PUDDLING ON THE FLOOR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING WHERE THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. CORRESPONDS WITH RECALL #07V216000 ISSUED IN JUNE 2007. A VIN SEARCH ON KAWASAKI'S WEBSITE RESULTED IN A NOTICE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE TANKS IS LEAKING AS DESCRIBED BY THE MENTIONED RECALL. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 125.0%ODI 10129511 · 19,700 miUNEXPECTED GAS SLEAKAGE FROM GAS TANK. NO ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER INCIDENT TO JUSTIFY THE LEAK. TANK WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND REWELDED. LEAKAGE AMOUNTS TO 1/2 TEASPOON A DAY. CONCEREND ABOUT HOUSING VEHICE IN GARAGE |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 125.0%ODI 10459767 · 68,000 miFUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE, FUEL WAS PUDDLING ON THE FLOOR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING WHERE THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. CORRESPONDS WITH RECALL #07V216000 ISSUED IN JUNE 2007. A VIN SEARCH ON KAWASAKI'S WEBSITE RESULTED IN A NOTICE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE TANKS IS LEAKING AS DESCRIBED BY THE MENTIONED RECALL. |
| Power Train:Driveline | 125.0%ODI 10158180 · 35,000 miI WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON STATE ROAD 17 FROM DAYTON BIKE WEEK WHEN MY KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 STARTED TO MAKE A HIGH PITCHED WINDING NOISE THEN THE COVER JUST BEFORE THE DIVE SHAFT SHOOT OFF IN TO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THEN THE MOTOR CYCLE CAUGHT FIRE. I PULLED OF THE ROAD AND A BYSTANDER HAD SOME WATER IN A COOLER WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, I PUT MY BIKE IN THE SHOP AT JACKSONVILLE POWER SPORT IT WAS THERE FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEY SAID ALL THEY COULD DO WAS REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAME OUT TO OVER $900.00 NOW ITS AT ANOTHER KAWASAKI SHOP I… |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 125.0%ODI 10158180 · 35,000 miI WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON STATE ROAD 17 FROM DAYTON BIKE WEEK WHEN MY KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 STARTED TO MAKE A HIGH PITCHED WINDING NOISE THEN THE COVER JUST BEFORE THE DIVE SHAFT SHOOT OFF IN TO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THEN THE MOTOR CYCLE CAUGHT FIRE. I PULLED OF THE ROAD AND A BYSTANDER HAD SOME WATER IN A COOLER WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, I PUT MY BIKE IN THE SHOP AT JACKSONVILLE POWER SPORT IT WAS THERE FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEY SAID ALL THEY COULD DO WAS REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAME OUT TO OVER $900.00 NOW ITS AT ANOTHER KAWASAKI SHOP I… |
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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | Too few reports for a range | 16,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10140772 · 16,000 miDT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. HE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SMELL OF LEAKING FUEL. ALSO, WHERE THE EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET CONNECTS TO THE MUFFLER WAS WEAK FROM STRESS CRACK FAILURES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXHAUST PIPE ISSUE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. NOW, THE EXHAUST PIPE HAS A WELDING PROBLEM. *AK |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | Too few reports for a range | 16,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10140772 · 16,000 miDT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. HE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SMELL OF LEAKING FUEL. ALSO, WHERE THE EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET CONNECTS TO THE MUFFLER WAS WEAK FROM STRESS CRACK FAILURES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXHAUST PIPE ISSUE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. NOW, THE EXHAUST PIPE HAS A WELDING PROBLEM. *AK |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | Too few reports for a range | 68,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10459767 · 68,000 miFUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE, FUEL WAS PUDDLING ON THE FLOOR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING WHERE THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. CORRESPONDS WITH RECALL #07V216000 ISSUED IN JUNE 2007. A VIN SEARCH ON KAWASAKI'S WEBSITE RESULTED IN A NOTICE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE TANKS IS LEAKING AS DESCRIBED BY THE MENTIONED RECALL. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | Too few reports for a range | 19,700 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10129511 · 19,700 miUNEXPECTED GAS SLEAKAGE FROM GAS TANK. NO ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER INCIDENT TO JUSTIFY THE LEAK. TANK WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND REWELDED. LEAKAGE AMOUNTS TO 1/2 TEASPOON A DAY. CONCEREND ABOUT HOUSING VEHICE IN GARAGE |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | Too few reports for a range | 68,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10459767 · 68,000 miFUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE, FUEL WAS PUDDLING ON THE FLOOR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING WHERE THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. CORRESPONDS WITH RECALL #07V216000 ISSUED IN JUNE 2007. A VIN SEARCH ON KAWASAKI'S WEBSITE RESULTED IN A NOTICE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE TANKS IS LEAKING AS DESCRIBED BY THE MENTIONED RECALL. |
| Power Train:Driveline | Too few reports for a range | 35,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10158180 · 35,000 miI WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON STATE ROAD 17 FROM DAYTON BIKE WEEK WHEN MY KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 STARTED TO MAKE A HIGH PITCHED WINDING NOISE THEN THE COVER JUST BEFORE THE DIVE SHAFT SHOOT OFF IN TO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THEN THE MOTOR CYCLE CAUGHT FIRE. I PULLED OF THE ROAD AND A BYSTANDER HAD SOME WATER IN A COOLER WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, I PUT MY BIKE IN THE SHOP AT JACKSONVILLE POWER SPORT IT WAS THERE FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEY SAID ALL THEY COULD DO WAS REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAME OUT TO OVER $900.00 NOW ITS AT ANOTHER KAWASAKI SHOP I… |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 35,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10158180 · 35,000 miI WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON STATE ROAD 17 FROM DAYTON BIKE WEEK WHEN MY KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 STARTED TO MAKE A HIGH PITCHED WINDING NOISE THEN THE COVER JUST BEFORE THE DIVE SHAFT SHOOT OFF IN TO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THEN THE MOTOR CYCLE CAUGHT FIRE. I PULLED OF THE ROAD AND A BYSTANDER HAD SOME WATER IN A COOLER WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, I PUT MY BIKE IN THE SHOP AT JACKSONVILLE POWER SPORT IT WAS THERE FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEY SAID ALL THEY COULD DO WAS REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAME OUT TO OVER $900.00 NOW ITS AT ANOTHER KAWASAKI SHOP I… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
2003: 2 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 | 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 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | Fuel/Propulsion System | Power Train:Driveline | Power Train:Manual Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | — | 1ODI 10140772 · 16,000 miDT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. HE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SMELL OF LEAKING FUEL. ALSO, WHERE THE EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET CONNECTS TO THE MUFFLER WAS WEAK FROM STRESS CRACK FAILURES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXHAUST PIPE ISSUE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. NOW, THE EXHAUST PIPE HAS A WELDING PROBLEM. *AK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 1ODI 10140772 · 16,000 miDT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. HE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SMELL OF LEAKING FUEL. ALSO, WHERE THE EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET CONNECTS TO THE MUFFLER WAS WEAK FROM STRESS CRACK FAILURES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXHAUST PIPE ISSUE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. NOW, THE EXHAUST PIPE HAS A WELDING PROBLEM. *AK | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 1ODI 10459767 · 68,000 miFUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE, FUEL WAS PUDDLING ON THE FLOOR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING WHERE THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. CORRESPONDS WITH RECALL #07V216000 ISSUED IN JUNE 2007. A VIN SEARCH ON KAWASAKI'S WEBSITE RESULTED IN A NOTICE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE TANKS IS LEAKING AS DESCRIBED BY THE MENTIONED RECALL. | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10459767 · 68,000 miFUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE, FUEL WAS PUDDLING ON THE FLOOR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING WHERE THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. CORRESPONDS WITH RECALL #07V216000 ISSUED IN JUNE 2007. A VIN SEARCH ON KAWASAKI'S WEBSITE RESULTED IN A NOTICE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE TANKS IS LEAKING AS DESCRIBED BY THE MENTIONED RECALL. | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 10158180 · 35,000 miI WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON STATE ROAD 17 FROM DAYTON BIKE WEEK WHEN MY KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 STARTED TO MAKE A HIGH PITCHED WINDING NOISE THEN THE COVER JUST BEFORE THE DIVE SHAFT SHOOT OFF IN TO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THEN THE MOTOR CYCLE CAUGHT FIRE. I PULLED OF THE ROAD AND A BYSTANDER HAD SOME WATER IN A COOLER WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, I PUT MY BIKE IN THE SHOP AT JACKSONVILLE POWER SPORT IT WAS THERE FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEY SAID ALL THEY COULD DO WAS REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAME OUT TO OVER $900.00 NOW ITS AT ANOTHER KAWASAKI SHOP I… |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10158180 · 35,000 miI WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON STATE ROAD 17 FROM DAYTON BIKE WEEK WHEN MY KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 STARTED TO MAKE A HIGH PITCHED WINDING NOISE THEN THE COVER JUST BEFORE THE DIVE SHAFT SHOOT OFF IN TO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THEN THE MOTOR CYCLE CAUGHT FIRE. I PULLED OF THE ROAD AND A BYSTANDER HAD SOME WATER IN A COOLER WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, I PUT MY BIKE IN THE SHOP AT JACKSONVILLE POWER SPORT IT WAS THERE FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEY SAID ALL THEY COULD DO WAS REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAME OUT TO OVER $900.00 NOW ITS AT ANOTHER KAWASAKI SHOP I… | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.