Kawasaki VN1700 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
14,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 to 2012 model years. Data updated: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 50.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Visibility: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10534581 · 2013-08-02 (August 2, 2013)
NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION: VERY LOAD CLUNK WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH LEVER IN GEAR, ALSO CLUNK AT ANY SPEED WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND CLUNKS AGAIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. ALSO GREAT DEAL OF BACKLASH IN ANY GEAR AND GETTING WORST. INDICATING POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10628640 · 2014-08-27 (August 27, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 80MPH IN 6TH GEAR, THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS GRINDING NOISE AND THE BIKE DROPPED OUT OF GEAR. WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO GEAR. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING AND COMPLETE TEAR DOWN AT DEALERSHIP, THE FINAL DRIVE PULLEY INNER TEETH AND THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT SPLINE TEETH WERE BOTH STRIPPED OFF. SUSPECT EITHER WRONG GREASE USED OR THE BELT WAS TOO TIGHT ACCORDING TO KAWASAKI SPECIFICATIONS. VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AS I'D ONLY OWNED IT FOR 19 MONTHS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10806593 · 2015-11-24 (November 24, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KAWASAKI VN1700. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V550000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED BY COMPONENT FAILURE. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. ALL ASSOCIATED FUSES WERE TEST…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10806593 at NHTSA ↗
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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
2010: 0; 2012: 0
Year-by-year records
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 | 2010 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 133.3%ODI 10806593 · 25,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KAWASAKI VN1700. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V550000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED BY COMPONENT FAILURE. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. ALL ASSOCIATED FUSES WERE TEST… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 133.3%ODI 10534581 · 4,000 miNOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION: VERY LOAD CLUNK WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH LEVER IN GEAR, ALSO CLUNK AT ANY SPEED WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND CLUNKS AGAIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. ALSO GREAT DEAL OF BACKLASH IN ANY GEAR AND GETTING WORST. INDICATING POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10628640 · 37,000 miWHILE DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 80MPH IN 6TH GEAR, THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS GRINDING NOISE AND THE BIKE DROPPED OUT OF GEAR. WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO GEAR. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING AND COMPLETE TEAR DOWN AT DEALERSHIP, THE FINAL DRIVE PULLEY INNER TEETH AND THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT SPLINE TEETH WERE BOTH STRIPPED OFF. SUSPECT EITHER WRONG GREASE USED OR THE BELT WAS TOO TIGHT ACCORDING TO KAWASAKI SPECIFICATIONS. VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AS I'D ONLY OWNED IT FOR 19 MONTHS. *TR |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 133.3%ODI 10534581 · 4,000 miNOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION: VERY LOAD CLUNK WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH LEVER IN GEAR, ALSO CLUNK AT ANY SPEED WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND CLUNKS AGAIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. ALSO GREAT DEAL OF BACKLASH IN ANY GEAR AND GETTING WORST. INDICATING POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility | 133.3%ODI 10445557 · 300 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KAWASAKI VN1700-C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AT NIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REFLECTED A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTED HIS VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED ADDING A CHROME VISOR TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE VISOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 25,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10806593 · 25,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KAWASAKI VN1700. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V550000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED BY COMPONENT FAILURE. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. ALL ASSOCIATED FUSES WERE TEST… |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | Too few reports for a range | 4,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10534581 · 4,000 miNOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION: VERY LOAD CLUNK WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH LEVER IN GEAR, ALSO CLUNK AT ANY SPEED WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND CLUNKS AGAIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. ALSO GREAT DEAL OF BACKLASH IN ANY GEAR AND GETTING WORST. INDICATING POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. |
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 37,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10628640 · 37,000 miWHILE DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 80MPH IN 6TH GEAR, THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS GRINDING NOISE AND THE BIKE DROPPED OUT OF GEAR. WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO GEAR. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING AND COMPLETE TEAR DOWN AT DEALERSHIP, THE FINAL DRIVE PULLEY INNER TEETH AND THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT SPLINE TEETH WERE BOTH STRIPPED OFF. SUSPECT EITHER WRONG GREASE USED OR THE BELT WAS TOO TIGHT ACCORDING TO KAWASAKI SPECIFICATIONS. VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AS I'D ONLY OWNED IT FOR 19 MONTHS. *TR |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 4,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10534581 · 4,000 miNOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION: VERY LOAD CLUNK WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH LEVER IN GEAR, ALSO CLUNK AT ANY SPEED WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND CLUNKS AGAIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. ALSO GREAT DEAL OF BACKLASH IN ANY GEAR AND GETTING WORST. INDICATING POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. |
| Visibility | Too few reports for a range | 300 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10445557 · 300 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KAWASAKI VN1700-C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AT NIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REFLECTED A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTED HIS VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED ADDING A CHROME VISOR TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE VISOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. |
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.
2010: 1 complaints · 2012: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 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 | Electrical System | Engine And Engine Cooling | Power Train | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0 | — | 0 | 1ODI 10534581 · 4,000 miNOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION: VERY LOAD CLUNK WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH LEVER IN GEAR, ALSO CLUNK AT ANY SPEED WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND CLUNKS AGAIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. ALSO GREAT DEAL OF BACKLASH IN ANY GEAR AND GETTING WORST. INDICATING POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0 | 1ODI 10534581 · 4,000 miNOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION: VERY LOAD CLUNK WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH LEVER IN GEAR, ALSO CLUNK AT ANY SPEED WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND CLUNKS AGAIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. ALSO GREAT DEAL OF BACKLASH IN ANY GEAR AND GETTING WORST. INDICATING POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. | 0 | — | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.