U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Kawasaki VULCAN problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

3 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

79,000 mi median reported failure mileage

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

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	2	66.7%

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.

Power Train

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

Power Train: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 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.

2002

2018

2002: 2; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 11096561 · 2018-05-17 (May 17, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION SWITCHED BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND THE MOTORCYCLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH INTO FIRST GEAR, BUT THE MOTORCYCLE SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11096561 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 8023295 · 2002-11-25 (November 25, 2002)

NO PARTS AVAILABLE THE CONSUMER RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION SHAFT. THE BUSINESS NAME IS FLORIDA SPORTS [phone removed] [XXX] TS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8023295 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

33.3%Usable mileage1 / 3 records

100.0%Valid incident date3 / 3 records

100.0%Valid filing date3 / 3 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates3 / 3 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	2003	2004	2005	2006	2009	2010
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	111.1% ODI 514107 OIL SEAT/RING FAILURE, CAUSING OIL TO RUN OUT ONTO RIMS/TIRES, POSING RISK OF ACCIDENT. Look up ODI 514107 at NHTSA ↗	342.9% ODI 723412 OIL PUMP GEAR FAILED - HAD TRAFFIC BEEN HEAVY ENGINE COULD HAVE SIEZED UP BEFORE I COULD SAFELY STOP Look up ODI 723412 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 860591 THE PLASTIC GEAR THAT EXTENDS TO THE OIL PUMP COULD STRIP OR MALFUNCTION, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 860591 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 9004942 NOTICE A SMALL PUDDLE OF OIL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, ALSO NOTICE BIKE HEATED UP VERY QUICKLY AND INTENSELY WHEN RIDING EVEN FOR SHORT DISTANCES, DEALER SAID OIL LEAK RESULTED FOR THE BIKE BEING NEW. BIKE STARTED STALLING, OVER HEAT LAMP STARTING COMING ON, R/R SEAL OIL, ORING, COLLAR GASKET AND FAN FUSE. Look up ODI 9004942 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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 519430 ENGINE STALLS. Look up ODI 519430 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 717994 THE OIL DRIVE GEAR IN THIS MODEL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FAIL CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE. I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT HAD A FAILURE. Look up ODI 717994 at NHTSA ↗	337.5% ODI 723417 THE PLASTIC OIL PUMP GEAR HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURES IN THE 1999 MODEL KAWASAKI VULCAN MOTORCYCLES. THE RESULT AT HIWAY SPEEDS COULD BE FATAL. MANY REPORTS FROM HTTP://WWW.VROC.ORG MEMBERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURES SAY THEY ARE LUCKY THEY WERE NOT IN THE FAST LANE WHEN THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. KAWASAKI REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THAT HAVE STOPPED USING THE PLASTIC GEAR IN NEWER MODELS. *AK Look up ODI 723417 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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel/Propulsion System	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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 11481490 My 2005 Vulcan 1600 has recent started seeping fuel from the bottom tabs that are welded onto the gas tank and is slowly progressively getting worse Look up ODI 11481490 at NHTSA ↗	3100.0% ODI 11128473 FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE GAS TANK IN THE AREA THAT THE MOUNTING TABS ARE BRAZED TO THE TANK. GASOLINE IS RUNNING DOWN OVER THE REAR ENGINE CYLINDER AND TRANSMISSION CASE. THE SAME AS RECALL ISSUED ON THE 2003 IN 2007 #07V216000. Look up ODI 11128473 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	225.0% ODI 735798 KICK STAND FAILED TO KEEP MOTORCYCLE UPRIGHT WHILE IDLING. *AK Look up ODI 735798 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.	116.7% ODI 11489884 My 2005 Kawasaki vulcan 1600 nomad have gas tank is leaking, and I looked on the internet and I saw that many people have this problem, is there a recall? The gas tank leaks in the left corner of the tank under the seat? Please let me know, and thank you for all you support. Look up ODI 11489884 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
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.	112.5% ODI 11278406 · 30,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1500 NOMAD. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO BIG ST. CHARLES MOTORSPORTS (LOCATED AT 3830 WEST CLAY STREET, ST. CHARLES, MO 63301) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A PLASTIC GEAR IN THE OIL PUMP THAT CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL OVERRIDE IN THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. Look up ODI 11278406 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.	112.5% ODI 10524681 · 500 mi THIS MOTORCYCLE AS OTHERS FROM CALIFORNIA, APPEARS TO RUN OUT OF FUEL WHEN THE TANK IS 1/2 FULL OR LESS. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE VN FORUMS. IT HAS BEEN GIVEN A NAME OF POOGS WHICH STANDS FOR PHANTOM OUT OF GAS SYNDROME. THE DEALER ESCONDIDO CYCLE CENTER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. I CONTACTED KAWASAKI BUT THEY WILL NOT CONNECT ME WITH A TECHNICAL ADVISER. MOST OWNERS REMOVE THE EMISSION CONTROLS. I DO NOT WANT TO. I HAVE HAD ALMOST 20 INCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAY WHEREBY I HAD TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER WITH NO POWER. THEN THE CRANKING R… Look up ODI 10524681 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.	120.0% ODI 10532418 · 1,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1700 VOYAGER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, THERE WAS A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE EMITTED CONTINUOUSLY. THE BIKE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE UNDER DRIVE PULLEY AND BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 09/05/13*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE DRIVE BELT, ENGINE PULLEY AND REAR TIRE PULLEY WERE BAD, WHICH WAS CAUSED … Look up ODI 10532418 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System	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.	120.0% ODI 10032293 · 2,000 mi CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE RIDING AT 35 MPH MOTORCYCLE HESITATED SEVERAL TIMES, ALMOST STALLING, CAUSING THE CARBURETOR TO BACKFIRE, AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE THE ABOVE MENTIONED EVENTS WAS TAKING PLACE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO AVOID A PEDESTRIAN, AND INADVERTENTLY CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. A POLICE REPORT IS ON FILE, CONSUMER WAS RUSHED TO A HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES TO SHOULDERS AND A SEVERELY BRUISED CHEST. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK Look up ODI 10032293 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10090894 · 1,200 mi ON 2 OCCASIONS MY 2001 KAWASAKI VULCAN 800 WAS LEAKING FUEL IN MY GARAGE. HIS MOTORCYCLE USES A KEIHN CVK-36 CARBURATOR. REPLACED GASKET BETWEEN FUEL BOWL AND CARBURATOR BODY AS WELL AS NEW FLOAT, AND NEEDLE. *AK PROBLEM CONTINUED, WHEN MOTORCYCLE SEEPED FUEL ON A NEAR CONTINUOUS BASIS. IDENTIFIED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PUMP DIAGPHRAGM IN THE CARBURATOR HAS FAILED WITH CRACKS AND RUBBER TO MATERIAL SEPARATION. THE PART # KA43028-0002 ITEM 43028A IN KAWASAKI'S PART MANUAL IS $50.99. PARTIAL ROOT CAUSE BEING THAT DESIGN OF THE FUEL TAP. … Look up ODI 10090894 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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	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.	133.3% ODI 11096561 · 79,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION SWITCHED BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND THE MOTORCYCLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH INTO FIRST GEAR, BUT THE MOTORCYCLE SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. Look up ODI 11096561 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10059501 · 15,737 mi WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOST OF DRIVING FORCE TO THE REAR WHEEL AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED SLOWING DOWN. LA UPON INSPECTION OF THE MOTORCYCLE, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO LUBRICATE THE SPLINED COUPLING THAT WENT BETWEEN THE DRIVESHAFT OUTPUT AND THE FINAL DRIVE GEARBOX PINION ASSEMBLY. (2003 KAWASAKI, VULCAN 750A19). JB Look up ODI 10059501 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.	120.0% ODI 10425782 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THIRD AND FIFTH GEARS, CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO POP THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR AND RE-ENGAGE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER WAS MADE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 400. Look up ODI 10425782 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft	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.	133.3% ODI 8017712 WHILE DRIVING HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE.*AK Look up ODI 8017712 at NHTSA ↗	225.0% ODI 10053787 · 15,737 mi THE MOTORCYCLE'S SPLINES ON THE DRIVESHAFT WERE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED AT THE FACTORY. THIS CAUSED THE SPLINES TO OVER RUN, AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER TO THE REAR WHEELS. THIS MADE STOPPING THE MOTORCYCLE DIFFICULT. MODEL VN750 A-19. AK MR Look up ODI 10053787 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.	0Unavailable 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
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	79,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11096561 · 79,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION SWITCHED BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND THE MOTORCYCLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH INTO FIRST GEAR, BUT THE MOTORCYCLE SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. Look up ODI 11096561 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

2009: 4 complaints · 2010: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2009	2	4	4
2010	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2009	5	0	0
2010	0	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	Power Train	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Power Train	—	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	—	0
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft	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

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.

Complaints over time data
Category	Count
2002	2
2018	1