2009 Kawasaki VULCAN 900: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
2,784 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: . 2 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
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 50.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10282339 · 2009-08-30 (August 30, 2009)
AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK ON MY 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN 500 IT QUITS RUNNING AFTER 20 TO 60 MILES. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. SINCE THE LAST TIME I HAVE BEEN RUNNING WITH THE FUEL VALVE ON RESERVE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM. ALSO MY SISTER IN LAW AND A FRIEND HAS HAD THE SAME WITH THEIR 2008 VULCAN 500'S. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,678 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10486276 · 2012-11-27 (November 27, 2012)
WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL. I WENT DOWN ON MY LEFT SIDE AND HIT THE JERSEY BARRIERS DIVIDING HE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER RIDER JUST BEHIND ME SAW THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCK UP TURN FOR A SECOND AND LOCK UP AGAIN. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT COMMON FOR A MOTORCYCLE THREE YEARS OLD WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I SUSPECT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ECU UNIT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON MY MOTORCY…
Owner-reported narrative. 890 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486276 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 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 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2015 | 2017 | 2020 | 2021 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 150.0%ODI 10486276 · 890 miWHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL. I WENT DOWN ON MY LEFT SIDE AND HIT THE JERSEY BARRIERS DIVIDING HE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER RIDER JUST BEHIND ME SAW THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCK UP TURN FOR A SECOND AND LOCK UP AGAIN. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT COMMON FOR A MOTORCYCLE THREE YEARS OLD WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I SUSPECT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ECU UNIT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON MY MOTORCY… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11678619The component I think that is faulty, is the, "shifter return spring." That component is believed to be apart of the power train system. With this spring being generally located inside of the power train itself, it call only be inspected when the power train is taken apart. A physical demonstration could be performed to show the defect in action. With me being unable to downshift, on demand as the operator is certainly a hazard to myself and all other vehicle operators. I definitely feel like a hazard to public safety and others while riding. … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11576838On multiple occasions, while riding my Kawasaki the transmission shifts into neutral without any input from the operator. This has happened about a dozen times with a current odometer reading of 1635. The sudden loss of power is a safety risk because if it happens while negotiating a turn, the bike wants to drop. I took the bike into the dealer for warranty service on 2/17/2023. They had the bike until 3/7/2023 and advised they could not replicate the issue. However, they did not put more than 2 miles on the bike to test it. The dealer to… |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10735685 · 2 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KAWASAKI VN900D. WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR AND THE CLUTCH WAS ACTIVATED, THE ENGINE REVVED INDEPENDENTLY INTO HIGH GEAR AND THE THROTTLE SEIZED. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND A PARKED VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2. UPDATED 09/14/15*LJ … | 1100.0%ODI 11139246 · 20 miTHE MOTORCYCLE WILL AT TIMES SPEED UP ON ITS OWN JUST LIKE SOMEONE IS TWISTING THE THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENS PRIMARILY WHEN YOU FIRST START THE MOTORCYCLE. AFTER IT IS RIDDEN FOR A WHILE, THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE. ONE TIME I STARTED THE MOTORCYCLE IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CYCLE AT FIRST WAS IDLING NICELY BUT AFTER SHIFTING IT INTO FIRST AND BEGINNING TO LEAVE IT REVVED UP A GREAT DEAL FORCING ME TO PULL THE CLUTCH IN AND SHUTTING IT OFF. IT IS LIKE THE THROTTLE CABLE GETS IN A BIND BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS THAT SINCE IT ONLY HAPPENS AFTER FIRST STA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10970077 · 14,000 miMOTORCYCLE STALLS WHEN THROTTLE IS RELEASED DUE TO ENGINE CONTROL UNIT PROBLEM, ECU DRIVING DOWN STREET, PROBLEM OCCURS OCCATIONALLY AND THERE ARE RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS OF THE SAME MOTORCYCLE. BUT MY VEHICLE DOES'NT SEEM TO BE ON THE LIST OF RECALLED VIN'S. WHAT CAN I DO? | 0UnavailableNo 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. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 150.0%ODI 10486276 · 890 miWHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL. I WENT DOWN ON MY LEFT SIDE AND HIT THE JERSEY BARRIERS DIVIDING HE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER RIDER JUST BEHIND ME SAW THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCK UP TURN FOR A SECOND AND LOCK UP AGAIN. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT COMMON FOR A MOTORCYCLE THREE YEARS OLD WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I SUSPECT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ECU UNIT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON MY MOTORCY… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. |
| Unknown Or Other | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11678619The component I think that is faulty, is the, "shifter return spring." That component is believed to be apart of the power train system. With this spring being generally located inside of the power train itself, it call only be inspected when the power train is taken apart. A physical demonstration could be performed to show the defect in action. With me being unable to downshift, on demand as the operator is certainly a hazard to myself and all other vehicle operators. I definitely feel like a hazard to public safety and others while riding. … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 150.0%ODI 10282339 · 4,678 miAFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK ON MY 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN 500 IT QUITS RUNNING AFTER 20 TO 60 MILES. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. SINCE THE LAST TIME I HAVE BEEN RUNNING WITH THE FUEL VALVE ON RESERVE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM. ALSO MY SISTER IN LAW AND A FRIEND HAS HAD THE SAME WITH THEIR 2008 VULCAN 500'S. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 11426185 · 400 miThe contact owns a 2021 Kawasaki Vulcan 900. The contact stated while riding 65 mph, the front wheel felt loose which caused a vibration in the handlebars. The contact stated that the motorcycle was difficult to steer. The contact made it to the department store where he was informed that the front wheel hub nut was loose. The bolt was tightened however, several weeks later, the failure recurred. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to local dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer wa… | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | Too few reports for a range | 890 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10486276 · 890 miWHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL. I WENT DOWN ON MY LEFT SIDE AND HIT THE JERSEY BARRIERS DIVIDING HE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER RIDER JUST BEHIND ME SAW THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCK UP TURN FOR A SECOND AND LOCK UP AGAIN. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT COMMON FOR A MOTORCYCLE THREE YEARS OLD WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I SUSPECT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ECU UNIT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON MY MOTORCY… |
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 890 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10486276 · 890 miWHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL. I WENT DOWN ON MY LEFT SIDE AND HIT THE JERSEY BARRIERS DIVIDING HE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER RIDER JUST BEHIND ME SAW THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCK UP TURN FOR A SECOND AND LOCK UP AGAIN. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT COMMON FOR A MOTORCYCLE THREE YEARS OLD WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I SUSPECT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ECU UNIT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON MY MOTORCY… |
| Vehicle Speed Control | Too few reports for a range | 4,678 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10282339 · 4,678 miAFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK ON MY 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN 500 IT QUITS RUNNING AFTER 20 TO 60 MILES. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. SINCE THE LAST TIME I HAVE BEEN RUNNING WITH THE FUEL VALVE ON RESERVE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM. ALSO MY SISTER IN LAW AND A FRIEND HAS HAD THE SAME WITH THEIR 2008 VULCAN 500'S. *TR |
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.
2021: 1 complaints · 2023: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 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 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Power Train | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 1ODI 10486276 · 890 miWHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL. I WENT DOWN ON MY LEFT SIDE AND HIT THE JERSEY BARRIERS DIVIDING HE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER RIDER JUST BEHIND ME SAW THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCK UP TURN FOR A SECOND AND LOCK UP AGAIN. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT COMMON FOR A MOTORCYCLE THREE YEARS OLD WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I SUSPECT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ECU UNIT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON MY MOTORCY… | 0 |
| Power Train | 1ODI 10486276 · 890 miWHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL. I WENT DOWN ON MY LEFT SIDE AND HIT THE JERSEY BARRIERS DIVIDING HE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER RIDER JUST BEHIND ME SAW THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCK UP TURN FOR A SECOND AND LOCK UP AGAIN. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT COMMON FOR A MOTORCYCLE THREE YEARS OLD WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I SUSPECT IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ECU UNIT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON MY MOTORCY… | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 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.