Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
25,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 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.
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment: 1
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 | 3 |
| 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: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
1998: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC AT APPROXIMATELY 35 -40 MPH WHEN IT STARTED TO MAKE A TAPPING NOISE. I PULL OVER AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NOISE. THE BIKE WAS PURCHASE USED FROM RUA MOTORCYCLES INDIAN TRAIL NC. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS RETURNED TO RUA CYCLES FOR REPAIRS THAT SAME DAY FEB 21 2004. AFTER RUA CYCLES WAS ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT GETTING THE OIL NEEDED TO MAINTAIN IT PROPERLY. WHILE RUA WAS PREPARING TO REPAIR THE MOTOR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT KAWASAKI HAS BEEN …
Owner-reported narrative. 32,126 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073216 at NHTSA ↗
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE OIL AND WATER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THEN WENT OUT. THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS AN OIL PRESSURE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173504 at NHTSA ↗
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE AFTERMARKET PART, A FORWARD CONTROL COMPONENT, AS THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND A VALID VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193444 at NHTSA ↗
I HAVE A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1500 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. ON THIS BIKE AND OTHER MODELS, KAWASAKI INSTALLED A PLASTIC GEAR ON THE OIL PUMP. THIS GEAR FAILS CAUSING A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND IN SOME CASES DESTROYS MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT IT WILL COST ME OVER $8,000.00 IN PARTS TO REPAIR. KAWASAKI IS ONLY WILLING TO REPLACE THE GEAR, PISTON RINGS, GASKETS AND LABOR NEEDED TO REPLACE THOSE PARTS BUT NOT ANY PART THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FROM THE RESEARCH…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227603 at NHTSA ↗
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH IN POSITION SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, IS INOPERABLE, AND IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,100. UPDATED 12/22/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/22/08.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250259 at NHTSA ↗
TRANSMISSION FAILS UPON EACH SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 537765 at NHTSA ↗
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
Reported: 1997-01-15 (January 15, 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 ↗Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
6 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.
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 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2100.0%ODI 825000INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING OUT OF FIRST GEAR, THE MOTORCYCLE WILL JUMP OUT OF FIRST GEAR INTO NOWHERE. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK | 233.3%ODI 10250259 · 25,100 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH IN POSITION SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, IS INOPERABLE, AND IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,100. UPDATED 12/22/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/22/08.*JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 233.3%ODI 10073216 · 32,126 miI WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC AT APPROXIMATELY 35 -40 MPH WHEN IT STARTED TO MAKE A TAPPING NOISE. I PULL OVER AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NOISE. THE BIKE WAS PURCHASE USED FROM RUA MOTORCYCLES INDIAN TRAIL NC. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS RETURNED TO RUA CYCLES FOR REPAIRS THAT SAME DAY FEB 21 2004. AFTER RUA CYCLES WAS ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT GETTING THE OIL NEEDED TO MAINTAIN IT PROPERLY. WHILE RUA WAS PREPARING TO REPAIR THE MOTOR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT KAWASAKI HAS BEEN … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 844611WHEN STARTING MOTORCYCLE GASOLINE POURED, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. DEALER HAS REPLACED CARBURETOR ONCE, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED. *AK *MJS | 133.3%ODI 565511CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MOTORCYCLE BUCKS WHILE RIDING IT. *SLC |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10227603 · 30,500 miI HAVE A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1500 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. ON THIS BIKE AND OTHER MODELS, KAWASAKI INSTALLED A PLASTIC GEAR ON THE OIL PUMP. THIS GEAR FAILS CAUSING A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND IN SOME CASES DESTROYS MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT IT WILL COST ME OVER $8,000.00 IN PARTS TO REPAIR. KAWASAKI IS ONLY WILLING TO REPLACE THE GEAR, PISTON RINGS, GASKETS AND LABOR NEEDED TO REPLACE THOSE PARTS BUT NOT ANY PART THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FROM THE RESEARCH… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 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 10057274 · 4,500 miTHE CONSUMER DISCOVERED SOMETHING SHOCKING AND ALARMING WHEN HE REMOVED THE KEYED SIDE COVER. *PH A GOLF BALL SIZE HOLE WAS BURNT INTO THE HPK SEPARATOR WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN COMPONENT FAILURE. *MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM AND REIMBURSEMENT OF THE MONIES SPENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. *SC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SEVERE DESIGN DEFECT WITHIN THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM.*JB |
| Equipment | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10193444 · 12,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE AFTERMARKET PART, A FORWARD CONTROL COMPONENT, AS THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND A VALID VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,000. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%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. | 125.0%ODI 844611WHEN STARTING MOTORCYCLE GASOLINE POURED, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. DEALER HAS REPLACED CARBURETOR ONCE, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED. *AK *MJS | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 830660HAD EMERGENCY STOP. COULD NOT DOWNSHIFT. HAD TO BRAKE. WOULD NOT GO INTO 1ST GEAR. HAD TO LET CLUTCH OUT, STOP/STALL CYCLE & THEN RESTARTED IT & THEN SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR. HAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP YET. *AK | 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.
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 | 27,123 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10073216 · 32,126 miI WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC AT APPROXIMATELY 35 -40 MPH WHEN IT STARTED TO MAKE A TAPPING NOISE. I PULL OVER AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NOISE. THE BIKE WAS PURCHASE USED FROM RUA MOTORCYCLES INDIAN TRAIL NC. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS RETURNED TO RUA CYCLES FOR REPAIRS THAT SAME DAY FEB 21 2004. AFTER RUA CYCLES WAS ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT GETTING THE OIL NEEDED TO MAINTAIN IT PROPERLY. WHILE RUA WAS PREPARING TO REPAIR THE MOTOR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT KAWASAKI HAS BEEN … ODI 10173504 · 22,120 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE OIL AND WATER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THEN WENT OUT. THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS AN OIL PRESSURE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 25,100 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10250259 · 25,100 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH IN POSITION SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, IS INOPERABLE, AND IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,100. UPDATED 12/22/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/22/08.*JB |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Too few reports for a range | 30,500 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10227603 · 30,500 miI HAVE A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1500 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. ON THIS BIKE AND OTHER MODELS, KAWASAKI INSTALLED A PLASTIC GEAR ON THE OIL PUMP. THIS GEAR FAILS CAUSING A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND IN SOME CASES DESTROYS MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT IT WILL COST ME OVER $8,000.00 IN PARTS TO REPAIR. KAWASAKI IS ONLY WILLING TO REPLACE THE GEAR, PISTON RINGS, GASKETS AND LABOR NEEDED TO REPLACE THOSE PARTS BUT NOT ANY PART THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FROM THE RESEARCH… |
| Equipment | Too few reports for a range | 12,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10193444 · 12,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE AFTERMARKET PART, A FORWARD CONTROL COMPONENT, AS THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND A VALID VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,000. |
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.
| 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. |
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.
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.
1998: 3 complaints · 2001: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 2001 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
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.
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Engine And Engine Cooling | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
1 mentions · 16.7% of complaints
Median mileage: 22,120 mi (1 usable records).
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE OIL AND WATER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THEN WENT OUT. THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS AN OIL PRESSURE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b