RoadVitals

2004 Kawasaki VN1500-E7L

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Aug 31, 2006
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jan 6, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2004 Kawasaki VN1500-E7L, most frequently naming the engine category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jan 6, 2004
2,082 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, ACCELERATOR PUMP DIAPHRAGMS MAY BE DAMAGED FROM EXCESSIVE ASSEMBLY CLAMPING PRESSURE, WHICH CAN ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE PUMP ACTUATING ROD AREA.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PUMP DIAPHRAGM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

Jul 24, 2003
405 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, CONTAMINATED FUEL USED DURING THE FINAL ENGINE INSPECTION PROCESS MAY HAVE CAUSED DETERIORATION OF THE CARBURETOR ACCELERATOR PUMP DIAPHRAGM, WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PUMP CHAMBER.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PUMP DIAPHRAGM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Aug 31, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE HAD SEVERAL DEFECTS SINCE THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THE GEAR WOULD NOT BECOME ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE MOVED TO THE SHOULDER FROM THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPAIRED THE DEFECT AFTER 26 DAYS. THE SECOND MAJOR PROBLEM WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE OBSERVED IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THE NOISE BUT HAS NOT SUCCEEDED IN REPAIRING THE PROBLEM WITH FOUR ATTEMPTS. AN APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 6, 2006 FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DECLARED THE REPAIRS WOULD CONTINUE AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BUT REFUSED REPLACE THE ENGINE OR THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE NOISE BECAUSE THE NOISE MEANT THE ENGINE COULD STOP RUNNING AND COULD RESULT IN A FATAL ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10167185
Incident
Apr 4, 2006
Mileage
400 mi