RoadVitals

1997 Kawasaki VN1500

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.
2
Latest Nov 14, 2017
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 Dec 16, 1997
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Kawasaki VN1500, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) and tires & wheels categories. 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

  • Powertrain (other)150.0%
  • Tires & wheels150.0%

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
97V233000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Dec 16, 1997
544 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION GEAR CAN CAUSE WEAKENING AND EVENTUAL BREAKAGE OF AN ADJACENT GEAR.
The risk: GEAR BREAKAGE CAN RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE MOTORCYCLES AND REPAIR AFFECTED UNITS.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
97V007000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Jan 15, 1997
5,208 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD DISABLE THE BATTERY AND THE MOTORCYCLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BATTERY CABLES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED CABLE AND INSPECT THE BATTERY TO VERIFY THAT NO DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 14, 2017

TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AFTER CHANGING INTO 2ND GEAR AFTER LEAVING A STOP... KAWASAKI HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR CERTAIN BIKES THIS SAME YEAR BUT TELL ME THAT MY BIKE DOES NOT ONE OF THE BIKES UNDER THE RECALL. ONLY 25,600 MILES ON THE BIKE.

NHTSA ID
11046043
Incident
Sep 15, 2017
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 5, 2001

TIRE SHOULD CARRY 28 PSI. CCCCONSUMER CALLED DUNLOP MANUFACTURER, AND DUNLOP STATED THAT TIRE SHOULD HAVE 35 TO 40 PSI. TIRES MAKE SIDEWALL WEAR BEFORE CENTER.*AK

NHTSA ID
895757
Incident
Sep 1, 2001

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki VN1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002100—
2001300—
2000200—
1999210—
1998100—
1997Viewing220—
1996110—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.