RoadVitals

1999 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 Jul 2, 2010
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.
1
Latest Apr 6, 1999
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Kawasaki VN1500, most frequently naming the engine category. 1 safety recall has 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

1 campaign 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
99V067000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Apr 6, 1999
2,779 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES (VN1500-J1/L) EQUIPPED WITH A DIGITAL FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND A VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR. THIS FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FROM CONTINUING TO PUMP FUEL IF THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS DOWN, BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND FUEL INJECTION PUMP. DURING BATTERY MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR CAN BE DISLODGED FROM ITS NORMAL MOUNTED POSITION. IF THE SENSOR IS OUT OF POSITION, THE MOTORCYCLE MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL DURING CERTAIN DRIVING MANEUVERS.
The risk: IF THE SENSOR IS NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED, THE ENGINE CAN CRANK BUT NOT START OR THE ENGINE COULD STOP DURING CERTAIN RIDING SITUATIONS, LIKE LEANING OVER IN A TURN. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD CAUSE THE OPERATOR TO LOSE THEIR BALANCE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER MOUNTING OF THE SENSOR AND RE-INSTALL IF IT IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DEALERS WILL ALSO AFFIX TO THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME, A WARNING LABEL THAT PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS ON REPOSITIONING THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR AFTER SERVICING THE BATTERY.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2010
Crash reported

DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF A 6 LANE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 75 MPH. EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE ON 1999 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD AND COMPLETE ENGINE STALL TWO VEHICLES BEHIND ME ALMOST RAN ME OVER AND ENDED UP WITH ONE REAR ENDING ANOTHER. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A HIT FROM BEHIND. SOME INTERNET SEARCHES REVEALS THAT THIS LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE IS COMMON FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. FOR ME COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON ANY ROAD PRESENTS A SEVERE HAZARD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE MOTORCYCLES ISSUED. THIS YEAR MODEL HAS A PLASTIC GEAR ON THE OIL PUMP WHICH WAS BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BE KAWASAKI. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341246
Incident
Jun 30, 2010
Mileage
28,250 mi
Filed Oct 14, 1999

CONSUME RIS UNABLE TO SEE OIL PUMP GEAR LIGHT DURING DAYLIGHT HOUS., SUN PROVIDES POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
850764
Incident
Mar 30, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki VN1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002100—
2001300—
2000200—
1999Viewing210—
1998100—
1997220—
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.