RoadVitals

2003 Kawasaki VN1600-A1

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.
5
Latest May 27, 2012
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.
3
Latest May 17, 2007
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.
1
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Kawasaki VN1600-A1, most frequently naming the fuel system, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

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

  • Fuel system337.5%
  • Powertrain (other)225.0%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Transmission112.5%

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

3 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
07V216000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

May 17, 2007
4,352 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FUEL TANK IS MOUNTED TO THE CHASSIS BY MEANS OF TABS THAT ARE SPOT WELDED TO THE TANK, THEN BRAISED/WELDED AROUND A PORTION OF THEIR CIRCUMFERENCE.
The risk: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, REPEATED STRESS CAN CRACK THE TANK AT THE LOCATION OF THE TABS, AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 25, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.View on NHTSA.gov
04V063000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

Feb 18, 2004
5,850 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MUFFLER BRACKETS COULD CRACK ALLOWING THE MUFFLER TO BECOME LOOSE AND POTENTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE MAIN EXHAUST PIPES.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE MUFFLER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.View on NHTSA.gov
04V023000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Jan 12, 2004
6,958 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN 2003 VULCAN 1500 CLASSIC, 1500 DRIFTER, 2003-2004 1500 MEAN STREAK, 2003 1600 CLASSIC, AND 2003-2004 NOMAD FL MODEL MOTORCYCLES, HIGH OIL PRESSURE UPON A COLD START-UP CAN DEFORM THE OIL FILTER CARTRIDGE.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE OIL TO LEAK FROM THE OIL FILTER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL FILTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.Manufacturer number MC04-04View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE07005ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL TANK LEAKS

Opened Jan 26, 2007
Closed May 23, 2007

THIS PE WAS OPENED ON THE BASIS OF EWR DEALER FIELD REPORTS SUBMITTED BY KAWASAKI.SUBSEQUENTLY, KAWASAKI NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS RECALLING THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES (NHTSA NO. 07V-216) TO ADDRESS THE FUEL TANK LEAKS.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYLed to recall 07V216000

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed May 27, 2012

FUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE, FUEL WAS PUDDLING ON THE FLOOR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING WHERE THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. CORRESPONDS WITH RECALL #07V216000 ISSUED IN JUNE 2007. A VIN SEARCH ON KAWASAKI'S WEBSITE RESULTED IN A NOTICE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE TANKS IS LEAKING AS DESCRIBED BY THE MENTIONED RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10459767
Incident
May 1, 2012
Mileage
68,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 28, 2006
Fire reported

WHILE TRAVELING AT 65+ MPH ON I-64, A FRIEND RIDING BEHIND ME NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY MOTORCYCLE AND SIGNALED FOR ME TO PULL OVER. WHEN I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER I NOTICED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND THE COVER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION JUST FWD OF THE DRIVE SHAFT. I COULD SEE THE GLOW OF FLAMES STILL BURNING THROUGH THE HOLE WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS PASSES. THE FIRE KEPT BURNING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AS I TRIED TO PUT IT OUT BY SMOTHERING IT WITH A RAG. MY FRIEND CALLED THE STATE POLICE WHILE I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THEY ARRIVED WITH AN AMBULANCE AND FIRE TRUCK, BUT JUST AFTER THE FIRE BURNED ITSELF OUT. AFTER REMOVING THE COVER, I FOUND THE HARNESS COMPLETELY FRIED AND MELTED INSULATOR ALL OVER EVERYTHING. TAKING THE BIKE INTO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR TUESDAY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10158463
Incident
May 25, 2006
Mileage
23,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed May 24, 2006
Fire reported

I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON STATE ROAD 17 FROM DAYTON BIKE WEEK WHEN MY KAWASAKI VULCAN 1600 STARTED TO MAKE A HIGH PITCHED WINDING NOISE THEN THE COVER JUST BEFORE THE DIVE SHAFT SHOOT OFF IN TO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THEN THE MOTOR CYCLE CAUGHT FIRE. I PULLED OF THE ROAD AND A BYSTANDER HAD SOME WATER IN A COOLER WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, I PUT MY BIKE IN THE SHOP AT JACKSONVILLE POWER SPORT IT WAS THERE FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEY SAID ALL THEY COULD DO WAS REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAME OUT TO OVER $900.00 NOW ITS AT ANOTHER KAWASAKI SHOP IN JACKSONVILLE AND THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS FIXING IT TO. SO FAR THEY HAVE CHANGED THE FINAL GEAR DRIVE AND NOW THEY SAY IT MIGHT BE A BEVEL GEAR THAT IS NOT LINED UP RIGHT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10158180
Incident
Mar 12, 2006
Mileage
35,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. HE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SMELL OF LEAKING FUEL. ALSO, WHERE THE EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET CONNECTS TO THE MUFFLER WAS WEAK FROM STRESS CRACK FAILURES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXHAUST PIPE ISSUE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. NOW, THE EXHAUST PIPE HAS A WELDING PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10140772
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Mileage
16,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 20, 2005

UNEXPECTED GAS SLEAKAGE FROM GAS TANK. NO ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER INCIDENT TO JUSTIFY THE LEAK. TANK WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND REWELDED. LEAKAGE AMOUNTS TO 1/2 TEASPOON A DAY. CONCEREND ABOUT HOUSING VEHICE IN GARAGE

NHTSA ID
10129511
Incident
Jun 30, 2005
Mileage
19,700 mi