RoadVitals

2006 Kawasaki VN900B6F

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.
7
Latest Mar 29, 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 Mar 11, 2008
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Kawasaki VN900B6F, most frequently naming the engine, body & structure and driver assistance 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

  • Engine228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%
  • Transmission114.3%

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
08V114000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 11, 2008
31,789 units potentially affected
The defect: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 31,789 VULCAN 900 CLASSIC, CUSTOM AND CLASSIC LT MODELS, MY 2006 VN900B6F, VN900B6FL, VN900D6F, VN900D6FL, MY 2007 VN900B7F, VN900B7FL, VN900C7F, VN900C7FL, VN900D7F, VN900D7FL, MY 2008 VN900B8F, VN900B8FL, VN900C8F, VN900D8F AND VN900D8FL MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL HOSE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY CONNECTED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR DELIVERY PIPE.
The risk: CONTINUED USE OF THE MOTORCYCLE CAN RESULT IN THE FUEL HOSE COMING OFF, CREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF A FUEL LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTION AT THE FUEL INJECTOR AND FUEL PUMP AND WILL REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE IF THE JOINT LOCK IS FOUND TO BE DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.Manufacturer number MC 08-05View on NHTSA.gov
07V215000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

May 17, 2007
5,906 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY STALL UNDER DECELERATION DUE TO AN IMPROPER SETTING OF THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU).
The risk: THIS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECU WITH ONE THAT CONTAINS REVISED SETTINGS THAT WILL ADDRESS THE ENGINE STALLING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2017

STALLING: BIKE STALLS WHEN HOLDING CLUTCH AND STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT BUT CRANKS BACK UP. ALSO WHEN I WARM IT UP IT RUNS HIGH UNTIL ITS WARM AND THEN MISSES AND SOMETIMES CUTS OFF WHILE BEING STATIONARY. ALMOST GOT RAN OVER AT STOP LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED ONCE.

NHTSA ID
10969372
Incident
Mar 11, 2017
Mileage
35 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 8, 2009

MY MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TO LOSE BATTERY POWER IN MID-DECEMBER 2008 AND I THOUGHT THE BATTERY MAY BE FAILING. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED EASILY FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF. ON NEW YEAR'S DAY I WENT OUT TO RIDE AND THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED SLUGGISHLY. I GOT TO THE FIRST STOPPING POINT AND IT FAILED TO START. I RECEIVED A JUMP START AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE MOTORCYCLE HOME. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THAT ON 2006 MODEL KAWASAKI VULCAN 900 CLASSIC, THE STATOR HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10254223
Incident
Dec 31, 2008
Mileage
27,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 25, 2008

1. IN THIRD GEAR AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL MAINTAIN SPEED AFTER RELEASING THE THROTTLE. 2. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH, MAYBE 5-6 TIMES A MONTH EVER SINCE OWING THE VEHICLE. THE TIME BEFORE LAST, I ALMOST RAN INTO A CAR THAT WAS BREAKING HARD IN FRONT OF ME. 3. PULLING IN ON THE CLUTCH IS THE PRIMARY WAY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. ONCE I TESTED IT BY GOING UP A FAIRLY STEEP HILL. THE ENGINE ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE THE SAME THROTTLE AMOUNT UNTIL THE BIKE SLOWED TO AROUND 15 MPH. IT THEN FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243458
Incident
Sep 20, 2008
Mileage
700 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 6, 2008

2006 KAWASAKI VN900B6F WITH SEAT SUB-FRAME BROKE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT SUB-FRAME BROKE AT A WEAK POINT WHERE THE TUBULAR METAL WAS STAMPED FLAT AND CURVED DOWNWARD. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THE REAR FENDER SHAKING AND MOVING WITH AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF PLAY.

NHTSA ID
10230649
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 19, 2007

PREMATURE HEADLIGHT FAILURE OCCURRED---LESS THAN 12 MONTHS FROM ORIGINAL (NEW) PURCHASE. THE PHYSICALLY LARGE HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS ATTACHED TO THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME IN ONLY TWO LOCATIONS, BOTH ON THE BOTTOM OF THE HOUSING. THIS ALLOWS THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING TO VIBRATE SIGNIFICANTLY FROM NORMAL ROAD VIBRATION. THIS VIBRATION IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE DURING NIGHTTIME OPERATION, SO MUCH SO THAT THE SHAKING OF THE HEADLIGHT BEAM ITSELF IS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE RIDER AND COULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD. SINCE THE LAMP WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING ALSO VIBRATES, THIS CAUSES VERY EARLY FAILURE OF THE LAMP FILAMENT. ALSO, SINCE THE HEADLIGHT IS USED IN A "DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT" FASHION, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH MAY NOT BE QUICKLY DETECTED BY THE OWNER, ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE UNUSUALLY SHORT LIFETIME OF THE HEADLAMP. AND OF COURSE, A HEADLIGHT FAILURE DURING NIGHTTIME OPERATION DUE THIS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE OPERATOR. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE DESIGNED WITH ADDITIONAL STRUCTURAL SUPPORT ATTACHMENT TO THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME, SO THAT THE ASSEMBLY WILL NOT VIBRATE AND CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE LAMP FILAMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10209388
Incident
Nov 19, 2007
Mileage
8,626 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 21, 2007

THE THROTTLE ON MY 2006 KAWASAKI 900 MOTORCYCLE WILL PERIODICALLY STICK WHILE IN THIRD GEAR WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 25 MPH. FOR EXAMPLE, THIS OCCURRED TO ME FOUR TIMES IN A TWO HOUR PERIOD ON 8/19/2007. THIS IS VERY TYPICAL AND HAS HAPPENED TO ME DOZENS OF TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE IS A VERY DISCONCERTING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS EVENT, PARTICULARLY ON ROAD CURVES OR IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC AREAS. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO THE MANUFACTURER AS WELL AS THE MOTORCYCLE COMMUNITY. (FOR EXAMPLE, NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT OCCUR ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.KAWASAKIMOTORCYCLE.ORG/FORUM/KAWASAKI-CRUISERS/41931-900-THROTTLE-STUCK-TODAY.HTML). TO DATE, HOWEVER, KAWASAKI HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERS WILL NOT TAKE ACTION BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. FURTHER, MY PARTICULAR BIKE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10200352
Incident
Aug 19, 2007
Mileage
100 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 20, 2007

THE ENGINE SOMETIMES STAYS AT SPEED IN 3RD GEAR AT AROUND 40 MPH. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SPEEDING UP AND GETTING TO 40 THEN LETTING GO OF THROTTLE TO SLOW DOWN. IT ALSO SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN ENTERING AN EXIT RAMP OFF THE INTERSTATE. *AK THE QUICK FIX IS TO PULL IN ON THE THROTTLE. ALSO, ON TWO SEPARATE COLD DAYS, THE BIKE HAS ALMOST STALLED WHILE GOING UP A HILL CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. I PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED IT AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE AFTER THAT. THE BIKE WAS WARMED UP PROPERLY AND HAD ALREADY TRAVELED ABOUT A MILE BEFORE THE EVENTS.

NHTSA ID
10193810
Incident
Jun 15, 2007
Mileage
800 mi