RoadVitals

2008 Kawasaki VN900D8F

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 Apr 28, 2008
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 Sep 18, 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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2008 Kawasaki VN900D8F, most frequently naming the fuel system 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

  • Fuel system1100.0%

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
08V473000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Sep 18, 2008
604 units potentially affected
The defect: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING 604 MY 2008 VULCAN VN900C8F, VN900D8F, AND MY 2009 VN900B9F, AND VN900B9FL MOTORCYCLES. FUEL CAN LEAK FROM BETWEEN THE TANK FILLER NECK AND THE FUEL CAP GASKET.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400. NOTE: SOME SPARE PART REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. THE FOLLOWING MOTORCYCLE MODELS MAY HAVE HAD ONE OF THESE REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS INSTALLED: MY 2006 VN900B6F, VN900D6F, MY 2007 VN900C7F, VN900D7F, MY 2008 VN900B8F, VN900C8F, VN900D8F, AND MY 2009 VN900B9F MOTORCYCLES. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DEALER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THESE REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Apr 28, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

I BOUGHT A KAWASAKI VN900D8F MARCH 08. IT WAS DELIVERED AND I STORED IT IN MY GARAGE UNTIL I GOT TRAINING IN THE MSF COURSE. ON 4-12-08, AFTER MSF TRAINING, I FELT CONFIDENT TO TRY MY BIKE. I DROVE SEVERAL BLOCKS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT TO PRACTICE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I HEADED FOR HOME AND EXITED THE PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 20 MPH IN 2ND GEAR. ON THE CORNER, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP VERY HIGH AND THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TAKING OFF AT A FASTER RATE. I IMMEDIATELY BRAKED WITH THE REAR BRAKE AND SLOWLY SQUEEZED THE FRONT BRAKE, BUT THE BIKE STILL REVVED AND CONTINUED FORWARD. I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THE ENGINE SHUTOFF AND I CONTINUED TO TRY AND BRAKE. I FINALLY MANAGED TO SLOW THE BIKE, BUT DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED THROTTLE, THE BIKE'S HANDLEBARS WERE NOT SQUARE AND THE BIKE'S MOMENTUM CAUSED ME TO GO INTO THE SIDE OF THE CURB AND I FELL TO THE SIDEWALK NEXT TO THE CURB. WHEN I GOT UP, I SOUGHT HELP FROM SOME NEIGHBORS. THEY PICKED UP THE BIKE AND ONE OF THE THEM SAID, "HEY, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE LEAKING FUEL". I SAID, "WHERE?" HE SAID, "RIGHT UNDER THE BIKE, FROM THAT HOSE HANGING DOWN!" WHEN I LOOKED, I SAW A HOSE HANGING DOWN FROM THE BIKE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE GAS TANK GAUGE THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY INDICATED 1/2 TANK NOW SHOWED A FULL TANK AND THE FUEL INJECTOR INDICATOR WAS LIT UP. THE ACCIDENT ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE GUARD POSSIBLY THE FOOTREST. THEY ROLLED IT BACK FOR ME TO MY GARAGE WHERE I PARKED IT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I ENDED UP BREAKING 5 RIBS ON MY RIGHT SIDE. LATER, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY CAME OVER AND PICKED IT UP AND TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, I CALLED TO CHECK ON THE STATUS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW BUT THAT THE GM HAD RIDDEN IT AND IT DID NOT "THROTTLE UP" ON HIM. ALL I KNOW IS THAT THE BIKE DID SOMETHING THAT IT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO DO AND DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225954
Incident
Apr 12, 2008
Mileage
17 mi