RoadVitals

1999 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500

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.
3
Latest Apr 18, 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.
1
Latest Dec 7, 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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, most frequently naming the fuel system, interior & seats and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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 system133.3%
  • Interior & seats133.3%
  • Steering133.3%

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

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
99V338000

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

Dec 7, 1999
2,800 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL HOSE FROM THE FUEL FILTER TO THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY CAN RUB AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL PUMP PLATE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE WITH A MOLDED HOSE THAT CURVES AWAY FROM THE FUEL PUMP PLATE. ALSO, A NEW BRACKET AND GROMMET WILL BE ADDED TO HOLD THE NEW HOSE IN POSITION. THE FUEL RETURN HOSE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Apr 18, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1500 DRIFTER. WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT'S 2.5 YEAR OLD GRANDSON KNOCKED OVER THE VEHICLE. THE HANDLE BARS WERE TURNED TO THE RIGHT, WHICH WAS THE REASON WHY HIS GRANDSON WAS ABLE TO PUSH OVER THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE HANDLE BARS SHOULD BE TURNED TO THE LEFT SO THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WOULD NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO KNOCK OVER THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,020.

NHTSA ID
10224867
Incident
Apr 14, 2008
Mileage
19,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 12, 2006
Fire reported1 injury reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED WITH SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND THE FUEL HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD SENT RECALL LETTERS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM CAMPAIGN ID #99V67000. THE MOTORCYCLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH. THE MOTORCYCLE BURNED UP DUE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO THEIR FACILITIES FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DETERMINED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE FIT THE RECALL LIST AND THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT AN INSPECTOR FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. THE INSPECTOR CONCLUDED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES THAT HAD OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID
10170625
Incident
Jul 16, 2006
Mileage
7,800 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 30, 2001

CONSUMER WAS PREPARING FOR A RIDE AND ONE OF THE BOLTS HAD BROKEN. SEAT WAS SUPPORTED BY 2 SMALL BOLT. ONE SHOWED MORE STRESS THAN THE OTHER . CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
887148

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

MC9811

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT REGARDING STATOR WIRE DAMAGE. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002600—
1999Viewing310—
1997700—
1996400—
1995500—
1994300—

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.