1999 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .