RoadVitals

2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero

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.
2
Latest Apr 23, 2019
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 Sep 1, 2015
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero, most frequently naming the electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Engine150.0%

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

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
15V550000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Sep 1, 2015
11,836 units potentially affected
The defect: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager and 2011-2015 Vulcan 1700 Vaquero motorcycles manufactured February 2, 2009, to March 20, 2015. In the affected vehicles, an ignition wire may chafe due to contact with the fuel tank, resulting in a short circuit and possible engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will install additional shielding and padding to prevent the ignition wire from shorting. Any igniton switch that has damaged wires will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2015. Owners may contact Kawasaki customer service at 1-866-802-9381. Kawasaki's number for this recall is MC15-10.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.Manufacturer number MC15-10View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Apr 23, 2019

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR SYSTEM DID NOT HAVE NOMAD SO I SELECTED VAQUERO AS IT GAVE ME A DIFFICULT TIME IDENTIFYING THE MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER, VIN IS CORRECT AND VERIFIED. THE BIG SAFETY CONCERN IS THE KICKSTAND AND IF IT WILL HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE MOTORCYCLE (900+LBS.). THE KICKSTAND ON MY 2011 VULCAN 1700 NOMAD IS IN MY OPINION NOT SUITABLE OR LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD UP SUCH A HEAVY MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE TO ROUTINELY CHECK AND AND ADJUST THE BOLTS AND/OR SPRINGS AFTER LONG RIDES. AT MANY TIMES, IT APPEARS THE BIKE CAN TIP OVER AS IT IS STATIONARY. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN IF THE KICKSTAND GIVES WAY AND THE HEAVY MOTORCYCLE FALLS AND INJURES ME OR SOMEONE ELSE.

NHTSA ID
11203269
Incident
Apr 22, 2019
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 18, 2018

MOTORCYCLE HAS STALLED ON ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST YEAR AS I SLOW DOWN TO STOP OR AS I IDLE STATIONARY AND WAIT FOR GREEN LIGHT. MOTORCYCLE WILL THEN TURN OFF. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AS I USE IT AS A DAILY DRIVER IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY AND RIDE 2-UP 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK.. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY CONCERN AND PUT IT TO A REST. THANK YOU.11 ##

NHTSA ID
11073441
Incident
Feb 14, 2018

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000—
2015010—
2014110—
2013110—
2012010—
2011Viewing210—
2009100—

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.