2020 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 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 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan 900, 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
- Powertrain (other)1100.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The component I think that is faulty, is the, "shifter return spring." That component is believed to be apart of the power train system. With this spring being generally located inside of the power train itself, it call only be inspected when the power train is taken apart. A physical demonstration could be performed to show the defect in action. With me being unable to downshift, on demand as the operator is certainly a hazard to myself and all other vehicle operators. I definitely feel like a hazard to public safety and others while riding. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer as of yet. Since the warranty has expired, getting the issue looked at and or resolved, out of warranty will end in a costly repair. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, when I emailed Kawasaki directly about the issue and my concerns, they simply didn't show much interest into my concern, and just shoved me off to deal with my local Kawasaki Dealer/Shop. I then emailed my local shop about my concern before the warranty expired, no response was directly back to me. Leaving me to operate a motorcycle that has a down shifting defect. They are no lights or warnings present. Since the issue seems to me mechanical, but on the interior of the power train. The first event reference I have happened about a few months ago. It all of a sudden out of nowhere, stopped returning the shifter lever back to its neutral position when downshifting. I couldn't understand in that very moment was happening, and nearly panicked! Being unable to downshift on demand, without extra foot manipulations, could be scary while operating a motorcycle. Even as I ride to this day, the defect is readily present. I'm not the only bike owner of this year, make and model that has this issue.
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 .