1996 Kawasaki Vulcan 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 1996 Kawasaki Vulcan, 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
- Electrical220.0%
- Engine220.0%
- Fuel system220.0%
- Visibility220.0%
- Brakes110.0%
- Tires & wheels110.0%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
INNER WELD ON INNER PIPES (EXHAUST PIPE) BROKE, CAUSING NOISE AND EXHAUST LEAK.
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY, CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO ORDER PARTS, DEALER STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED PARTS FROM MANUFACTURER. RECALL#97V007000. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
INNER WELD ON INNER PIPES (EXHAUST PIPE) BROKE, CAUSING NOISE AND EXHAUST LEAK.
OIL SEAT/RING FAILURE, CAUSING OIL TO RUN OUT ONTO RIMS/TIRES, POSING RISK OF ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 KAWASAKI VULCAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING MAJOR DEFECTS AND IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD. HE BELIEVES A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED RELATING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 21,000.
THE GAS TANK BUILDS UP PRESSURE AND DUMPS THE GAS OUT OF THE TANK ONTO THE GROUND.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT ADJUST OUTWARD .AS INSTALLED THEY ARE TOO CLOSE TO CENTER .IN ORDER TO SEE BEHIND YOU YOU MUST LEAN TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE TO CLEAR THE FIELD OF VIEW.I WEIGH 260 AND HAVE WIDE SHOULDERS WHICH COMPLICATES THE MATTER. *AK
THE SIDE MIRROR CAME OFF.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE BACK BRAKES DON'T ENGAGE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 KAWASAKI VULCAN REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. *TS THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT AND CAUSED THE LICENSE PLATE AND HOLDER TO BE TORN OFF. *NM
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 .