RoadVitals

2000 Kawasaki Vulcan Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
5
Latest Sep 16, 2009
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 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

  • Electrical120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%
  • Tires & wheels120.0%

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN KAWASAKI VULCAN 2000 MOTORCYCLE IS WASHED OR WHENEVER IT RAINS THE HORN FAILS TO FUNCTION AND WILL REMAIN FAILED UP TO FOUR DAYS! THIS IS DANGEROUS AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10143153 · filed Nov 18, 2005

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN TRAVELING ENGINE OVERHEATS AT FIFTEEN MILES. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 884859 · filed Apr 2, 2001

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE RIDING AT 35 MPH MOTORCYCLE HESITATED SEVERAL TIMES, ALMOST STALLING, CAUSING THE CARBURETOR TO BACKFIRE, AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE THE ABOVE MENTIONED EVENTS WAS TAKING PLACE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO AVOID A PEDESTRIAN, AND INADVERTENTLY CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. A POLICE REPORT IS ON FILE, CONSUMER WAS RUSHED TO A HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES TO SHOULDERS AND A SEVERELY BRUISED CHEST. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10032293 · filed Aug 6, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DIFFERENTIAL ON MY DRIVESHAFT ON KAWASAKI ,2000, VULCAN CLASSIC 1500 - E HAS BEEN MAKING STRANGE NOISES FOR SOME TIME. DEALERSHIP AND KAWASAKI ITSELF STATED THAT SOME NOISE FROM THE FINAL DRIVE IS NORMAL. I FEEL IT IS EXCESSIVE. WEB SEARCHES HAVE TURNED UP MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO OIL LEAKING AND OTHER FAILURES. A CATASTROPHIC FINAL DRIVE FAILURE COULD BE DEADLY. WELL, CURRENTLY MY BIKE IS FOLLOWING THE MULTITUDES OF OTHERS I HAVE READ ABOUT, ON ITS WAY TO A FAILURE. KAWASAKI AND THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM, BUT THE EASE AT WHICH COMMON FAILURES OF THIS TYPE CAN BE FOUND ON LINE INDICATE OTHERWISE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10118126 · filed Apr 19, 2005

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2000 KAWASAKI VULCAN--1500 TIRE STARTED TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. DRIVER STEERED THE MOTORCYCLE OFF THE ROAD WHERE IT THREW BOTH PASSENGERS. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0580-89

NHTSA ID 10284359 · filed Sep 16, 2009

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

Data on this page last refreshed .