1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 9,965miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and transmission and drivetrain (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 9,965 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling2 29%
- Other or unknown2 29%
- Engine1 14%
- Suspension1 14%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Oil light came on while warming motorcyckle up, contacted dealer by phone. Dealer asked type motorcycle year and milage after being told the information I was informed Kawasaki used a plastic gear in oil pump and failure happen around that mileage. Dealer charged me $384 and took 9weeks to repair. Found for owners they had payed no nothing for repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #765683, filed 2002-08Transmission and drivetrain: “Dt: the contact owns a 1997 Kawasaki vulcan. He states that NHTSA recall campaign 97v233000 concerning manual transmission was issued. The consumer called Kawasaki and they stated his motorcycle was not included in the recall due to VIN, although the vehicle was having the same problem as stated in the recall. The gear locked up.”
NHTSA complaint #10126264, filed 2005-07, 9,965 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,000 and 17,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500.
Other model years of the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 7 | 9,965 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.
Has the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 9,965 miles and the middle half falls between 6,000 and 17,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.