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KawasakiModel report

Kawasaki Vulcan Classic Problems by Model Year

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints across the 1 model years of the Kawasaki Vulcan Classic (1997–1997) that have at least 5 complaints. 1997 has the most, with 6. Across all years, the part named most often is engine cooling (3 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.

All Vulcan Classic model years

Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsTSBsScore (50 = typical)Trend
1997625,10010—Not enough data

Parts named most often, all years

Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.

Example complaints

One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

1997: “I have a 1997 Kawasaki vulcan 1500 classic motorcycle. On this bike and other models, Kawasaki installed a plastic gear on the oil pump. This gear fails causing a loss of oil pressure and in some cases destroys major components of the engine. The dealership is telling me that it will cost me over $8,000.00 in parts to repair. Kawasaki is only willing to replace the gear, piston rings, gaskets and labor needed to replace those parts but not any part that was damaged by the loss of oil pressure. This has been a known problem from the research I have done since at least 1999. …”

NHTSA complaint #10227603, filed 2008-05, 30,500 miles

Other Kawasaki models

Kawasaki KLR650
195 complaints
Kawasaki Kawasaki
69 complaints
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
55 complaints
Kawasaki Vulcan
48 complaints
Kawasaki Ninja 300
42 complaints
Kawasaki Concours 14
34 complaints
Kawasaki Ninja
27 complaints
Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
18 complaints

All Kawasaki models →

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology