1997 Kawasaki Vulcan Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electrical system (1). Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign 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 cooling4 57%
- Brakes1 14%
- Electrical system1 14%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Consumer states the vehicle coughing on acceleration when backfiring, flames shoot out 6-8 inches. Dealer contacted and repairs done, problem still exists.”
NHTSA complaint #828819, filed 1998-10Brakes: “Rear brakes failed without warning. Dealer has rebuilt the master cylinder and other parts, and the problem still exists. Manufacturer has been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #847580, filed 1999-09Transmission and drivetrain: “The clutch slipped and failed at 12000 miles, which seemed premature. I replaced it myself and now the replacement is beginning to slip at 25000 miles. My experience in operating motorcycles is about 21 years. My riding habits are normal with no unusual usage (ie. Racing, competitions, etc.). Clutch failure is premature , which I believe is due to poor design. Please investigate and contact me with results. I did not have the VIN available at the time of this writing; however, please call me if it is essential.”
NHTSA complaint #719739, filed 2000-03Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 97V233000Dec 16, 1997Power train › Manual transmissionCovers: Kawasaki Vulcan 1997, VN1500 1997
Vehicle description: motorcycles. An improperly manufactured transmission gear can cause weakening and eventual breakage of an adjacent gear.
Recall details for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan.
Other model years of the Kawasaki Vulcan
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 | 1,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 6 | 3,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 8 | 12,818 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 5 | 15,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 8 | 30,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 7 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 9 | 21,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Kawasaki Vulcan model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.