2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 1,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and engine (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 1,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
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.
- Brakes1 20%
- Engine1 20%
- Engine cooling1 20%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan. While the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the drive belt had a cut in it length-wise. The reason for the cut was that there was no protective shield for the top portion of the drive belt. The contact stated that a rock lodged in the front housing trapped the rock causing it to cut the belt. The dealer stated that the failure was a design flat. The current and failure mileages were approximately 6,100.”
NHTSA complaint #10367360, filed 2010-11, 6,100 milesBrakes: “2009 Kawasaki Vulcan. Consumer writes in regards to engine stalling recall notice. The consumer stated he took the motorcycle back to the dealer several times, due to the stalling issue. Finally, while riding the bike one day, it stalled again. Only this time, the consumer had an accident, and was thrown off the motorcycle. The consumer suffered injuries. Recall# 10v507000.”
NHTSA complaint #10541680, filed 2013-09Engine: “The contact owns a 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 voyager motorcycle. The contact stated that while riding the bike, there was a loud whistling noise emitted continuously. The bike was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician informed the contact that the engine under drive pulley and belt would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10532418, filed 2013-07, 1,000 milesEngine cooling: “The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 voyager - 2009 generates excessive heat. I received second degree burns from it. Kawasaki admitted there was a problem and provided a heat shield kit that did nothing to reduce the heat but moved it to the passenger-rider. Kawasaki has done nothing to this model year motorcycle to fix the heat problem. Riders of this bike still complain about the heat, see most any forum discussing this motorcycle for many complaints and specifically Kawasaki's unwillingness to admit that they can not or will not fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10367018, filed 2010-11, 400 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 400 and 6,100 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 10V507000Oct 19, 2010Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkagesCovers: Kawasaki Vulcan 2009–2010
Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 vulcan motorcycles. The engine may stall if the rider is coasting with the clutch pulled in due to an improper setting of the engine control unit (ecu).
Recall details for the 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 2009 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 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 2009 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 1,000 miles and the middle half falls between 400 and 6,100 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 30, 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.