AI DamageKawasaki VN1500: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Kawasaki VN1500 across 7 model years: 12 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 3 Tires 17% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Tires: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Experienced a loss of oil pressure on 1999 kawasaki vulcan nomad and complete engine stall two vehicles behind me almost ran me over and ended up with one rear ending another. I narrowly escaped a hit from behind. Some internet searches reveals that this loss of oil pressure is common for this year make and model.
Transmission locked up after changing into 2nd gear after leaving a stop... Kawasaki had a recall for this problem for certain bikes this same year but tell me that my bike does not one of the bikes under the recall. Only 25,600 miles on the bike.
Oil leak left front corner of front cylinder. Engine had to be removed to replace the cam. Resealed rear cylinder head cover.
Prestige motor sport, 4011 forest park, st. Louis, [ZIP] [phone]. Vulcan, 1500, 2001 or kawasaki, 1500, 2001. Charges for recall repairs by manufacturer through the dealer. Reall # mc 0203 051502.
Valves clicking kawasaki says it is normal. Not so on others. Replaced 4 lifters and still have noise on the other 4 dragging feet. Dt
While driving in 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears hear a loud noise.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.