AI DamageKawasaki VN1700: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Kawasaki VN1700 across 2 model years: 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 25% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and there was an abnormal noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 15v550000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
While driving along at about 80mph in 6th gear, there was a tremendous grinding noise and the bike dropped out of gear. Would not go back into gear. After troubleshooting and complete tear down at dealership, the final drive pulley inner teeth and the transmission output shaft spline teeth were both stripped off.
Noise coming from transmission: very load clunk when releasing the clutch lever in gear, also clunk at any speed when letting off the throttle and clunks again when you accelerate. Also great deal of backlash in any gear and getting worst. Indicating possible transmission failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 kawasaki vn1700-c. While driving approximately 20 mph at night the contact noticed the lights on the instrument panel reflected a glare onto the windshield and obstructed his visibility. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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.