1999 Kawasaki Drifter recalls & problems

The 1999 Kawasaki Drifter has 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (3 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints4filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system

NHTSA recall 99V067000 · Apr 6, 1999 · 2,779 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES (VN1500-J1/L) EQUIPPED WITH A DIGITAL FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND A VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR. THIS FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FROM CONTINUING TO PUMP FUEL IF THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS DOWN, BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND FUEL INJECTION PUMP. DURING BATTERY MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR CAN BE DISLODGED FROM ITS NORMAL MOUNTED POSITION. IF THE SENSOR IS OUT OF POSITION, THE MOTORCYCLE MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL DURING CERTAIN DRIVING MANEUVERS.

Risk: IF THE SENSOR IS NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED, THE ENGINE CAN CRANK BUT NOT START OR THE ENGINE COULD STOP DURING CERTAIN RIDING SITUATIONS, LIKE LEANING OVER IN A TURN. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD CAUSE THE OPERATOR TO LOSE THEIR BALANCE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER MOUNTING OF THE SENSOR AND RE-INSTALL IF IT IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DEALERS WILL ALSO AFFIX TO THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME, A WARNING LABEL THAT PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS ON REPOSITIONING THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR AFTER SERVICING THE BATTERY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Unknown or other	3	0	0	0	—
Exterior lighting Turn signal › Flasher unit	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

May 13, 1999 · 1 milesExterior lighting › Turn signal › Flasher unit
I OWN A 1999 KAWASAKI 1500 DRIFTER MOTORCYCLE THAT I BOUGHT NEW FROM G&G CYCLES, 142 LAFAYETTE ROAD, SALISBURY, MA, 01952. SINCE IT WAS NEW THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD COME ON WHEN I STARTED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DEALER HAD NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT IT CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE, IF I FAILED TO TURN IT OFF BEFORE DRIVING, IT WOULD SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WAS TURNING WHEN I WAS NOT IN FACT GOING TO DO SO, MAKING THEM TAKE DANGEROUS ACTION. IN THE LAST SEASON OF USING THE MOTORCYCLE THE PROBLEM WORSENED. NOW THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK FOR ONLY SEVERAL FLASHES AND THEN THEY BLOW THE MAIN FUSE FOR THE TURN SIGNALS RENDERING THEM INOPERATIVE, AGAIN, A SAFETY ISSUE. THE…
Nov 7, 2000Unknown or other
KICKSTAND HAS NO LOCKING DEVICE. THIS CAUSES THE STAND TO FAIL TO SUPPOT THE BIKE IN CERTAIN PARKING SITUATIONS.*AK
Jun 6, 2000Unknown or other
WITH THE CYCLE ON THE SIDE STAND, OF THE BIKE IS ON A SLIGHT DOWN HILL DECLINE OR GREATER, THE BIKE WILL MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN AND TIP OVER. THIS NOT ONLY CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CYCLE, BUT COULD FALL ON TOP OF AN INDIVIDUAL CAUSING INJURY.*AK
Nov 1, 2000Unknown or other
WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS PARKED IDLING, THE BIKE WILL FALL OVER DUE TO NO LOCKING POSTION ON THE SIDESTAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY OF THE RIDER OR OTHERS STANDING NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.