Model year record

1999 Kawasaki VN1500 recalls & problems

The 1999 Kawasaki VN1500 has 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (1 complaint).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints2filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineApr 6, 1999

Fuel injection system

Recall 99V0670002,779 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	1	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	1	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine coolingCrash
DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF A 6 LANE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 75 MPH. 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. FOR ME COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON ANY ROAD PRESENTS A SEVERE HAZARD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE MOTORCYCLES ISSUED. THIS YEAR MODEL HAS A PLASTIC GEAR ON THE OIL PUMP WHICH WAS BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BE KAWASAKI. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE. *TR
Jun 30, 2010 · 28,250 miles
Unknown or other
CONSUME RIS UNABLE TO SEE OIL PUMP GEAR LIGHT DURING DAYLIGHT HOUS., SUN PROVIDES POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK
Mar 30, 1999

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