Model year record

1997 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic recalls & problems

The 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic has 1 safety recall and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (3 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints6filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJan 15, 1997

12v/24v/48v battery › Cables

Recall 97V0070005,208 vehicles

Problem: PRESSURE ON THE BATTERY GROUND LEAD (THE CRIMPED AND SOLDERED TERMINATION OF THE BATTERY CABLE) FROM THE BASE OF THE OPERATOR'S SEAT CAN CAUSE THE BATTERY TERMINAL TO SHORT OUT INSIDE THE BATTERY.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD DISABLE THE BATTERY AND THE MOTORCYCLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BATTERY CABLES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED CABLE AND INSPECT THE BATTERY TO VERIFY THAT NO DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED.

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	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine	3	30,500 mi
Power trainManual transmission	2	—
Equipment	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Power train › Manual transmission
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH IN POSITION SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, IS INOPERABLE, AND IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,100. UPDATED 12/22/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/22/08.*JB
Nov 29, 2008 · 25,100 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I HAVE A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1500 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. ON THIS BIKE AND OTHER MODELS, KAWASAKI INSTALLED A PLASTIC GEAR ON THE OIL PUMP. THIS GEAR FAILS CAUSING A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND IN SOME CASES DESTROYS MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT IT WILL COST ME OVER $8,000.00 IN PARTS TO REPAIR. KAWASAKI IS ONLY WILLING TO REPLACE THE GEAR, PISTON RINGS, GASKETS AND LABOR NEEDED TO REPLACE THOSE PARTS BUT NOT ANY PART THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE SINCE AT LEAST 1999. THE COST OF THE PARTS FROM THE DEALER IS JUST SHORT OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE BIKE WITH A BRAND NEW MODEL. THIS BEING…
Jan 15, 2008 · 30,500 miles
Equipment
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE AFTERMARKET PART, A FORWARD CONTROL COMPONENT, AS THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND A VALID VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,000.
May 29, 2007 · 12,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE OIL AND WATER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THEN WENT OUT. THE BIKE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS AN OIL PRESSURE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
Oct 25, 2006 · 22,120 miles
Engine and engine cooling
I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE A 1997 KAWASAKI VULCAN CLASSIC AT APPROXIMATELY 35 -40 MPH WHEN IT STARTED TO MAKE A TAPPING NOISE. I PULL OVER AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NOISE. THE BIKE WAS PURCHASE USED FROM RUA MOTORCYCLES INDIAN TRAIL NC. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS RETURNED TO RUA CYCLES FOR REPAIRS THAT SAME DAY FEB 21 2004. AFTER RUA CYCLES WAS ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT GETTING THE OIL NEEDED TO MAINTAIN IT PROPERLY. WHILE RUA WAS PREPARING TO REPAIR THE MOTOR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT KAWASAKI HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR FOR SOME TIME. KAWASAKI HAS BEEN DOING REPAIRS TO MOTORS THAT HAVE HAD DAMAGE FORM THE OIL PUMP GEAR FAILURE FOR…
Feb 21, 2004 · 32,126 miles
Power train › Manual transmission
TRANSMISSION FAILS UPON EACH SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR.
Jul 6, 1998

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