Model year record
The 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan has 1 safety recall and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints).
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.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline | 4 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc | 2 | — |
| Power trainClutch assembly | 1 | — |
| Electrical systemStarter assembly › Solenoid | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
BEARINGS IN STARTER MISSING UPON DELIVERY, BRAND NEW. *AK
MANY OIL PUMP GEARS HAVE FAILED ON THIS YEAR/MODEL. SOMEONE MAY GET KILLED IF THEY ARE NOT MADE TO REPLACE THESE. *AK
OIL PUMP GEAR FAILED - HAD TRAFFIC BEEN HEAVY ENGINE COULD HAVE SIEZED UP BEFORE I COULD SAFELY STOP
THE CLUTCH SLIPPED AND FAILED AT 12000 MILES, WHICH SEEMED PREMATURE. I REPLACED IT MYSELF AND NOW THE REPLACEMENT IS BEGINNING TO SLIP AT 25000 MILES. MY EXPERIENCE IN OPERATING MOTORCYCLES IS ABOUT 21 YEARS. MY RIDING HABITS ARE NORMAL WITH NO UNUSUAL USAGE (IE. RACING, COMPETITIONS, ETC.). CLUTCH FAILURE IS PREMATURE , WHICH I BELIEVE IS DUE TO POOR DESIGN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND CONTACT ME WITH RESULTS. I DID NOT HAVE THE VIN AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING; HOWEVER, PLEASE CALL ME IF IT IS ESSENTIAL.*AK
REAR BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REBUILT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND OTHER PARTS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE COUGHING ON ACCELERATION WHEN BACKFIRING, FLAMES SHOOT OUT 6-8 INCHES. DEALER CONTACTED AND REPAIRS DONE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
ENGINE STALLS.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.