Model year record

2009 Kawasaki Vulcan recalls & problems

The 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan has 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints5filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicOct 19, 2010

Pedals and linkages

Recall 10V5070006,187 vehicles

Problem: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 VULCAN MOTORCYCLES. THE ENGINE MAY STALL IF THE RIDER IS COASTING WITH THE CLUTCH PULLED IN DUE TO AN IMPROPER SETTING OF THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU).
Risk: ENGINE STALLING COULD CREATE A POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECU WITH ONE CONTAINING REVISED SETTINGS TO ADDRESS THE ENGINE STALLING. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI CONSUMER SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 1-866-802-9381.

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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainDriveline	2	0	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	0	—
Engine	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	1	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, hydraulicCrash1 injury
2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE STALLING RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, DUE TO THE STALLING ISSUE. FINALLY, WHILE RIDING THE BIKE ONE DAY, IT STALLED AGAIN. ONLY THIS TIME, THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT, AND WAS THROWN OFF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. RECALL# 10V507000.
Sep 2, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN 1700 VOYAGER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, THERE WAS A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE EMITTED CONTINUOUSLY. THE BIKE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE UNDER DRIVE PULLEY AND BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 09/05/13*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE DRIVE BELT, ENGINE PULLEY AND REAR TIRE PULLEY WERE BAD, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY DIRT, AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 09/05/13
May 6, 2010 · 1,000 miles
Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THIRD AND FIFTH GEARS, CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO POP THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR AND RE-ENGAGE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER WAS MADE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 400.
Feb 18, 2009
Power train › Driveline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE BELT HAD A CUT IN IT LENGTH-WISE. THE REASON FOR THE CUT WAS THAT THERE WAS NO PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR THE TOP PORTION OF THE DRIVE BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A ROCK LODGED IN THE FRONT HOUSING TRAPPED THE ROCK CAUSING IT TO CUT THE BELT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DESIGN FLAT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 6,100.
Nov 23, 2010 · 6,100 miles
Engine and engine cooling
THE KAWASAKI VULCAN 1700 VOYAGER - 2009 GENERATES EXCESSIVE HEAT. I RECEIVED SECOND DEGREE BURNS FROM IT. KAWASAKI ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND PROVIDED A HEAT SHIELD KIT THAT DID NOTHING TO REDUCE THE HEAT BUT MOVED IT TO THE PASSENGER-RIDER. KAWASAKI HAS DONE NOTHING TO THIS MODEL YEAR MOTORCYCLE TO FIX THE HEAT PROBLEM. RIDERS OF THIS BIKE STILL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HEAT, SEE MOST ANY FORUM DISCUSSING THIS MOTORCYCLE FOR MANY COMPLAINTS AND SPECIFICALLY KAWASAKI'S UNWILLINGNESS TO ADMIT THAT THEY CAN NOT OR WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IN THE 2010 MODEL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FIXED IT, YET THE PROBLEM REMAINS BASED ON THE FORUM CONVERSATIONS. WHEN COMPLAINTS ARE MADE TO…
Jul 27, 2009 · 400 miles

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