Kawasaki Vulcan Problems by Year
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the Kawasaki Vulcan, across 14 model years (1995–2010). The 1996 model year has the most complaints (9). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Kawasaki Vulcan years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Vulcan model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1996 Vulcan: 9 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2003 Vulcan: 8 complaints, 1 recall
- 1999 Vulcan: 8 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2004 Vulcan: 1 complaint, 1 recall
- 1995 Vulcan: 2 complaints, 1 recall
- 1998 Vulcan: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Kawasaki Vulcan problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 17 | 9 | 1 |
| Power Train | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 | 7 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Tires | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Kawasaki Vulcan model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Vulcan | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2009 Vulcan | 5 | 1 | — | Power Train | |
| 2006 Vulcan | 3 | 0 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | |
| 2005 Vulcan | 6 | 0 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2004 Vulcan | 1 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2003 Vulcan | 8 | 1 | — | Power Train | |
| 2002 Vulcan | 3 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2001 Vulcan | 3 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2000 Vulcan | 5 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1999 Vulcan | 8 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1998 Vulcan | 2 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1997 Vulcan | 7 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1996 Vulcan | 9 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1995 Vulcan | 2 | 1 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline |
More from Kawasaki: all Kawasaki models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Kawasaki Vulcan years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1996 (9), 2003 (8), 1999 (8). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Kawasaki Vulcan?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 17 complaints across 9 model years.
How many recalls does the Kawasaki Vulcan have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.