Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
1,500 miles · Jun 12, 2009
Steering
ON MY KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD 1600 '08 I GET A SEVERE WOBBLE IN THE STEERING WHEN DECELERATING WITH A VERY LIGHT GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS. I JUST BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY LOOKED AT A FEW THINGS AND TELL ME IT IS NORMAL. I HAVE WENT ONTO SEVERAL WEBSITE LOOKING FOR NOMAD STEERING WOBBLE AND TO MY SURPRISE MOST HAVE TH…
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ON MY KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD 1600 '08 I GET A SEVERE WOBBLE IN THE STEERING WHEN DECELERATING WITH A VERY LIGHT GRIP ON THE HANDLE BARS. I JUST BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY LOOKED AT A FEW THINGS AND TELL ME IT IS NORMAL. I HAVE WENT ONTO SEVERAL WEBSITE LOOKING FOR NOMAD STEERING WOBBLE AND TO MY SURPRISE MOST HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND ARE BEING TOLD IT IS NORMAL. THIS I AM SURE HAS RESULTED IN CRASHES AND POSSIBLY DEATH. I DO HAVE A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS "NORMAL OCCURRENCE " PLEASE HELP US RIDERS IF THIS WAS A CAR THAT WOBBLED OR SHOOK IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM THANKS JIM CROSSEN *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273594
163 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Electrical SystemStructureSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) KAWASAKI VN1500 CLASSIC. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR MAL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) KAWASAKI VN1500 CLASSIC. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AXLE. ALSO, THERE WAS CHIPPING IN THE EXTERIOR PAINT ON THE FRONT BUMPER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,100. UPDATED 09/24/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS RUNNING GOOD, EXCEPT THAT WHEN THE BIKE WAS SITTING AT IDLE, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL. THE BIKE DID NOT, IT HAD ELECTRICAL POWER, AND WHEN THE STARTER THE BUTTON WAS PRESSED THE LIGHTS DID NOT DIM, BUT THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. UPDATED 10/01/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10239194
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2008 Kawasaki VN1500N8F Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year