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: 1 of 1 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 →
Power Train. 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 reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
23,000 miles · May 28, 2006
Electrical SystemPower TrainFire
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65+ MPH ON I-64, A FRIEND RIDING BEHIND ME NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY MOTORCYCLE AND SIGNALED FOR ME TO PULL OVER. WHEN I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER I NOTICED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND THE COVER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION JUST FWD OF THE DRIVE SHAFT. I COULD SEE THE GLOW OF …
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65+ MPH ON I-64, A FRIEND RIDING BEHIND ME NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY MOTORCYCLE AND SIGNALED FOR ME TO PULL OVER. WHEN I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER I NOTICED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND THE COVER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION JUST FWD OF THE DRIVE SHAFT. I COULD SEE THE GLOW OF FLAMES STILL BURNING THROUGH THE HOLE WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS PASSES. THE FIRE KEPT BURNING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AS I TRIED TO PUT IT OUT BY SMOTHERING IT WITH A RAG. MY FRIEND CALLED THE STATE POLICE WHILE I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THEY ARRIVED WITH AN AMBULANCE AND FIRE TRUCK, BUT JUST AFTER THE FIRE BURNED ITSELF OUT. AFTER REMOVING THE COVER, I FOUND THE HARNESS COMPLETELY FRIED AND MELTED INSULATOR ALL OVER EVERYTHING. TAKING THE BIKE INTO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR TUESDAY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158463
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 ↗
THIS PE WAS OPENED ON THE BASIS OF EWR DEALER FIELD REPORTS SUBMITTED BY KAWASAKI.SUBSEQUENTLY, KAWASAKI NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS RECALLING THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES (NHTSA NO. 07V-216) TO ADDRESS THE FUEL TANK LEAKS.
2003 Kawasaki VN1600A1 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year