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 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.
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 2 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
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
I STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE WHEN EVER I CAME NEAR MY MOTORCYCLE BUT, I COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE, AS I LOOKED UNDER THE BIKE AND DID NOT FIND A LEAK. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I NOTICED THAT THE SMELL GOT EVEN STRONGER. SO I TOOK MY TIME TO FIND WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I REMOVED THE SEAT OF THE BIKE AND NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT THE T…
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I STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE WHEN EVER I CAME NEAR MY MOTORCYCLE BUT, I COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE, AS I LOOKED UNDER THE BIKE AND DID NOT FIND A LEAK. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I NOTICED THAT THE SMELL GOT EVEN STRONGER. SO I TOOK MY TIME TO FIND WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I REMOVED THE SEAT OF THE BIKE AND NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT THE TABS THAT ARE WELDED ON THE END OF THE TANK (WHICH ARE SECURED BY 2 12INCH BOLTS) WAS WET AND AS I TOOK A CLOSER LOOK I NOTICED IT WAS GAS LEAKING FROM THE AREA. I IMMEDIATELY UNHOOKED THE BATTERY. I CONTINUED TO SEARCH THE BIKE TO SEE WHERE THE GAS WAS LEAKING INTO ( AS THERE WASN'T ANY VISIBLE SPOTS/STAINS ON THE GROUND), THAT IS WHEN I UNLOCKED THE LEFT SIDE COVER, AND NOTICED A POOL OF GAS IN THE SIDE COVER. MY KAWASAKI DEALER HAD ALREADY CLOSED BY THIS TIME (AS IT WAS ON A SATURDAY AND THEY'RE ONLY OPEN UNTIL 2PM). I DECIDED TO GO ONLINE AND RESEARCH THE ISSUE, AND I WAS ABLE TO FIND THAT KAWASAKI DID RECALL THE GAS TANKS ON THE 2003 MODEL ONLY, AND NO OTHER YEARS. WHICH THE GAS TANK FOR THE 2003, AND 2006 MODELS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. I WAS ALSO ABLE TO FIND OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. ONE WITH AN 2004 AND 2006. MY MOTORCYCLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT, NEITHER IS THERE ANY DAMAGE TO IT. THE LEAK SEEMED TO HAPPEN ALL OF A SUDDEN. COMPLETELY OUT ON NOWHERE.
NHTSA ODI #11140501
13,265 miles · Dec 19, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
NOTED A HEAVY FUEL SMELL WHILE RIDING AND PARKED IN GARAGE. THE FUEL SMELL WAS NEVER PRESENT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. WENT TO CHANGE OUT THE BATTERY AND NOTED FUEL IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND IN THE MAIN WIRING CONNECTORS. THE CONNECTORS WERE FULL OF FUEL. THE LEAK APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE TANK. I TOOK THE BI…
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NOTED A HEAVY FUEL SMELL WHILE RIDING AND PARKED IN GARAGE. THE FUEL SMELL WAS NEVER PRESENT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. WENT TO CHANGE OUT THE BATTERY AND NOTED FUEL IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND IN THE MAIN WIRING CONNECTORS. THE CONNECTORS WERE FULL OF FUEL. THE LEAK APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE TANK. I TOOK THE BIKE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO TROUBLE-SHOOT. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE BRAISED TABS THAT HOLD THE REAR OF THE TANK DOWN HAD FLEXED AND CRACKED THE TANK ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AS MY WIFE AND I FREQUENTLY RIDE TOGETHER ON THE BIKE AND FUEL IS LEAKING INTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. NOT SURE WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE HAD THE BIKE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE RIDING ON THE PARKWAY. I WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN BURNED HAD THE FUEL IGNITED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10489238
Official recalls
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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
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No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2006 Kawasaki VN1600A6F Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year