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2003 Kawasaki Vulcan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
8Owner complaints

Model-year median: 4

1Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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2006
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
4Electrical System
1Engine
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Suspension
1

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: 8 of 8 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. 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.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

1 reports
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35,000 miles · Mar 6, 2006
Electrical SystemFire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVE TRAIN. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE FIRE WAS SUSPECTED TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE DUE TO DAMAGE SUS…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE MOTORCYCLE FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVE TRAIN. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE FIRE WAS SUSPECTED TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE DUE TO DAMAGE SUSTAINED TO THE WIRING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10152058

Official recalls

1

04V023000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jan 12, 2004

ON CERTAIN 2003 VULCAN 1500 CLASSIC, 1500 DRIFTER, 2003-2004 1500 MEAN STREAK, 2003 1600 CLASSIC, AND 2003-2004 NOMAD FL MODEL MOTORCYCLES, HIGH OIL PRESSURE UPON A COLD START-UP CAN DEFORM THE OIL FILTER CARTRIDGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE OIL TO LEAK FROM THE OIL FILTER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL FILTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400.

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.