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2009 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 →
5Owner complaints

Model-year median: 4

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
20065
20090
2010
Compare all Vulcan years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
2Engine
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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: 3 of 5 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 2 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 →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THIRD AND FIFTH GEARS, CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO POP THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR AND RE-ENGAGE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE D…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THIRD AND FIFTH GEARS, CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO POP THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR AND RE-ENGAGE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER WAS MADE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 400.

NHTSA ODI #10425782

6,100 miles · Nov 24, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE BELT HAD A CUT IN IT LENGTH-WISE. THE REASON FOR THE CUT WAS THAT THERE WAS NO PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR THE TOP PORTION OF THE DRIVE BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A ROCK LODGED IN THE FRONT HOUSING TRAPPED THE R…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE BELT HAD A CUT IN IT LENGTH-WISE. THE REASON FOR THE CUT WAS THAT THERE WAS NO PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR THE TOP PORTION OF THE DRIVE BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A ROCK LODGED IN THE FRONT HOUSING TRAPPED THE ROCK CAUSING IT TO CUT THE BELT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DESIGN FLAT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 6,100.

NHTSA ODI #10367360

Official recalls

1

10V507000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Oct 19, 2010

KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 VULCAN MOTORCYCLES. THE ENGINE MAY STALL IF THE RIDER IS COASTING WITH THE CLUTCH PULLED IN DUE TO AN IMPROPER SETTING OF THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ENGINE STALLING COULD CREATE A POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECU WITH ONE CONTAINING REVISED SETTINGS TO ADDRESS THE ENGINE STALLING. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI CONSUMER SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 1-866-802-9381.

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.