Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,215,138 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 1,426 complaints for KAWASAKI
Incident date: Jun 16, 2011
THE ENGINE BURNS OIL EXCESSIVELY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 TO 70 MPH). AN ENGINE LOCKUP DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICANT IS A VERY REAL CONCERN DUE TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION RATE. *TR
Incident date: Jun 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS RUBBER DETERIORATED AND FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,900.
KAWASAKI
NINJA ZX-10R
(2004) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 14, 2012
Incident date: May 30, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX10R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VERY HEAVY VIBRATION IN THE HANDLE BARS. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE M... Read more
KAWASAKI
NINJA ZX-10R
(2004) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Jun 11, 2012
Incident date: Jun 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME DEVELOPED A CRACK ALONG THE WELDS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Incident date: Feb 24, 2012
KAWASAKI VERSYS MOTORCYCLE HAS SIDE MIRRORS THAT ARE ALWAYS SHAKING WHILE DRIVING SO IT IS HARD TO SEE AND IDENTIFY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU CLEARLY. *TR
Incident date: May 1, 2012
FUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE, FUEL WAS PUDDLING ON THE FLOOR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING WHERE THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. CORRESPONDS WITH RECALL #07V216000 ISSUED IN JUNE 2007. A VIN SEARCH ON KAWASAKI'S WEBSITE RESULTED IN A NOTICE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE TANKS IS LEAKING AS DESCRIBED B... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2012
FUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE, FUEL WAS PUDDLING ON THE FLOOR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING WHERE THE MOUNTING PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. CORRESPONDS WITH RECALL #07V216000 ISSUED IN JUNE 2007. A VIN SEARCH ON KAWASAKI'S WEBSITE RESULTED IN A NOTICE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE TANKS IS LEAKING AS DESCRIBED B... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2008
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A DEFECT IN THE KAWASAKI ZX-14 WHICH MAY PRESENT A POTENTIAL DANGER TO OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY BIKE I WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL CONCERNING AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS. WHILE MECHANICS CERTIFIED MY BIKE TO BE WITHIN PROPER GUIDELINES, THEY ALSO NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE MOTOR. AFTER AN AUDITORY I... Read more
Incident date: Apr 20, 2012
LEFT FRONT HANDLEBAR CLAMP/RISER CRACKED WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE ON FREEWAY. *JS
Incident date: Apr 2, 2012
ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENT IN REGARDS TO SAFETY DEFECTS ALLEGATIONS RELATING TO THE KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 POLICE MOTORCYCLES INVOLVING A BLOWN MAIN FUSE AND IMPROPER ROUTING OF A WIRING HARNESS. *TGW KAWASAKI DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRICAL MODIFICATIONS COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD ON THE CHARGING CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE REGULATOR AND THE TWO BATTERIES. OVER TIME, THIS COULD LEAD TO TH... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2012
THE IDLER SHAFT LEVER (AKA "DOOHICKEY") BROKE IN HALF AND THE PIECES OF IT WERE FLOATING AROUND IN THE CRANK CASED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF A PIECE OF THE IDLER SHAFT LEVER GETS CAUGHT IN THE COUNTERBALANCE CHAIN OR CAUSES A CRANK BEARING FAILURE THE ENGINE COULD LOCK UP AT SPEED CAUSING A CRASH. I REPLACED THE IDLER SHAFT LEVER WITH A STRONGER AFTERMARKET COMPONENT. *TR
Incident date: Nov 10, 2011
MAIN WIRING HARNESS HOLDER HOOKS HAS WORN THROUGH THE INSULATION OF WIRES, CAUSING BARE SPOTS ON HOT WIRES. IT BEGAN AS NO HEADLAMP BEING LIT, THEN PROGRESSED TO A NO START SITUATION (HAD TO BUMP START IT), THEN PROGRESSED TO BLOWING FUSE. *TR WHEN I WAS TOLD WHAT WAS WRONG, I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF VIBRATION.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KAWASAKI VN1700-C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AT NIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REFLECTED A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTED HIS VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED ADDING A CHROME VISOR TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE VISOR WAS REPLACE... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2011
DURING A LOW SPEED (LEFT) U-TURN, HANDLE BAR ON RIGHT SIDE (THROTTLE) SNAPPED AT CLAMP CAUSING ACCELERATION AND CRASH. *TR
Crash
1 injured
KAWASAKI
NINJA 250R
(2008) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 17, 2011
Incident date: Oct 22, 2011
THE TACHOMETER NEEDLE BEGAN TO JUMP AROUND WILDLY AS IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE MEASURING RPMS OR AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE WITH THE CDI, STARTER RELAY SOLENOIDS, OR ANOTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE STARTER RELAY SIMPLY CLICKS WHEN PRESSING THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE BATTERY HAS ADEQUATE CHARGE AND THIS ISSUE... Read more
KAWASAKI
VULCAN NOMAD
(1999) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Nov 3, 2011
Incident date: Nov 11, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD MOTORCYCLE. THE ONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70-75 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE PLASTIC AND METAL GEAR. THE PLASTIC AND METAL GEAR FAILED AND CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 15, 2011
THE STARTER IDLER GEAR SHAFT HOLE/SLEEVE IS BORE/MILLED TO DEEP ON THE OUTSIDE CASING. THE SHAFT MOVES TO THE CASING SIDE AND LOSES CONTACT WITH THE INSIDE BUSHING/SLEEVE, WICH FORMS A GAP AT THE MAIN HOUSING SIDE. THERE IS NOW ENOUGH SPACE FOR THE SPACER WASHER TO FALL INTO THE BOTTOM-END AND CAUSE HUGE/CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR
Incident date: Apr 15, 2011
THE STARTER IDLER GEAR SHAFT HOLE/SLEEVE IS BORE/MILLED TO DEEP ON THE OUTSIDE CASING. THE SHAFT MOVES TO THE CASING SIDE AND LOSES CONTACT WITH THE INSIDE BUSHING/SLEEVE, WICH FORMS A GAP AT THE MAIN HOUSING SIDE. THERE IS NOW ENOUGH SPACE FOR THE SPACER WASHER TO FALL INTO THE BOTTOM-END AND CAUSE HUGE/CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR
Incident date: Oct 10, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI KL650E. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE METAL BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE GENERATOR WAS EXTREMELY SHARP AND WAS CUTTING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE PREVIO... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2011
HAVE A 2008 DUNLOP ROADSMART FRONT TIRE 120/70R18 ON THE FRONT WHEEL WITH ABOUT 5K MI. USE. RECENTLY THE FEEDBACK FROM THE RIDE WAS A VIBRATION THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A WHEEL HOP THAT INCREASED WITH SPEED RESULTING IN LESS CONTACT OF TIRE TO ROAD. THE TIRE HAS A SLIGHT BULGE LIKE BUMPS AND I HAVE STOPPED RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE UNTIL THE TIRE IS CHANGED. PURCHASED ON LINE AND INSTALLED BY MYSELF AS I... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2011
DUNLOP ROADSMART MOTORCYCLE TIRE SIZE 120/90ZR-18. TIRE WAS INSTALLED NOV, 2009. TIRE HAD BEEN ON MOTORCYCLE FOR 8200 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 77 IN NORTH CAROLINA WHEN FRONT TIRE FELT OUT OF BALANCE. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND A TENNIS BALL SIZE BUMP IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE. RIDING SLOWLY, I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO A MOTORCYCLE DEALER ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY. AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE... Read more
Incident date: Feb 18, 2009
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... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2011
WHEN APPLYING CONSTANT THROTTLE IN THE 10,000 RPM RANGE THERE IS INCONSTANT POWER DELIVERY. THIS CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE PHYSICALLY SURGE FORWARD AND FALL BACK AS THE POWER LEVEL CHANGES EVEN THOUGH THE THROTTLE APPLICATION HAS REMAINED CONSTANT. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS ROAD SURFACE OR LEAN ANGLE IN A TURN THIS ISSUE CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO BECOME EXTREMELY UNSTABLE. I PERSONALLY HAVE EXPE... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2011
WHEN APPLYING CONSTANT THROTTLE IN THE 10,000 RPM RANGE THERE IS INCONSTANT POWER DELIVERY. THIS CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE PHYSICALLY SURGE FORWARD AND FALL BACK AS THE POWER LEVEL CHANGES EVEN THOUGH THE THROTTLE APPLICATION HAS REMAINED CONSTANT. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS ROAD SURFACE OR LEAN ANGLE IN A TURN THIS ISSUE CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO BECOME EXTREMELY UNSTABLE. I PERSONALLY HAVE EXPE... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2011
WHEN APPLYING CONSTANT THROTTLE IN THE 10,000 RPM RANGE THERE IS INCONSTANT POWER DELIVERY. THIS CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE PHYSICALLY SURGE FORWARD AND FALL BACK AS THE POWER LEVEL CHANGES EVEN THOUGH THE THROTTLE APPLICATION HAS REMAINED CONSTANT. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS ROAD SURFACE OR LEAN ANGLE IN A TURN THIS ISSUE CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO BECOME EXTREMELY UNSTABLE. I PERSONALLY HAVE EXPE... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2011
THIS IS A MODEL WIDE PROBLEM-- FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON FORUMS-- FROM 1999 TO 2009 THESE MOTORCYCLES HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH A SLOW WARM-UP COMPOUNDED WITH A SMOOTH RUN OFF CHOKE FOLLOWED BY STUMBLING WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. I BOUGHT MY MOTORCYCLE KNOWING OF THIS NATURE... THAT IT WOULD NEED EVEN 10 MINUTES TO WARM-UP TO RIDE. BUT I READ THAT ONE COULD WORK WITH THE CHOKE TO GET ON THE ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2011
THIS IS A MODEL WIDE PROBLEM-- FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON FORUMS-- FROM 1999 TO 2009 THESE MOTORCYCLES HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH A SLOW WARM-UP COMPOUNDED WITH A SMOOTH RUN OFF CHOKE FOLLOWED BY STUMBLING WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. I BOUGHT MY MOTORCYCLE KNOWING OF THIS NATURE... THAT IT WOULD NEED EVEN 10 MINUTES TO WARM-UP TO RIDE. BUT I READ THAT ONE COULD WORK WITH THE CHOKE TO GET ON THE ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 28, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VN1700G9F MOTORCYCLE. WHILE PARKED WITH THE VEHICLE IN GEAR, THE CONTACT PULLED THE CLUTCH TO DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE BUT THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10. UPDATED 09/28/11*LJ UPD... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2011
THERE HAVE BEEN NO INCIDENTS TO DATE, PER SE, THAT IS, NO FAILURES, CRASHES OR INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE TIRE IS WEARING IRREGULARLY, AND IT IS IMPARTING POOR HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS TO THE VEHICLE, THAT IS, THE MOTORCYCLE. *TR
Incident date: Jul 20, 2011
KAWASAKI 2009 VERSYS (KLE650): LEFT SIDE MIRROR DOES NOT STAY IN A FIXED POSITION. UNABLE TO TIGHTEN LOCKING MECHANISM SUFFICIENTLY. MIRROR SUDDENLY MOVES DURING TRAVEL POSES A DISTRACTION TO DRIVER, UNABLE TO SEE TRAFFIC IN LEFT REAR-VIEW MIRROR. *TR
KAWASAKI
NINJA ZX-10R
(2011) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 26, 2011
Incident date: Jul 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, DUE TO A POSSIBLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN IT STALLED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILU... Read more
Crash
Fire
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 17, 2011
2009 KLR 650 WITH ONLY 7K MILES, ENGINE CUT OFF SUDDENLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MECHANICS REPORTING THE ENTIRE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE CAUSING DAMAGE IN ALL PARTS OF ENGINE. *KB
Incident date: Jun 23, 2011
REAR VIEW MIRRORS LOOSEN DURING RIDE, EVEN AFTER TIGHTENING, WHICH MAKES IT UNSAFE TO SEE BEHIND. I HAVE TIGHTENED THE BOLTS SEVERAL TIMES AND LOOKED ONLINE FOR ADVICE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR. ALTHOUGH I HAVE ONE DATE BELOW, IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM. *TR
Incident date: Jun 23, 2011
REAR VIEW MIRRORS LOOSEN DURING RIDE, EVEN AFTER TIGHTENING, WHICH MAKES IT UNSAFE TO SEE BEHIND. I HAVE TIGHTENED THE BOLTS SEVERAL TIMES AND LOOKED ONLINE FOR ADVICE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR. ALTHOUGH I HAVE ONE DATE BELOW, IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM. *TR
Incident date: Jul 2, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KAWASAKI ZX600-J1 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME APPEARED TO BE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS IN FACT CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILU... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2011
OIL LEAK IN FRONT OF ENGINE, GASKET AND O-RING. SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL IS LEAKING COMING FROM THE FRONT TOP OF THE ENGINE. *TR
Incident date: Apr 2, 2011
CENTER FORK BOLT, WHICH BOLTS THE FORK OF THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE FRAME, BECAME LOOSE. WAS CAUTIOUS OF THIS HAPPENING AS IT HAPPENED TO A FRIEND WHO BOUGHT THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF MOTORCYCLE, THOUGH WE ASSUMED ONE TIME. ONCE THE ODOMETER HIT 2400 MILES THE BOLT BEGAN TO SPIN OFF. WAS ABLE TO HAVE RE-TORQUED AT DEALER. OF GRAVE CONCERN, AS MY OWN FRIEND WAS LUCKY, HIS BOLT WENT MISSING U... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2011
CENTER FORK BOLT, WHICH BOLTS THE FORK OF THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE FRAME, BECAME LOOSE. WAS CAUTIOUS OF THIS HAPPENING AS IT HAPPENED TO A FRIEND WHO BOUGHT THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF MOTORCYCLE, THOUGH WE ASSUMED ONE TIME. ONCE THE ODOMETER HIT 2400 MILES THE BOLT BEGAN TO SPIN OFF. WAS ABLE TO HAVE RE-TORQUED AT DEALER. OF GRAVE CONCERN, AS MY OWN FRIEND WAS LUCKY, HIS BOLT WENT MISSING U... Read more
KAWASAKI
VULCAN 1500
(1997) — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
May 12, 2011
Incident date: Apr 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KAWASKI VULCAN 1500 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V233000 (POWER TRAIN: MANUAL TRANSMISSION) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WAS... Read more
KAWASAKI
CONCOURS 14
(2008) — SUSPENSION
May 11, 2011
Incident date: Sep 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY SHAKE WHEN THE FRONT BRAKE WAS ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED. THE... Read more
KAWASAKI
CONCOURS 14
(2008) — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
May 11, 2011
Incident date: Sep 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY SHAKE WHEN THE FRONT BRAKE WAS ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED. THE... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2011
I BOUGHT NEW PIRELLY MT66 TIRES 5 MONTHS AGO. THESE TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON A DAILY RIDER (MOTORCYCLE RIDEN DAILY). LAST WEEK, I DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE HAD DEVELOPED A LUMP (WITH STRESS MARKS) AT THE EDGE OF THE BEAD. I HAVE SINCE REMOVED THE TIRE, AND HAVE HAD TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT TIRE. NO WARRANTY APPLICABLE TO MY SITUATION. *TR
Incident date: May 7, 2011
THE 1986-2007 KAWASAKI KLR650 MOTORCYCLE'S TENSIONING SYSTEM FOR THE ENGINE BALANCER SHAFT DRIVE CHAIN IS UNRELIABLE, AND A FAILURE COULD LEAD TO SUDDEN ENGINE LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN INJURY OR FATALITY. THE MOST TROUBLESOME PARTS OF THE BALANCER DRIVE ADJUSTING SYSTEM ARE THE IDLER SHAFT LEVER, P/N 13168-1436 AND THE SPRING, 92144-1860. THE BALANCER ADJU... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2011
FRONT AND REAR WHEELS LOCKED ON APPLICATION OF BRAKES. ABS SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONAL. MOTORCYCLE FELL OVER INJURING RIDER AND DAMAGING MOTORCYCLE.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VERSYS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIRRORS WOULD NOT REMAIN STATIONARY. THE WIND PUSHED AGAINST THE MIRROR AND PUSHED THEM BACK TOWARD HIM WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. HE TRIED TO TIGHTEN THE MIRRORS AND IT BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APP... Read more
Incident date: Apr 14, 2011
LEAKING OIL LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE GETTING IT FIXED FOR THE SECOND TIME NOW. *TR
Incident date: Oct 29, 2010
MY WIFE BOUGHT A 2009 KAWASAKI EN500 VALCAN MOTORCYCLE NEW IN SEPT OF 2008. SINCE THEN SHE HAS RODE OVER 15,300 MILES AND THE BIKE HAS QUIT RUNNING SIX TIMES WHILE SHE WAS RIDING IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN HEAVY INTERSTATE TRAFFIC AND ON BACK ROADS AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 45 TO 70 MPH. THE BIKE WILL RESTART AFTER WE TURN THE FUEL VALVE TO RESERVE AND OPEN THE GAS CAP. IT IS NOT READY TO GO ON RESERVE... Read more
Incident date: Oct 29, 2010
MY WIFE BOUGHT A 2009 KAWASAKI EN500 VALCAN MOTORCYCLE NEW IN SEPT OF 2008. SINCE THEN SHE HAS RODE OVER 15,300 MILES AND THE BIKE HAS QUIT RUNNING SIX TIMES WHILE SHE WAS RIDING IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN HEAVY INTERSTATE TRAFFIC AND ON BACK ROADS AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 45 TO 70 MPH. THE BIKE WILL RESTART AFTER WE TURN THE FUEL VALVE TO RESERVE AND OPEN THE GAS CAP. IT IS NOT READY TO GO ON RESERVE... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 KAWASAKI 1700 NOMAD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM KAWASAKI IN OCTOBER 2010 AND CALLED TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT ON NOVEMBER 9, 2010. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING OVER TWO MONTHS FOR THE PARTS TO BE AVAILABLE AND THE MANUFACTURER ONLY STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER INSISTS THE CONTACT NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE ... Read more
Incident date: May 26, 2010
MOTORCYCLE HAS A FUEL TANK LEAK AT THE MOUNTING TABS OF THE TANK. GASOLINE POURS OUT FROM AROUND THE WELD AREA OF THE FRONT MOUNTS. IT WAS POURING GASOLINE ALL OVER THE MOTOR. SOME OF THE ROADS AND FREEWAYS I TRAVEL ARE BUMPY. OCCASIONALLY, I MAY HAVE HIT POTHOLES THAT MIGHT HAVE PUT STRESS ON THE MOUNTS. UPPER FAIRING STAY ALSO BROKE, VERY COMMON FAILURE ACCORDING TO OTHER RIDERS ( HTTP://FA... Read more