2003 Kawasaki Vn1600-A1 recalls and problems

The 2003 Kawasaki Vn1600-A1 has 3 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is fuel system.

How the 2003 compares

Too few model years with complaints to compare.

3recalls

5complaints

0crashes

2fires

0injuries

35,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Fuel System

May 17, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V216000 · 4,352 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, the fuel tank is mounted to the chassis by means of tabs that are spot welded to the tank, then braised/welded around a portion of their circumference.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FUEL TANK IS MOUNTED TO THE CHASSIS BY MEANS OF TABS THAT ARE SPOT WELDED TO THE TANK, THEN BRAISED/WELDED AROUND A PORTION OF THEIR CIRCUMFERENCE.

Risk: Under certain conditions, repeated stress can crack the tank at the location of the tabs, and allow fuel to leak.

Original NHTSA wording

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, REPEATED STRESS CAN CRACK THE TANK AT THE LOCATION OF THE TABS, AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall began on June 25, 2007. Owners May contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.

Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administrationcustomers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Feb 18, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V063000 · 5,850 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, the muffler brackets could crack allowing the muffler to become loose and potentially separate from the main exhaust pipes.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MUFFLER BRACKETS COULD CRACK ALLOWING THE MUFFLER TO BECOME LOOSE AND POTENTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE MAIN EXHAUST PIPES.

Risk: This could result in a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will reinforce the muffler brackets. Owner notification began on February 17, 2004. Owners should contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Engine

Jan 12, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V023000 · 6,958 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: This could cause oil to leak from the oil filter, which could result in a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the oil filter. Owner notification began on February 2, 2004. Owners should contact Kawasaki at 1-949-770-0400.

Kawasaki recall no. Mc04-04.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

FUEL TANK LEAKS

PE07005 · opened Jan 26, 2007 · closed May 23, 2007 · led to recall 07V216000

Summary

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 vs. other Kawasaki Vn1600-A1 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2003. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2003 Kawasaki Vn1600-A1 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2003 Kawasaki Vn1600-A1, the latest from May 17, 2007 (fuel system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Kawasaki Vn1600-A1?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention fuel system (3), power train (2), engine (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.