Kawasaki VN1700 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
14,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 50.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Visibility: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10534581 · 2013-08-02 (August 2, 2013)
NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION: VERY LOAD CLUNK WHEN RELEASING THE CLUTCH LEVER IN GEAR, ALSO CLUNK AT ANY SPEED WHEN LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE AND CLUNKS AGAIN WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. ALSO GREAT DEAL OF BACKLASH IN ANY GEAR AND GETTING WORST. INDICATING POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10628640 · 2014-08-27 (August 27, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 80MPH IN 6TH GEAR, THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS GRINDING NOISE AND THE BIKE DROPPED OUT OF GEAR. WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO GEAR. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING AND COMPLETE TEAR DOWN AT DEALERSHIP, THE FINAL DRIVE PULLEY INNER TEETH AND THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT SPLINE TEETH WERE BOTH STRIPPED OFF. SUSPECT EITHER WRONG GREASE USED OR THE BELT WAS TOO TIGHT ACCORDING TO KAWASAKI SPECIFICATIONS. VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AS I'D ONLY OWNED IT FOR 19 MONTHS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10806593 · 2015-11-24 (November 24, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KAWASAKI VN1700. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V550000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED BY COMPONENT FAILURE. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. ALL ASSOCIATED FUSES WERE TEST…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10806593 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
2010: 0; 2012: 0