1999 Kawasaki VULCAN NOMAD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
41,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 13 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 15.4% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages: 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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 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: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10434143 · 2011-11-03 (November 3, 2011)
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 FAILURE, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR DUE TO VEHICLE AGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,256.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,256 miles reported. Look up ODI 10434143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857716 · 2000-03-01 (March 1, 2000)
FREL ENGINE OIL PUMP HAS SUSPECTED HIGH INCIDENT FAILURE, CAUSING POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. ALSO, REAR WHEEL LOSES TRACTION BECAUSE OF POWER FAILURE. DEALER IS LOOKING INTO PROBLEM. SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE, CAUSING ENGINE VALVE LIFTERS TO MALFUNCTION (GO FLAT). ENGINE WILL NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, AND LOSE POWER SUDDENLY. THE INHERENT DESIGN OF THIS MOTORCYCLE IS FOR OPEN HIGHWAY INTERSTATE TYPES OF USAGE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER FROM THE ENGINE AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 75MPH COULD END IN SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, RESULTING IN A FATALITY O…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10363996 · 2010-11-04 (November 4, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KAWASAKI VULCAN NOMAD.(N/A) THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER PERTAINING TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT; NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL NUMBER 10V507000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNTIL SPRING OF 2011 DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING PURCHASED AT THAT SPECIFIC LOCATION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10363996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10144833 · 2005-12-09 (December 9, 2005)
DEFECTIVE OIL GEAR DESTROYED THE ENGINE ON MY 1999 VULCAN NOMAD. KAWASAKI IS WILLING TO COVER ONLY THE PUMP AND GEAR OF THE ENGINE BUT NOT THE REST OF THE DAMAGE. I AM GOING TO BE CHARGED OVER $1,700 FOR THEIR FAULTY GEAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO OFFICIAL RECALL, NO INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT TO DO IF THE GEAR FAILED. I TRIED TO WORK IT OUT WITH KAWASAKI. THE LOCAL DEALER IS EVEN ON MY SIDE AND CALLED KAWASAKI MOTOR CORP TO FAUGHT FOR ME. WHEN I TRIED TO WORK IT OUT WITH KAWASAKI MOTOR CORP TECH DEPART, THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO ME THAT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10144833 at NHTSA ↗