NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Kawasaki VN1500-E5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Kawasaki VN1500-E5 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kawasaki dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Kawasaki VN1500-E5. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

NHTSA #02V261000

Reported September 23, 2002 · KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 698 vehicles

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A FLANGE ON THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT CAN FRACTURE, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE WITH POSSIBLE ENGINE LOCK-UP.

Safety consequence

FLANGE FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE OUTER GEAR ON THE SHAFT TO CONTACT THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING, PIECES OF THE FLANGE COULD INTERFERE WITH TRANSMISSION OPERATION, OR OPERATION IN FIRST GEAR COULD ALLOW TWO SETS OF TRANSMISSION GEARS TO MESH SIMULTANEOUSLY. THESE FAILURES COULD CAUSE SUDDEN TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP WHICH WOULD CAUSE BOTH THE ENGINE AND REAR WHEEL TO STOP SUDDENLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL DISASSEMBLE THE ENGINE AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 11, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Check your 2002 Kawasaki VN1500-E5 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kawasaki VN1500-E5 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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