This motorcycle as others from california, appears to run out of fuel when the tank is 1/2 full or less. It is well documented on the vn forums. It has been given a name of poogs which stands for phantom out of gas syndrome. The dealer escondido cycle center has not been able to fix it. I contacted kawasaki but they will not connect me with a technical adviser. Most owners remove the emission controls. I do not want to. I have had almost 20 incidents on the freeway whereby I had to move to the shoulder with no power. Then the cranking required to start the vehicle drains a battery to near destruction. Kawasaki has a problem with their emissions system and has not voluntarily offered to fix it. It only affects ca vehicles and since many owners are satisfied with removing all of the emissions systems, complaints have been negligible. I want to sell this vehicle without a serious safety issue. If you can not help, I must disable the emissions so that the future owner will not be injured.
The worst 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission4
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission4
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Suspension1
Recalls 1
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the oil filter. Owner notification began on february 2, 2004. Owners should contact kawasaki at 1‑949‑770‑0400.
Recall number 04V023000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65mph, there was a whining noise emitting from the motorcycle followed by smoke. The contact managed to pull over and extinguish the fire. The fire erupted from the transfer case and drive train. Upon initial inspection, the fire was suspected to be electrical in nature due to damage sustained to the wiring. The motorcycle was not seen by a dealer.
After a 15 MPH frontal crash fuel tank started to leak. Motorcycle was towed. Dealership will be notified. *ak the consumer received a recall about the muffler bracket cracking.
Rear drive splines on 2003 kawasaki vulcan 750 motorcycle were insufficiently lubricated at factory. Dealer failed to check lubrication as requred at 6000mi maintenance. Read drive failed (splines sheared) at 9900 miles. Fortunatly rider was able to pull to side of road with out injury. Rear drive was replaced under extended warranty. Vulcan-riding community has noted this problem multiple times on 2003 model vulcan 750 bikes. Return of failed part was requested however was not returned to consumer.
While riding the motorcycle, consumer experienced a sudden lost of driving force to the rear wheel and immediately started slowing down. *la upon inspection of the motorcycle, it was found that the manufacturer failed to lubricate the splined coupling that went between the driveshaft output and the final drive gearbox pinion assembly. (2003 kawasaki, vulcan 750a19).
The motorcycle's splines on the driveshaft were not properly lubricated at the factory. This caused the splines to over run, and resulted in loss of power to the rear wheels. This made stopping the motorcycle difficult. Model vn750 a-19. *ak
Rear wheel locked-up because of transmission failure while riding motorcycle. Gear shift was locked-up and transmission could not be shifted into neutral or any other gear. Repairing dealer found broken pieces in transmission. Manufacturer was notified. The problem appears to be similar or possibly identical to recall for 2002 model year motorcycles under the federal safety agency campaign number 02v261000.
Front forks are bent. Dealer notified.
Compare the 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan
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Questions about the 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan
Is the 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan, 2.7 times a typical Vulcan model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan have?
1 recall, covering engine and engine cooling.
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