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Kawasaki Vulcan 900 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Kawasaki Vulcan 900 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
37
Years to Avoid
2023, 2020, 2011, 2009, 2008
Best Years
2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990
2026Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2025Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2024Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2023Avoid
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
2022Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2021
1 complaints0 recalls
2020Avoid
2 complaints0 recalls
2019Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2018Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2017
1 complaints0 recalls
2016Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2015
1 complaints0 recalls
2014Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2013Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2012Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2011Avoid
0 complaints1 recalls
2010
1 complaints0 recalls
2009Avoid
3 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
2008Avoid
3 complaints0 recalls
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2023, 2020, 2011, 2009, 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Kawasaki Vulcan 900, consider the 2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

37 model years analyzed