Lemon Law Center

vehicle description: motorcycles (vn1500-j1/l) equipped with a digital fuel injection system and a vehicle-down sensor. this feature is designed to prevent the fuel injection system from continuing to pump fuel if the motorcycle falls down, by shutting off the ignition and fuel injection pump. during battery maintenance, the vehicle-down sensor can be dislodged from its normal mounted position. if the sensor is out of position, the motorcycle may not start or may stall during certain driving maneuvers.

Corrective Action

if the sensor is not correctly installed, the engine can crank but not start or the engine could stop during certain riding situations, like leaning over in a turn. sudden loss of engine power could cause the operator to lose their balance resulting in injury or death.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect for proper mounting of the sensor and re-install if it is not in the correct position. dealers will also affix to the motorcycle frame, a warning label that provides instructions on repositioning the vehicle-down sensor after servicing the battery.

1997 Kawasaki Vn1500

Component

Power Train:Manual Transmission

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: motorcycles. an improperly manufactured transmission gear can cause weakening and eventual breakage of an adjacent gear.

Corrective Action

gear breakage can result in transmission lockup, causing the operator to lose control of the motorcycle.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect these motorcycles and repair affected units.

1997 Kawasaki Vn1500

Component

Electrical System:Battery:Cables

Consequence of Defect

pressure on the battery ground lead (the crimped and soldered termination of the battery cable) from the base of the operator's seat can cause the battery terminal to short out inside the battery.

Corrective Action

this condition could disable the battery and the motorcycle's electrical system increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the existing battery cables with a newly designed cable and inspect the battery to verify that no damage has occurred.

1996 Kawasaki Vn1500

Component

Electrical System:Battery:Cables

Consequence of Defect

pressure on the battery ground lead (the crimped and soldered termination of the battery cable) from the base of the operator's seat can cause the battery terminal to short out inside the battery.

Corrective Action

this condition could disable the battery and the motorcycle's electrical system increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the existing battery cables with a newly designed cable and inspect the battery to verify that no damage has occurred.