The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki Drifter | 1999 |
| Kawasaki VN1500 | 1999 |
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Drifter | 1999 | 4 | 1 |
| Kawasaki VN1500 | 1999 | 2 | 1 |
Other fuel system, gasoline recalls in 1999
37 of the 392 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1999 concerned the fuel system, gasoline; KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. filed 38 campaigns in all.
| 99V338000 7 Dec 1999 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. |
| 99V345000 2 Dec 1999 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 99V342000 2 Dec 1999 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 99V335000 26 Nov 1999 | HOME & PARK MOTORHOMES |
| 99V317000 9 Nov 1999 | KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. |
| 99V318000 9 Nov 1999 | KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. |
| 99V311000 4 Nov 1999 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 99V309000 2 Nov 1999 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1999