Vehicle recall 02V261000 · September 23, 2002
Kawasaki VN1500-E5, VN1500-N3 and 1 more model
On certain motorcycles, a flange on the transmission output shaft can fracture, resulting in engine damage with possible engine lock-up.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- On certain motorcycles, a flange on the transmission output shaft can fracture, resulting in engine damage with possible engine lock-up.
- 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.
- 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).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 02V261000
- Reported to NHTSA
- September 23, 2002
- Filed by
- KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.
- Owner notification
- October 7, 2002
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 698
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Kawasaki VN1500-E5 (2002): 2002
- Kawasaki VN1500-N3 (2002): 2002
- Kawasaki VN1500-P1 (2002): 2002
Has your Kawasaki been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Kawasaki dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.