1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER
The 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. The most commonly reported problem area is the Unknown Or Other (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER, potentially affecting up to 2,779 vehicles.
Recall 99V067000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
| 2,779 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
I OWN A 1999 KAWASAKI 1500 DRIFTER MOTORCYCLE THAT I BOUGHT NEW FROM G&G CYCLES, 142 LAFAYETTE ROAD, SALISBURY, MA, 01952. SINCE IT WAS NEW THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD COME ON WHEN I STARTED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DEALER HAD NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT IT CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE, IF I FAILED TO TURN IT OFF BEFORE DRIVING, IT WOULD SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WAS TURNING WHEN I WAS NOT IN FACT GOING TO DO SO, MAKING THEM TAKE DANGEROUS ACTION. IN THE LAST SEASON OF USING THE MOTORCYCLE THE PROBLEM WORSENED. NOW THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK FOR ONLY SEVERAL FLASHES AND THEN THEY BLOW THE MAIN FUSE FOR THE TURN SIGNALS RENDERING THEM INOPERATIVE, AGAIN, A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT THEY CAN FIX IT ASIDE FROM TRYING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ELECTRONICS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS ALSO RENDERS THE MOTORCYCLE UNABLE TO PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION AND THEREFORE, INOPERABLE ON PUBLIC ROADS. I WOULD LIKE THE DEALER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ORIGINAL DEFECT AND FIX MY MOTORCYCLE. I AM USING AN INCIDENT DATE THAT COINCIDES WITH THE FIRST TIME, AT PURCHASE, THAT I NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR HELPING WITH THIS, GARY LOWE 603-431-7484. *NM
WITH THE CYCLE ON THE SIDE STAND, OF THE BIKE IS ON A SLIGHT DOWN HILL DECLINE OR GREATER, THE BIKE WILL MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN AND TIP OVER. THIS NOT ONLY CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CYCLE, BUT COULD FALL ON TOP OF AN INDIVIDUAL CAUSING INJURY.*AK
KICKSTAND HAS NO LOCKING DEVICE. THIS CAUSES THE STAND TO FAIL TO SUPPOT THE BIKE IN CERTAIN PARKING SITUATIONS.*AK
WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS PARKED IDLING, THE BIKE WILL FALL OVER DUE TO NO LOCKING POSTION ON THE SIDESTAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY OF THE RIDER OR OTHERS STANDING NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK
Safety Rating for the 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KAWASAKI DRIFTER
- 1999 KAWASAKI DRIFTER (current)
- 2000 KAWASAKI DRIFTER — 1 complaint
Other KAWASAKI Models
- KAWASAKI KLR650 — 229 total complaints
- KAWASAKI KAWASAKI — 102 total complaints
- KAWASAKI NINJA 300 — 77 total complaints
- KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R — 77 total complaints
- KAWASAKI VULCAN — 70 total complaints
- KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 — 64 total complaints
- KAWASAKI NINJA — 53 total complaints
- KAWASAKI VULCAN 1500 — 31 total complaints