2002 Kawasaki VN1500-E5, 2002 Kawasaki VN1500-N3, 2002 Kawasaki VN1500-P1 Recall: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A FLANGE ON THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT CAN…
NHTSA campaign 02V261000 · Power Train · filed Sep 23, 2002 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A FLANGE ON THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT CAN FRACTURE, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE WITH POSSIBLE ENGINE LOCK-UP.
The risk
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.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
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.
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
Other campaigns involving Kawasaki vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 02V261000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.