Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 86 consumer complaints across the 7 model years of the Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle (1995–2003) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 24. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (27 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Suzuki Motorcycle model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 24 | 3,500 | 0 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 24 | 3,100 | 0 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 16 | 3,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 6 | 2,600 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 5 | 28,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 5 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 6 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain27 32%
- Engine cooling20 24%
- Fuel system15 18%
- Brakes6 7.1%
- Exterior lighting5 5.9%
- Suspension4 4.7%
- Body and structure4 4.7%
- Electrical system4 4.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2003: “A small separation of the top weld on the right side of the gas tank on my 2003 Suzuki vl1500lc motorcycle. I noticed it when I was changing the exhaust system on my bike, the fix is to use jb weld to close the crack. Suzuki international will not even talk to me about the problem. They stated NHTSA would have to force them to even acknowledge that there was a problem with the gas tank.”
NHTSA complaint #10100474, filed 2004-11, 26,000 miles2002: “I have had my Suzuki vl1500 lc for one year and have ridden 3,000 miles. At around 2,800 miles while on a ride through the hills, the transmission popped out of gear 3 times in one day. All incidents occured while in 4th gear accellerating under normal load. Since then, there have been several more occasions where the transmission will pop out of 4th gear into a nuetral under similar circumstances.”
NHTSA complaint #10072570, filed 2004-05, 2,800 miles2000: “I have a 2000 Suzuki intruder 1500. My problem is when accelerating in 4th gear it wants to jump out of gear. I recently learned many other people are having the same problem regardless of what year the bike is. I only have this problem with 4th gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10023950, filed 2003-06, 3,000 milesOther Suzuki models
907 complaintsSuzuki Grand Vitara
634 complaintsSuzuki XL7
380 complaintsSuzuki SX4
311 complaintsSuzuki Sidekick
219 complaintsSuzuki Verona
216 complaintsSuzuki Reno
173 complaintsSuzuki VZR1800
142 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology