RoadVitals

2012 Suzuki DL650

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Jan 2, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Dec 6, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Suzuki DL650, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and powertrain (other) categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical466.7%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V878000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Dec 6, 2016
8,613 units potentially affected
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 DL650 motorcycles manufactured August 30, 2011, to October 12, 2015. In the affected motorcycles, the alternator stator may have insufficient heat resistance, resulting in a short circuit of the stator wires.
The risk: A short circuit of the stator wires may prevent the battery from properly charging, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stator, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-714-572-1490. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A67.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 2A67View on NHTSA.gov
15V852000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Dec 18, 2015
6,214 units potentially affected
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 SFV650 and AN650A, and 2012-2014 DL650A motorcycles. Contamination from component production and storage combined with manufacturing variations may result in excessive tappet and camshaft wear within the engines of the affected motorcycles.
The risk: The excessive wear may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tappet clearance, replacing the tappets and camshafts, as necessary. All motorcycles that have less than 2500 miles will have their tappets and camshafts replaced since wear may not be evident. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-714-996-7040. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A50, 2A51, and 2A52.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 2A50, 2A51, 2A52View on NHTSA.gov
12V038000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Feb 3, 2012
1,396 units potentially affected
The defect: SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AN400, AN650, AND DL650 SCOOTERS AND MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO DECEMBER 17, 2011, BECAUSE THE LEVER-MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT ACTUATING SWITCH(ES) MAY FAIL.
The risk: ON THE AN400 AND AN650 MODELS, FAILURE OF THE SWITCHES WILL PREVENT THE SCOOTERS FROM STARTING. ON ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS, FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH(ES) MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A SCOOTER OR MOTORCYCLE IS BRAKING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITH A TRAILING VEHICLE.
The remedy: SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND SUZUKI DISTRIBUTORS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT ACTUATING SWITCH, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-714-996-7040.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number 2A26/2A27View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Jan 2, 2024

ABS pump issue, very likely clogged valves, lead to rear brake pedal locked up in disengaged position while riding - no rear brakes. When I was riding at moderate speed, the ABS module engaged after the rear wheel slid a little on a patch of grass. Immediately afterwards I found the rear brake pedal became stiff, and one more test brake later the rear brake pedal became rock solid, and I cannot engage the rear brake anymore while riding. Upon further investigation with mechanics, what happened was the valves on the ABS module were clogged during the movement of fluid when ABS was engaged, therefore locking up the rear brake pedal. This seems to be a common problem for 2012 VStrom DL650A model by Suzuki: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11562956
Incident
Oct 1, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 19, 2017

UPON PULLING AWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT AND SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR WITH A TOE LIFT ON THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER, THE SHIFTING LINKAGE BROKE AND FELL DOWN. THE LINKAGE ALLOWED THE SHIFTER ARM TO FALL DOWN AND INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING. USING 20X MAGNIFICATION IT APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED IN BENDING FATIGUE.

NHTSA ID
11034612
Incident
Oct 19, 2017
Mileage
17,300 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 1, 2017

GEAR POSITION INDICATOR HAS FAILED YEARLY, PART 37730-44H01, COST IS OVER $100 TO REPLACE. FUEL INJ SYSTEM TAKES INFO FROM THIS PART, THE BIKE GIVES A INTERMITTENT FI WARNING LIGHT WHEN THIS PART IS MALFUNCTIONING. HAVE REPLACED THIS PART 4 TIMES NOW.

NHTSA ID
11002638
Incident
Jun 6, 2017
Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 2017

HEADLIGHT GOES OUT WHEN OPERATIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE. DID RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE/HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS STOPPED BY A FLORIDA STATE TROOPER WHO INFORMED ME MY HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. CALLED SUZUKI TO REPORT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED.

NHTSA ID
10949130
Incident
Jan 29, 2017
Mileage
13,005 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 10, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI DL650. AFTER RIDING 360 MILES, OVER A TWO DAY PERIOD, THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED SLIGHTLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS, BENEATH THE FUEL TANK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BIKE, MELTED THROUGH FIVE WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,800.

NHTSA ID
10705023
Incident
Mar 16, 2015
Mileage
20,800 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 12, 2014

THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER IS READING HIGHER THAN THE SPEED AS MEASURED BY AN ONBOARD GPS. THE DIFFERENCE IS APPROXIMATELY +8%. IS THERE A FEDERAL STANDARD FOR VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ACCURACY?? THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT HE WARRANTS THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER TO BE ACCURATE WITHIN 10%. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568806
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
Mileage
1,050 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Suzuki DL650 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000—
2018010—
2017110—
2016010—
2015010—
2014020—
2013220—
2012Viewing630—
2011200—
2009100—
2008100—
2007210—
2006210—
2005010—
2004110—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.