2002 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine934.6%
- Transmission726.9%
- Fuel system311.5%
- Powertrain (other)27.7%
- Exterior lighting27.7%
- Steering13.8%
- Suspension13.8%
- Brakes13.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. WHENEVER I RIDE MY SUZUKI SV650S IN HEAVY RAIN I HAVE A PROBLEM. 2. WATER GETS INTO THE FRONT SPARK PLUG AND THE FRONT CYLINDER MISFIRES OR STOPS FIRING COMPLETELY. 3. I HAVE REPLACED THE PLUG AND WIRE AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONSTRUCT A WATER SHIELD. ALL OF THESE EFFORTS HAVE FAILED. WATER STILL GETS IN WHENEVER IT RAINS. TWO SUZUKI DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME THAT NOBODY ELSE HAS EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM AND YET AN ONLINE SEARCH REVEALS THAT RIDERS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE VICTIM TO THIS DESIGN FLAW.*AK
AT 4000 MILES ON MY 2002 SUZUKI DR650SE MOTORCYCLE, THE CYLINDER BASE GASKET IS LEAKING OIL OVER THE ENGINE AND REAR OF THE BIKE INCLUDING THE REAR TIRE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE BIKE TO CRASH IF SUFFICIENT OIL IS DEPOSITED ON THE REAR TIRE. AS THE BIKE IS OUT OF ITS ONE YEAR WARRENTY, SUZUKI WILL NOT COVER THE COSTS TO REPAIR. SUZUKI HAS ALSO UPDATED THIS GASKET TO A NEW TYPE FOR 2004 WHICH IN MY OPINION, TELLS ME THAT SUZUKI ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED TO ME AND CAN BE PROOVEN BY NUMEROUS POST ON WEB SITES INCLUDING THUMPERTALK.COM, YAHOO DR650 GROUP AND MANY OTHERS. IT APPEARS THAT ALL DR650SE'S WILL EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE THIS FAILURE. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *AK
TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF 4TH GEAR UNDER A PULL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2002 SUZUKI INTRUDER 1500,MOTORCYCLE, I RECENTLY SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE BIKE, I THEN DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK ITSELF,I AM ON A 1500 INTRUDER FORUM AND THERE ARE APROX. 20 OR SO OTHERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED HAVE THE SAME CRACK IN THE SAME PLACE ON THE TANK, THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT THAT THE SUZUKI CORP CHOOSES TO IGNORE. OTHERS ON OUR FORUM HAVE CONTACTED THEM AND WITH NO LUCK, THERE ARE A FEW THAT HAD THEM REPLACED THAT WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, MINE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS DOES SEEM LIKE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE FORUM,(WE ALL HAVE THE EXACT SAME BIKE) FEEL LIKE SUZUKI SHOULD PUT OUT A RECALL FOR THIS FAULTY WELD ON THE TANK, I STILL HAVE MY TANK ON THE BIKE AND HAVE SANDED DOWN THE CRACK AND APPLIES JB WELD TO STOP THE LEAK, BUT IM NOT SURE HOW LONG THAT WILL HOLD. *JB
THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSES SURGING, STALLING, AND UNEXPECTED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. UNABLE TO OPERATE VEHICLE IN SAFE MANNER DUE TO UNEVEN AND UNEXPECTED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT A CONSTANT RPM, THE BIKE "SURGES" BACKFIRES, MISSES, AND CAN NOT MAINTAIN A CONSTANT RPM. I HAVE RODE TWO OTHER IDENTICAL BIKES THAT DO NOT EXHIBIT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS AND ARE SAFE TO DRIVE. SUZUKI CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO ADMIT OR ADDRESS THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH CERTAIN SUZUKI DL1000 MOTORCYCLE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMS. DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLASE GO TO THIS WEBSITE ADDRESS ON THE SUZUKI VOLUSIA MOTORCYCLE OWNERS. ://WWW.VOLUSIAOWNERS.COM/MESSAGEBOARD/DISCUSSION.ASP?TOPICID=5&DISCUSSIONID=25339.THE PROBLEM IS A CRACKED LEFT SIDE WHEEL HUB ON SEVERAL SUZUKI VOLUSIA MOTORCYCLES. LOOK AT HUB PICTURES ON USERNAME 'DSRT' WEBPAGE. HIS WEBSITE ADDRESS IS HTTP://WWW.VOLUSIAOWNERS.COM/MEMBERS/PAGE.ASP?ID=1837. THE BOTTOM TWO PICTURES LISTED ARE 'FRONT HUB 1' & 'FRONT HUB DAMAGE 2'. MY HUB IS CRACKED AS ARE SEVERAL OTHER VOLUSIA OWNERS. I BELIEVE THE VOLUSIA MODEL STARTS IN 2001 AND GOES THROUGH 2003. MINE IS A 2002. NOT ALL VOLUSIA OWNERS SUBSCRIBE TO THIS WEBSITE AND I'M CONCERNED SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT BADLY OR KILLED.*AK
MOTORCYCLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR: MAKE: SUZUKI MODEL: INTRUDER LC1500 YEAR: 2002 THE MOTORCYCLE WILL SLIP OUT OF 4TH GEAR AND GO TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT CAUSE OR WARNING. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WITH CLOSE TRAFFICE BEHIND YOU.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DANGEROUSLY POOR LIGHTING ON THE 2002 SUZUKI BANDIT 1200S MOTORCYCLE. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY COLLECTS A FINE BLACK DUST THAT, OVER TIME, BUILDS UP ON THE LENS COVERS TO THE POINT THAT THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS NO LONGER PROVIDE SAFE AND ADEQUATE LIGHT TO RIDE BY.*AK
POOR FRONT LIGHTING WHICH DETERIORATES OVER TIME AND MILES ON 2002 SUZUKI GSF1200S (BANDIT). *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLEASE! HELP ME WITH INFORMATION. THIS IS NOT A CAR BUT I USE IT FOR TRANSPORTATION. HAD A SLIGHT WOBBLE IN FRONT WHEEL WHEN NEW. BARELY THERE, COULD ONLY DETECT AT AROUND 45MPH WITHOUT HOLDING GRIPS. LESS THAN ONE YEAR CUPPED TREAD, NEW TIRE MADE WORSE TO POINT DEALER SAID UNSAFE. DEALER HAS HAD FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS STILL NOT FIXED, MAY NOT EVEN KNOW CAUSE. CALLED GA DEPT. OF CONS. AFFAIRS, YOU WERE ONE OF THE REF. THEY GAVE ME. WHERE CAN I GET INFO., AND HELP? IN SHOP UNDER WARRENTY MFG. NO HELP SO FAR. 2002 SUZUKI 600 MOTORCYCLE. THANK YOU
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AT 2800 MILES. ALSO, HEAD GASKETS LEAKED OIL. *AK PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL. REAR SHOCKS STICKING ON MOTORCYCLE AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AT 2800 MILES. ALSO, HEAD GASKETS LEAKED OIL. *AK PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL. REAR SHOCKS STICKING ON MOTORCYCLE AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .