RoadVitals

2006 Suzuki VL800

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.
7
Latest Aug 7, 2008
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.
1
Latest Dec 21, 2005
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Suzuki VL800, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

  • Fuel system342.9%
  • Electrical228.6%
  • Suspension114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

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

1 campaign 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
05V566000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Dec 21, 2005
23,839 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AT THE TIME OF PRODUCTION. IF THE WIRING HARNESS IS NOT ROUTED PROPERLY, IT CAN RUB AGAINST THE CLUTCH CABLE/THROTTLE CABLE.
The risk: CONTINUED RUBBING MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL OR THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT. THIS WILL INCREASE THE CHANCE OF A CRASH RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS AND REPLACE THE LOCK SET INCLUDING THE IGNITION SWITCH ALONG WITH THE CLUTCH CABLE/THROTTLE CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 714-572-1490.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number 2085View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Aug 7, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI VL800. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL FILLER CAP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE FUEL FILLER CAP WAS CRACKED AROUND THE EDGES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FUEL VAPORS ESCAPING THE FUEL TANK. UPDATED 09/11/08

NHTSA ID
10237403
Incident
May 4, 2008
Mileage
6,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 29, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI VL800/C. WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL OR NOT AND THE VEHICLE IS LEANING TO EITHER SIDE, FUEL LEAKS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THAT MANNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF THERE FILLER NECK FAILED THE DAY AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE BIKE. GAS WASLEAING FROM THE FILLER CAP. UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10226066
Incident
Mar 20, 2008
Mileage
3,200 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 6, 2007

SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE 10-3-2007. ON SEPT. 29, 2007 I CONTACTED BRANDON WITH TWIN COUNTY MOTORSPORTS IN ROCKY MOUNT, NC CONCERNING THE REAR WHEEL HUB ON MY 2006 C-50 SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS SEVERAL CRACKS IN IT MOSTLY SPIDERWEBBED WITH ONE MORE OUTSTANDING THAN THE OTHERS. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CONTACT SUZKI AND TRY TO GET ME A NEW REAR WHEEL. I MIGHT ADD THAT THE BIKE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT AT PRESENT. . I CALLED THEM ON TUESDAY OCT. 2ND SINCE I HAD NOT HEARD FROM THEM, BRANDON THE SALES MANAGER TOLD ME HE HAD NOT HAD TIME TO CALL, BUT WOULD AND CALL ME BACK THE SAME DAY. I NEVER HEARD FROM HIM UNTIL WEDNESDAY THE 3RD OF OCT. HE SAID THAT SUZUKI TOLD HIM THAT THE WHEEL WAS ENTIRELY SAFE. THAT WHEN THE WHEEL WAS CAST AT THE FACTORY THE CRACKS DEVELOPED AS IT WAS COOLING AND PRESENTED NO PROBLEM. AND IT WAS ONLY ON THE 2006 MODELS. BRANDON CHECKED A SUZUKI BIKE IN THEIR SHOWROOM AND COUL DFIND NO SUCH CRACKS ON IT. HE DID TELL ME THAT HE WANTED ME TO COME BACK OVER AND LET HIM TAKE SOME PICTURES OF THE WHEEL TO SEND TO SUZUKI, I DID THAT ON THE SAME AFTERNOON. THAT IS A FLAW IN THE METAL AND COULD LEAD TO FAILURE AT A LATER DATE. I AM A RETIRED CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR AND KNOW WHAT CRACKS CAN DO IN METAL AND CONCRETE AND ASPHALT AS TIME GOES ON. IF THIS WAS ON AN AIRPLANE IT WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED OFF THE GROUND UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT AND SAFE RIDING THIS BIKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I AM AFRAID IT WILL SUDDENLY GIVE WAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THEREFORE I AM WRITING THIS AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE FOR MY SON TO FOLLOW UP ON IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN. IF SUZUKI DOES NOT REPLACE THE WHEEL AT THEIR EXPENSE I INTEND TO TAKE IT TO CHANNEL TV 5 (5 ON YOUR SIDE) CONSUMER WATCHDOGS. AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTATION DEPT. WHICH OVERSEES THE SAFETY OF ALL MOTORCYCLES AND OTHER VEHICLES. CARL DENTON *TR

NHTSA ID
10205136
Incident
Sep 29, 2007
Mileage
8,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 15, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006/SUZUKI/VL800. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD STRESS MARKS AND DEEP CRACKS IN THE WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB AREA. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALER AGREED THAT THEY WERE EXCESSIVE, AND ALSO STATED THAT FUTURE DESIGN CHANGES WERE BEING MADE. THE REPRESENTATIVE SHOWED HER A MOTORCYCLE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN THAT DISPLAYED THE SAME STRESS MARKS AND CRACKS. THE REPRESENTATIVE LATER STATED THE DEEP CRACKS AND MARKS WERE SUPERFICIAL WHILE SPEAKING WITH A SUZUKI REPRESENTATIVE. THE SUZUKI MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIV EPART AT COST TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE, AND INDICATED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. ALSO GAVE THE DRIVER THE: FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION NUMBERV 1-877-382-4357. IN ADDITION, SHE WILL CONTACT THE BBB, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 588. *AK

NHTSA ID
10182707
Incident
Feb 7, 2007
Mileage
588 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION - SUZUKI 2006 C50 MOTORCYCLE DRIVING NEW MOTORCYCLE AND APPROACHING ROAD CLOSURE BARRIER, RIDER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND TO AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION BRAKED AND DROPPED CYCLE ON LEFT SIDE SLIDING INTO AND UNDER BARRIER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10171257
Incident
Sep 26, 2006
Mileage
16 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2005

2006 SUZUKI VL800 MOTORCYCLES IGNITION FAILED TO START MOTORCYCLE. I CONTACTED SUZUKI OF NORTH AMERICA WITH NO SUCESS. THE MANUFATURER FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY HELP. MOTORCYCLE IGNITION SYSTEM UNRELIABLE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10146254
Incident
Dec 16, 2005
Mileage
1,814 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 14, 2005

2006 SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE MODEL C50T FAILURE TO START, LEAVING RIDER DISABLED ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL FUSES WHERE CHECK ACCORDING T OWNERS MANUAL, SUZUKI FAILED TO PROVIDE DEALER WITH TECHNICAL. DEALER CANNOT RESOLVE START PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142591
Incident
Nov 13, 2005
Mileage
46 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

30

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ADDITIONAL SERVICE MANUAL INFORMATION. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Suzuki VL800 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000—
2010010—
2009410—
2008310—
2007200—
2006Viewing710—
2005910—
2004300—
2003300—

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.