RoadVitals

2008 Suzuki VZR1800

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.
10
Latest Aug 31, 2021
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 Jun 23, 2015
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Suzuki VZR1800, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), transmission and engine 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

  • Powertrain (other)550.0%
  • Transmission440.0%
  • Engine110.0%

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
15E053000

SEATS:MOTORCYCLE

Jun 23, 2015
308 units potentially affected
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain Accessory Backrest Mounting Hardware kits, part numbers 990A0-75148 and 990A0-75148-BLK, manufactured March 1, 2012, to April 21, 2015. The affected hardware kits are for installing accessory backrests on 2006-2015 Suzuki VZR1800 (Boulevard M109R) motorcycles. The mounting hardware kits may include four 110mm bolts instead of two 75mm bolts and two 95mm bolts.
The risk: If the backrest is installed with bolts that are too long, the mounting bolts may contact the rear tire, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will correct the mounting hardware as needed, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-444-5077.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 10
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 31, 2021

I recently purchased a 2008 M109 and had no issues for the first 24 hours. However the next day at a stoplight experienced my first engine shudder from stopped to 1st gear that resulted in tire spin on rear tire and then stall. I have read this is a known issue with the clutch hub but Suzuki will not address. Also related is a high grinding 200-300 RPM before shifting up. I am left with a motorcycle that is an actual hazard in the form that it is produced and would like help resolving this issue. I do not mind paying for parts but Suzuki and their dealers refuse to help.

NHTSA ID
11431148
Incident
Aug 29, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI VZR1800. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, THE GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED OUT OF SECOND GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ID
10908695
Incident
May 6, 2015
Mileage
23,000 mi
Filed Jan 23, 2016

THERE IS A VIOLENT SHUDDER WHEN TAKING OFF IN FIRST GEAR WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. TALKING TO OTHER OWNERS AND MECHANIC...IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH AND SPRINGS AND APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL OF THESE BIKES.

NHTSA ID
10821865
Incident
Jun 6, 2015
Mileage
9,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2015

WHEN RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE IT JUMPS OUT OF 2ND GEAR AT 2000-3000 RPM,S. I CONTACTED THE SUZUKI CORPORATION. I ASKED IF THEY HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEY STATED NO. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE MY BIKE TO THE DEALER AND LET THEM DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. MY BIKE IS A 2008 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS UNFAIR BECAUSE IT'S A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THE M109 I ALMOST WAS REAR ENDED ON SEVERAL OCCASION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10681415
Incident
Aug 19, 2014
Mileage
9,240 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 16, 2011

2ND GEAR FAILED, SHIFT FORK BENT, 3RD GEAR DOGS SHOW WEAR COST $3,322.33 TO REPAIR

NHTSA ID
10436989
Incident
Oct 16, 2011
Mileage
15,591 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 11, 2011

2ND GEAR JUMPING OUT AND CAUSING SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC WHEN SUPPOSED TO BE ACCELERATING. MANY TIMES.HAS BEEN "FIXED" TWICE UNDER WARRANTY BUT STILL HAPPENS. ITS A SAFTEY ISSUE AND I DOUBT I WILL BUY ANOTHER SUZUKI AND I OWNED ONE FOR 14 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS ONE *TT

NHTSA ID
10411907
Incident
Jul 11, 2011
Mileage
5,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 1, 2011

I HAVE A SUZUKI BLVD M109R I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY SECOND GEAR JUMPING OUT OF GEAR SUDDENLY. I AM RIDING ALONG AND THE BIKE WILL START TO SLOW DOWN WHILE I AM TWISTING THE THROTTLE FOR THE BIKE TO ACCELERATE. SUZUKI CLAIMS THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION ON THESE BIKE BUT I HAVE SEEN THE DAMAGE THAT CAN BE DONE TO THE TRANNY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES WITHIN THE PAST YEAR OR SO, ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10398400
Incident
Aug 14, 2010
Mileage
6,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 30, 2011

WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC SHIFTED TO 2ND GEAR AND JUST AS I WAS CHANGING LANES INTO FLOW OF TRAFFIC MY MOTORCYCLE POPS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL LOSING ALL FORWARD MOTION. I HAD TO SWERVE BACK ONTO SHOULDER TO AVOID BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND, THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES SINCE AND SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10398329
Incident
Apr 29, 2011
Mileage
9,860 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

61

ADDITIONAL SERVICE MANUAL INFORMATION - ISC VALVE RESET FOR MODEL VZR1800/ZK8 2008. *PE

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 VZR1800 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023100—
2015010—
2014010—
2013010—
2012110—
2011110—
2010010—
2009110—
2008Viewing101031.3
2007852043.3
2006472145.1

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.