Owners have filed 26 complaints
about the 2002 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle with NHTSA between 2002 and 2004.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 57
Against the median year of the Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2002 compares with every other Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2002 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
934.6%
Median failure at 4,400 miles
Engine & Cooling
934.6%
Median failure at 1,707 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
311.5%
Median failure at 6,500 miles
Lights
27.7%
Suspension
13.8%
Median failure at 2,800 miles
Brakes
13.8%
Median failure at 2,800 miles
Steering
13.8%
Median failure at 8,500 miles
Exactly what failed
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Engine
523.8%
Manual Transmission
419.0%
Clutch Assembly
314.3%
Gasoline
314.3%
Fuel Injection System
29.5%
Headlights
29.5%
Axle Hubs
14.8%
Pads
14.8%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
419.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1676.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
14.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2002peak 4Sep 2004
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 6,500 milesBellville, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10090455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10075231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesMarkleton, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10075128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,800 milesPflugerville, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,500 milesLoganville, GA
STEERING
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
NHTSA complaint #10070444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,800 milesMelbourne, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,800 milesMelbourne, FL
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,800 milesMelbourne, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 600 milesValley City, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WHEN CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE EXHAUST SYSTEM LEAKED OIL. CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED,BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10065134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newnan, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10052752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maytown, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
POOR FRONT LIGHTING WHICH DETERIORATES OVER TIME AND MILES ON 2002 SUZUKI GSF1200S (BANDIT).
NHTSA complaint #10047741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,400 milesMountain Home, AR
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10037317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,100 milesSmyrna, GA
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10036745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,800 milesKnoxville, TN
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF 4TH GEAR UNDER A PULL.
NHTSA complaint #10030861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesPembroke Pines, FL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
HAYABUSA 2002 WITH 10 K MILES IS DEMONSTRATING A PROBLEM THAT IS ONLY RECOGNIZED AT 2ND GEAR.I BROTH THE BIKE 3 TIMES TO DEALER AND AFTER MANY WEEKS OF DIAGNOSE AND MECHANICS THEY CONFIRM THE PROBLEM.*AK 2ND GEAR IS POPPING OUT AT 7K RPM AND REPAIR DEALER WOULDNT REPAIR IT IF A AUTHORIZATION IS NOT SIGN BY ME. CALLED SUZUKI FOR WARRANTY AND THE RESPONSE WAS THAT IS THE WAY IT WORKS. SUZUKI HAVE THE WORST WARRANTY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SUZUKI AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10025891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120 milesSuffolk, VA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
FALSE NEUTRAL WHEN SHIFTING.
NHTSA complaint #10023832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesTorrance, CA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
FAILED CLUTCH BASKET MECHANISM CAUSING SHUDDERING AND POOR PERFORMANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10021176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,808 milesMill Valley, CA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE EXHIBITS EXTREME NOISE AND VIBRATION FROM CLUTCH AREA. VISUAL INSPECTION SHOWS CLUCTH BASKET ASSEMBLY TO BE EXTREMELY SLOPPY IN FIT. OTHER OWNERS (REFERENCE: HTTP://AUTOS.GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/VSTROM2/DATABASE?METHOD=REPORTROWS&TBL=4) REPORT CLUTCH BASKET REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY RESOLVES SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. BUT MANUFACTURER IS REPLACING PROBLEM PART WITH IDENTICAL UNIT. I BELIEVE THEY NEED TO BE 'URGED' TO REDESIGN PART PROPERLY, AND RETROFIT ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10021173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesAurora, CO
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
SUZUKI DL-1000 V-STROM PROBLEM - CLUTCH BASKET WEARS OUT AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, THE SAME PROBLEM IS STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER ONLY 3000 MILES. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE CLUTCH BASKET DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE FIXED IN A DIFFERENT MANNER RATHER THAN JUST REPLACING WITH THE SAME PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10021179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,700 milesNewtown, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING OIL LEAKED ONTO THE REAR TIRE. *NLM THE CAUSE WAS MASSIVE CRANK CASE PRESSURE IN WHICH THE MOTOR BUILT UP THE CRANK CASE AND POURED OIL OUT OF THE MUFFLER AIR BOX INTO THE MOTOR WITHOUT WARNING. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10019360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 600 milesMazareth, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
(SUZUKI GS650 2002) THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE ENGINES OF MOST 2001/2002 SUZUKI BANDIT 1200 MOTORCYCLES. HUNDREDS OF OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SMOKING AND HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION SINCE BUYING THIS MOTORCYCLE. THEY CERTAINLY CANNOT PASS EPA EMISSIONS STANDARDS IF THEY SMOKE. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***761433
NHTSA complaint #10009196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,915 milesFort Myers, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE OIL LEAKED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE ENGINE CASE WHERE THE BOLT HOLE WAS POSITIONED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTOR (2002 SUZUKI MARAUDER). *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesGeorgetown, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
FAILURE OF SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PISTONS IN 2001-2002 SUZUKI BANDIT MOTORCYCLES (GSF 1200). THEY ISSUED A TSB SAYING THEY WOULD DO SO IF THE MOTORCYCLE BURNED MORE THAN 1 QUART IN 600 (NOT A MISPRINT) MILES. THAT'S ALMOST A GALLON BETWEEN OIL CHANGES RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. PLEASE SEE SUZUKI TSB #129. I BELIEVE THAT AT THAT RATE OF CONSUMPTION ENGINE SEIZURE AT SPEED COULD BECOME AN ISSUE RESULTING IN INJURY AND DEATH TO THE RIDER. SEE RELATED INFORMATION AT: HTTP://WWW.MAXIMUM-SUZUKI.COM/IBF/INDEX.PHP?S=95E46471B8A65930A70342CAB9325053&ACT=SF&F=18
NHTSA complaint #10005717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Torrance, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #769855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brandon, MS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT CAUSE. DT
NHTSA complaint #769582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.