FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Analysis Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Recall lookup Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

2005 Suzuki VL1500 problems

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2005 Suzuki VL1500 with NHTSA between 2005 and 2011. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Suzuki VL1500 All 2005 cars
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

16

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

1,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

100%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2005 compares with every other Suzuki VL1500

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2005 Suzuki VL1500

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Fuel & Propulsion 4 25.0%

Median failure at 3,728 miles

Electrical System 4 25.0%

Median failure at 17,000 miles

Suspension 2 12.5%
Body & Structure 2 12.5%

Median failure at 100 miles

Wheels 1 6.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 6.3%

Median failure at 1 miles

Brakes 1 6.3%

Median failure at 4,800 miles

Steering 1 6.3%

Median failure at 1,500 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 3 33.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 44.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 22.2%

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.

Jun 2005 peak 4 Oct 2011

NHTSA investigations into the 2005 Suzuki VL1500

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE05031 Opened 15 Jun 2005 Closed 1 Feb 2006 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL LEAK

ODI OPENED THIS PE AFTER RECEIVING FUEL TANK LEAK ALLEGATIONS FROM EIGHT OWNERS.SUBSEQUENTLY, WE MET WITH BOTH COMPLAINT MOTORCYCLE OWNERS AND OWNERS OF MOTORCYCLES WHICH HAD NOT LEAKED FUEL AND INSPECTED THEIR MOTORCYCLES. WE ALSO DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH SUZUKI AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL, REQUESTED AND REVIEWED INFORMATION FROM SUZUKI, AND DISCUSSED THIS MATTER WITH COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES ON 11-3-05. SUZUKI HAS DECIDED TO RECALL THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES TO CORRECT THE FUEL LEAK ISSUE.WITH SUZUKI'S ACTION, THIS MATTER IS CONCLUDED AND THE INVESTIGATION CLOSED.A COPY OF SUZUKI'S RECALL I...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Toledo, OH 1 injured

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

2005 VL1500 BOULEVARD HAS FALLEN FROM THE KICK STAND. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE KICK STAND DOES NOT GO FORWARD ENOUGH TO HOLD THE BIKE ON AN INCLINE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE HAS FALLEN THREE TIMES THIS YEAR, IN WHICH HE SUFFERED A MINOR MUSCLE PULL.

NHTSA complaint #10208327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 17,000 miles Boron, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CHARGING SYSTEM STATOR RECTIFIER.

NHTSA complaint #10430902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,058 miles Chapel Hill, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS RIDING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY MOTORCYCLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP WOULD BARELY RUN. SUBSEQUENT TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED THAT THE GENERATOR STATOR HAD SHORTED AND WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING CAUSING THE BATTERY TO BECOME DEPLETED. REPLACEMENT OF THE STATOR, REGULATOR/RECTIFIER AND THE BATTERY WAS REQUIRED. I WOULD EXPECT THESE COMPONENTS TO LAST LONGER THAN 18,000 MILES BUT AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10424530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Oxford, MS

STEERING

THE MOTORCYCLE (SUZUKI C 90 BOULEVARD) WOBBLES UNCONTROLLABLY ON DECELERATION, THAT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL, THIS STARTED WHEN IT HAD ONLY 1500 MILES ON IT. DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING. IT HAS ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS THE RECTIFIER SHORTS OUT. SUZUKI REPLACED THE RECTIFIER AND STATOR. THESE PROBLEMS ARE INHERENT IN 2005 AND 2006 SUZUKI C90 BOULEVARD. IN 2007 SUZUKI REVAMPED THE STATOR AND RECTIFIER.

NHTSA complaint #10314924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Oxford, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE MOTORCYCLE (SUZUKI C 90 BOULEVARD) WOBBLES UNCONTROLLABLY ON DECELERATION, THAT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL, THIS STARTED WHEN IT HAD ONLY 1500 MILES ON IT. DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING. IT HAS ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS THE RECTIFIER SHORTS OUT. SUZUKI REPLACED THE RECTIFIER AND STATOR. THESE PROBLEMS ARE INHERENT IN 2005 AND 2006 SUZUKI C90 BOULEVARD. IN 2007 SUZUKI REVAMPED THE STATOR AND RECTIFIER.

NHTSA complaint #10314924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hesperia, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

2005 SUZUKI VL 1500 WITH SAFETY RECALL FOR THE FUEL PAD. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ORDER THE PART AND LET HIM REPAIR THE PROBLEM HIMSELF. THEY ARE SAYING HE HAS TO HAVE A DEALER DO IT. HE STATES HE DOESN'T TRUST THE DEALERS. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BATTERY DIED.

NHTSA complaint #10228409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hesperia, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

2005 SUZUKI VL 1500 WITH SAFETY RECALL FOR THE FUEL PAD. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ORDER THE PART AND LET HIM REPAIR THE PROBLEM HIMSELF. THEY ARE SAYING HE HAS TO HAVE A DEALER DO IT. HE STATES HE DOESN'T TRUST THE DEALERS. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BATTERY DIED.

NHTSA complaint #10228409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Toledo, OH 1 injured

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

2005 VL1500 BOULEVARD HAS FALLEN FROM THE KICK STAND. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE KICK STAND DOES NOT GO FORWARD ENOUGH TO HOLD THE BIKE ON AN INCLINE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE HAS FALLEN THREE TIMES THIS YEAR, IN WHICH HE SUFFERED A MINOR MUSCLE PULL.

NHTSA complaint #10208327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Venice, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

I RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY 2005 SUZUKI C90 RELATED TO THE GAS TANK. THE RECALL STATES NOT TO OPERATE THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DEALER REFUSES TO PICK THE BIKE UP AND TELLS ME TO RIDE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. IF IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO RIDE, WHY AREN'T THE DEALERS RESPONSIBLE FOR TOWING THE BIKE?

NHTSA complaint #10149579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,800 miles Ashburn, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

FRONT BRAKE FAILS TO STOP VEHICLE. FRONT BRAKE LEVER TRAVEL IS EXCESSIVE AND OFTEN TOUCHES THE THROTTLE GRIP WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY SIGNIFICANT DECELERATION. DEALER RECENTLY BLED BRAKES AT THE 4000 MILE SERVICE. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT ON OCT 1, 2005 WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. HAD TO CHANGE LANES TO AVIOD A REAR END COLLISION. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER VS1400 SUZUKI INTRUDERS.

NHTSA complaint #10138545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,456 miles Bellevue, NE

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

2005 SUZUKI BOULEVARD C90 MOTORCYCLE: GAS TANK LEAK, SOME SPOT AS PREVIOUS YEARS. TOP RIGHT CORNER. BAD WELD VERIFIED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER. DEALER ORDERED NEW GAS TANK. DOWN TIME FOR CUSTOMER (ME) 1 WEEK.

NHTSA complaint #10135234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moravian Falls, NC

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

DT: OWNER HAS A MOTORCYLCE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE BALL BEARNINGS FELL OUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO HAVE ANY FRONT BRAKES. THEN, THE OWNER LEANED TO THE RIGHT AND LET THE MOTORCYCLE ROLL TO A STOP. THE FRONT WHEEL WAS WOBBLING. THERE WAS A FRONT WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. IT WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 9,000 MILES. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARNINGS FELL OFF LAST WEDNESDAY. THE MOTORCYLE WAS TOWED. THE OWNER TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPAIRED IT. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE OWNER THAT THE WHEEL BEARNINGS WERE DERVIED FROM THREE DIFFERENT SOURCES. THEY INDICATED THE BEARNING THAT FAILED WAS CALLED A KACHI BEARING. THE OWNER CALLED SUZUKI AND MADE A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BEARING WITH A KOYO. THE OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE KACHI BEARNIGS TWICE WITHIN 15000 MILES. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THIS PRODUCT COULD CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY TO RIDER OR OTHER MOTORISTS.

NHTSA complaint #10134605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moravian Falls, NC

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

DT: OWNER HAS A MOTORCYLCE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE BALL BEARNINGS FELL OUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO HAVE ANY FRONT BRAKES. THEN, THE OWNER LEANED TO THE RIGHT AND LET THE MOTORCYCLE ROLL TO A STOP. THE FRONT WHEEL WAS WOBBLING. THERE WAS A FRONT WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. IT WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 9,000 MILES. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARNINGS FELL OFF LAST WEDNESDAY. THE MOTORCYLE WAS TOWED. THE OWNER TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPAIRED IT. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE OWNER THAT THE WHEEL BEARNINGS WERE DERVIED FROM THREE DIFFERENT SOURCES. THEY INDICATED THE BEARNING THAT FAILED WAS CALLED A KACHI BEARING. THE OWNER CALLED SUZUKI AND MADE A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BEARING WITH A KOYO. THE OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE KACHI BEARNIGS TWICE WITHIN 15000 MILES. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THIS PRODUCT COULD CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY TO RIDER OR OTHER MOTORISTS.

NHTSA complaint #10134605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles LA Pine, OR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NOTE: VEHICLE IS NOT A VL1500, IT IS A SUZUKI BURGMAN 650 MOTORSCOOTER WHICH WAS NOT A CHOICE ON YOUR DROPDOWN MODELS. SPEEDOMETER IS COMPLETELY INACCURATE ON MY BRAND NEW 2005 SUZUKI BURGMAN 650 MOTORSCOOTER. WHILE DRIVING MY MOTORSCOOTER, I CANNOT GET AN ACCURATE READING ON WHETHER I'M GOING TOO FAST OR TOO SLOW. SOMETIMES THIS SPEEDOMETER IS AT LEAST 20 MPH FASTER THAN WHAT I AM TRAVELING. I HAVE TAKEN THE BIKE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I AM BEING TOLD BY BOTH THE DEALER AND SUZUKI THAT A 10% MARGIN OF ERROR IS ACCEPTIBLE BY SUZUKI AS BEING ACCURATE ENOUGH TO DRIVE ON THE AMERICAN HIGHWAYS. I CHECKED WITH THE LOCAL POLICE AND HIGHWAY PATROLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT WHEN A SPEED LIMIT IS POSTED THAT IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DRIVING - NOT 10% PLUS OR MINUS. I AM ALSO BEING INSTRUCTED BY SUZUKI THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO MENTALLY CALCULATE THE MAXIMUM 10% DIFFERENCE ON THE SPEEDOMETER WHILE DRIVING IN MOUNTAIN CONDITIONS AND CROWDED HIGHWAYS CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY FACTOR. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THERE ARE 2 SUZUKI BRUGMAN 650'S THAT WERE PURCHASED FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE SAME WEEK, BOTH ARE NOW IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. BOTH OWNERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED THAT THEY WILL NOT BE FIXED AND THEY MUST BE RIDDEN IN THIS UNSAFE CONDITION. I WOULD APPRECIATE NHTSA HELP IN RESOLVING THIS SERIOUS SAFETY VIOLATION.

NHTSA complaint #10133619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Lacrosse, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

DT: 2005 SUZUKI VS1400. THE CONSUMER STATED HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS TANK, AND/OR THE GAS CAP RATTLED. THIS WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING. HE WAS CONCERNED THIS COULD CAUSE A GAS LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED THERE WAS A RATTLE AND IT VIBRATED AGAINST SOMETHING, BUT THE PART WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED IF IT WAS NOT A DEFECTIVE PART THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10133156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Fresno, CA

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

DT: SUZUKI 2005 BLVD. C90T -TOURING MOTORCYCLE. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE KICK STAND. WHEN THE CONSUMER PUT THE KICK STAND DOWN IT WILL NOT LOCK AND THE BIKE WILL FALL OVER.

NHTSA complaint #10128605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olive Branch, MS

WHEELS

DT: A 2005 SUZUKI VL800. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR WHEEL HAS SPOKES, AND WHERE THE SPOKES TIE INTO THE METAL OF THE WHEELS IT IS CRACKING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONFLICTING RESPONSES, ONE SAYS IT IS DANGEROUS, AND ANOTHER SAYS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS ONLY 823 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10126689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.