NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2003–2010

Suzuki VL800 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 31 owner complaints for the Suzuki VL800, covering model years 2003 to 2010. The 2005 model year drew the most complaints (9), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Suzuki VL800 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

2 recall campaigns on file
31 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
8 model years with data (2003–2010)

most complaints: 2005 (9 for that model year)
top component: Electrical System (11 complaints)
latest recall 11V108000 (reported Feb 23, 2011)

4 complaints reporting a crash (12.9%)
1 complaint reporting a fire (3.2%)
3 complaints reporting an injury (9.7%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Suzuki VL800 complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2005 model year has the most complaints: 9 of 31, or 29.0%. Next come 2006 (7) and 2009 (4). The fewest are for 2007, with 2 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Suzuki VL800 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Suzuki VL800 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury
2003	3	0	0	0
2004	3	0	0	1
2005	9	1	1	0
2006	7	1	0	1
2007	2	1	0	1
2008	3	0	0	0
2009	4	1	0	0
All model years	31	4	1	3

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Suzuki VL800 components

top 12 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 11 complaints (35.5% of all 31), followed by Wheels (5) and Fuel System, Gasoline (4).

Components named most often in Suzuki VL800 complaints (top 12)

Components named most often in Suzuki VL800 complaints (top 12)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Electrical System	11	35.5%
Wheels	5	16.1%
Fuel System, Gasoline	4	12.9%
Power Train	3	9.7%
Exterior Lighting	2	6.5%
Suspension	2	6.5%
Unknown or Other	2	6.5%
Engine	1	3.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling	1	3.2%
Seats	1	3.2%
Structure	1	3.2%
Vehicle Speed Control	1	3.2%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Suzuki VL800 recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name VL800, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2005 to 2010. 5 model years tie for the most campaigns (1 each).

2 recall campaigns

Suzuki VL800 recall campaigns covering each model year
2005: 1 campaign	2006: 1 campaign	2007: no campaigns	2008: 1 campaign	2009: 1 campaign	2010: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 11V108000
Reported Feb 23, 2011
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Model years 2008–2010
Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 motorcycles manufactured from July 2007 through September 2009, equipped with regulator/rectifier assemblies, Suzuki part numbers 32800-41F11, 32800-15H10, 32800-05H11, 32800-41G10, 32800-15H00, 32800-18H00, 32800-05G10, 32800-10G10, 32800-05H20, or 32800-06G01. Some regulator/rectifier assemblies were produced with insufficient adhesion between the power module (circuit board) and the rectifier case that contains a heat sink to dissipate heat. Due to insufficient adhesion, heat generated on the power module circuit board can cause the circuit board to deform, and lift of the case.
Consequence:
This condition causes excessive heat on the circuit board and uncontrolled electric current output, which can result in insufficient charging current being provided to the motorcycle battery. This can cause discharge of the battery and can lead to engine stalling and/or a no-start condition. Engine stalling while riding can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
Suzuki will notify owners and Suzuki distributors will replace the regulator/rectifier with an improved part free of charge. The safety recall began on March 2, 2011. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-714-572-1490.
Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
NHTSA campaign 05V566000
Reported Dec 21, 2005
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Model years 2005–2006
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.
Consequence:
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.
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.
Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Suzuki VL800 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Suzuki VL800 have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Suzuki VL800, covering model years 2003 to 2010. The most recent, 11V108000, was reported on February 23, 2011 and is filed under “Electrical system”.

Which Suzuki VL800 model year has the most complaints?

The 2005 model year, with 9 of the 31 complaints in NHTSA’s file (29.0%). The next are 2006 (7) and 2009 (4). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Suzuki VL800 complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 11 complaints, or 35.5% of all 31. Wheels (5) and Fuel System, Gasoline (4) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Suzuki VL800?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Suzuki dealer.

How many Suzuki VL800 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 31 complaints, 4 report a crash, 1 a fire, 3 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The Suzuki models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Suzuki VIN decoder with every Suzuki model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Suzuki Forenza 2004–2008 · 6 recalls · 907 complaints
Suzuki Grand Vitara 1999–2013 · 15 recalls · 639 complaints
Suzuki XL7 2001–2009 · 5 recalls · 380 complaints
Suzuki SX4 2000–2013 · 9 recalls · 312 complaints
Suzuki Verona 2004–2006 · 6 recalls · 216 complaints
Suzuki Reno 2004–2008 · 4 recalls · 173 complaints
Suzuki Sidekick 1995–2000 · 2 recalls · 149 complaints
Suzuki VZR1800 2006–2023 · 1 recall · 146 complaints

All Suzuki models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.