NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Suzuki DL650 Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 Suzuki DL650 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Suzuki dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Suzuki DL650. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Suzuki DL650 owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Suzuki DL650, describing incidents dated March 5, 2014 to October 1, 2023.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 4 complaints
Power Train 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Of the 6 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11562956 · Filed January 2, 2024
ABS pump issue, very likely clogged valves, lead to rear brake pedal locked up in disengaged position while riding - no rear brakes. When I was riding at moderate speed, the ABS module engaged after the rear wheel slid a little on a patch of grass. Immediately afterwards I found the rear brake pedal…
ODI #11034612 · Filed October 19, 2017
UPON PULLING AWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT AND SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR WITH A TOE LIFT ON THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER, THE SHIFTING LINKAGE BROKE AND FELL DOWN. THE LINKAGE ALLOWED THE SHIFTER ARM TO FALL DOWN AND INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING. USING 20X MAGNIFICATION IT APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED IN…
ODI #11002638 · Filed July 1, 2017
GEAR POSITION INDICATOR HAS FAILED YEARLY, PART 37730-44H01, COST IS OVER $100 TO REPLACE. FUEL INJ SYSTEM TAKES INFO FROM THIS PART, THE BIKE GIVES A INTERMITTENT FI WARNING LIGHT WHEN THIS PART IS MALFUNCTIONING. HAVE REPLACED THIS PART 4 TIMES NOW.

Read all 6 complaints

Alternator may not Charge Battery

NHTSA #16V878000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice

Reported December 6, 2016 · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 8,613 vehicles

Repair completion: 68.08% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Suzuki campaign 2A67 · Owners notified January 6, 2017 · Vehicles built August 30, 2011 – October 12, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 DL650 motorcycles manufactured August 30, 2011, to October 12, 2015. In the affected motorcycles, the alternator stator may have insufficient heat resistance, resulting in a short circuit of the stator wires.

Safety consequence

A short circuit of the stator wires may prevent the battery from properly charging, causing an engine stall and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stator, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-714-572-1490. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A67.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Engine Stall due to Tappet and Camshaft Wear

NHTSA #15V852000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 2015 · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 6,214 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.47% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Suzuki campaign 2A50, 2A51, 2A52 · Owners notified February 5, 2016 · Vehicles built June 26, 2012 – December 4, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 SFV650 and AN650A, and 2012-2014 DL650A motorcycles. Contamination from component production and storage combined with manufacturing variations may result in excessive tappet and camshaft wear within the engines of the affected motorcycles.

Safety consequence

The excessive wear may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tappet clearance, replacing the tappets and camshafts, as necessary. All motorcycles that have less than 2500 miles will have their tappets and camshafts replaced since wear may not be evident. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-714-996-7040. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A50, 2A51, and 2A52.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

BRAKE LIGHT ACTUATING SWITCH

NHTSA #12V038000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 2012 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,396 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2A26/2A27 · Owners notified February 13, 2012 · Vehicles built August 30, 2011 – December 17, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AN400, AN650, AND DL650 SCOOTERS AND MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO DECEMBER 17, 2011, BECAUSE THE LEVER-MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT ACTUATING SWITCH(ES) MAY FAIL.

Safety consequence

ON THE AN400 AND AN650 MODELS, FAILURE OF THE SWITCHES WILL PREVENT THE SCOOTERS FROM STARTING. ON ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS, FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH(ES) MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A SCOOTER OR MOTORCYCLE IS BRAKING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITH A TRAILING VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND SUZUKI DISTRIBUTORS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT ACTUATING SWITCH, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-714-996-7040.

Notes

SUZUKIS RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 2A26/2A27. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2012 Suzuki DL650. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Suzuki DL650.

Service Brakes

ODI #11562956

Incident: October 1, 2023 · Filed: January 2, 2024

ABS pump issue, very likely clogged valves, lead to rear brake pedal locked up in disengaged position while riding - no rear brakes. When I was riding at moderate speed, the ABS module engaged after the rear wheel slid a little on a patch of grass. Immediately afterwards I found the rear brake pedal became stiff, and one more test brake later the rear brake pedal became rock solid, and I cannot engage the rear brake anymore while riding. Upon further investigation with mechanics, what happened was the valves on the ABS module were clogged during the movement of fluid when ABS was engaged, therefore locking up the rear brake pedal. This seems to be a common problem for 2012 VStrom DL650A model by Suzuki: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power Train

ODI #11034612

Incident: October 19, 2017 · Filed: October 19, 2017

UPON PULLING AWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT AND SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR WITH A TOE LIFT ON THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER, THE SHIFTING LINKAGE BROKE AND FELL DOWN. THE LINKAGE ALLOWED THE SHIFTER ARM TO FALL DOWN AND INTERMITTENTLY CONTACT THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING. USING 20X MAGNIFICATION IT APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED IN BENDING FATIGUE.

Electrical System

ODI #11002638

Incident: June 6, 2017 · Filed: July 1, 2017

GEAR POSITION INDICATOR HAS FAILED YEARLY, PART 37730-44H01, COST IS OVER $100 TO REPLACE. FUEL INJ SYSTEM TAKES INFO FROM THIS PART, THE BIKE GIVES A INTERMITTENT FI WARNING LIGHT WHEN THIS PART IS MALFUNCTIONING. HAVE REPLACED THIS PART 4 TIMES NOW.

Electrical System

ODI #10949130

Incident: January 29, 2017 · Filed: February 2, 2017

HEADLIGHT GOES OUT WHEN OPERATIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE. DID RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE/HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS STOPPED BY A FLORIDA STATE TROOPER WHO INFORMED ME MY HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. CALLED SUZUKI TO REPORT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED.

Electrical System

ODI #10705023

Fire

Incident: March 16, 2015 · Filed: April 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI DL650. AFTER RIDING 360 MILES, OVER A TWO DAY PERIOD, THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED SLIGHTLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS, BENEATH THE FUEL TANK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BIKE, MELTED THROUGH FIVE WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,800.

Electrical System

ODI #10568806

Incident: March 5, 2014 · Filed: March 12, 2014

THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER IS READING HIGHER THAN THE SPEED AS MEASURED BY AN ONBOARD GPS. THE DIFFERENCE IS APPROXIMATELY +8%. IS THERE A FEDERAL STANDARD FOR VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ACCURACY?? THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT HE WARRANTS THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER TO BE ACCURATE WITHIN 10%. *TR

Other Suzuki DL650 model years

Check your 2012 Suzuki DL650 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Suzuki DL650 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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