NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Suzuki VL800 Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Suzuki VL800 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 9 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 2005 Suzuki VL800. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2005 Suzuki VL800 owner complaints

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Suzuki VL800, describing incidents dated September 20, 2005 to July 17, 2019.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 5 complaints
Wheels 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint

Of the 9 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11233221 · Filed July 18, 2019
BIKE LOST ALL POWER, NO LIGHTS NOTHING AND WON'T START.
ODI #10249325 · Filed November 19, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI VL800. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT THE COST OF $800. ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V566000 (ELECTRICAL…
ODI #10221322 · Filed March 15, 2008
I HAVE 2 2005 SUZUKI C50 BOULEVARDS MOTORCYCLES. I ADDED A LIGHT BAR MADE BY SUZUKI. IT ATTACHES ELECTRICALLY TO A PLUG PROVIDED BY SUZUKI INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT CAN. WHEN USED, IT OVERLOADS THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING HEAT, MELTING PLASTIC INSIDE. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ON THE 2004'S (VL800 VULSIA)…

Read all 9 complaints

IGNITION SWITCH INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT

NHTSA #05V566000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported December 21, 2005 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 23,839 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2085 · Owners notified January 6, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. 2085.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO 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 2005 Suzuki VL800. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Suzuki VL800.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Engine

ODI #11233221

Incident: July 17, 2019 · Filed: July 18, 2019

BIKE LOST ALL POWER, NO LIGHTS NOTHING AND WON'T START.

Electrical System

ODI #10249325

Fire

Incident: September 26, 2008 · Filed: November 19, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI VL800. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT THE COST OF $800. ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V566000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) AND IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS REPEATEDLY INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,000.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #10221322

Incident: September 1, 2007 · Filed: March 15, 2008

I HAVE 2 2005 SUZUKI C50 BOULEVARDS MOTORCYCLES. I ADDED A LIGHT BAR MADE BY SUZUKI. IT ATTACHES ELECTRICALLY TO A PLUG PROVIDED BY SUZUKI INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT CAN. WHEN USED, IT OVERLOADS THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING HEAT, MELTING PLASTIC INSIDE. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ON THE 2004'S (VL800 VULSIA) WHICH RUN OFF A CARBURETOR. THE 2005'S ARE FUEL INJECTED, AND REQUIRE A FUEL PUMP. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION SWITCH IS THE SAME ON BOTH. THOSE THAT HAVE THE LIGHT BAR ON THE 2004'S AND EARLIER DO NOT REPORT THIS PROBLEM. THOSE WITH 2005 AND UP, DO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. REFERENCE VOLUSIARIDERS.COM, AND SEARCH ON IGNITION SWITCH. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THE 2005'S ARE DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL LOAD OF THE FUEL PUMP AND THE LIGHT BAR. THE SWITCH CAN FAIL WHILE IN OPERATION, AND LOSS OF POWER CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I CAN RESEARCH THE FAILURE DATE, BELOW IS A GUESS. THE REPAIR REQUIRES THE INSTALLATION OF A RELAY, USING THE HEADLIGHT WIRE TO TRIGGER THE RELAY. THE POWER IS FED FROM THE BATTERY, NOT THE PLUG IN THE HEADLIGHT CAN FURNISHED BY SUZUKI. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10191401

Incident: May 21, 2007 · Filed: May 21, 2007

THE REAR HUB ON THE SUZUKI C50 WAS FULL OF CRACKS,ESPECIALLY AROUND THE SPOKE HOLES. THEY WERE GETTING WORSE. IF THE HUB DISINTEGRATED IT WOULD KILL ME AND MY WIFE. THIS WAS NOT A ISOLATED INCIDENT,THE WEB WAS FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. I HOPE SOMEONE DID NOT HAVE TO GET KILLED FROM THIS DEFECT TO HAVE THEM RECALL IT. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD ONLY 1500 MILES ON IT , AND WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I COUNTED 30 SEVERE CRACKS IN THE LEFT SIDE HUB AROUND THE SPOKE HOLES. SO NOW WE COULD NOT RIDE IT BECAUSE THE HUB WILL COME APART ON US . IT WAS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. *AK

Electrical System

ODI #10187047

Incident: April 4, 2007 · Filed: April 4, 2007

RIDING MY 2005 SUZUKI BOULEVARD S50 MOTORCYCLE (LESS THAN 10,000 MILES) TO WORK THIS MORNING WHEN THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. THE CONSEQUENCES WAS THAT I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST I WAS GOING IN MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. SUZUKI CLAIMS IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM, BUT THE BIKE IS NOT USED EXCEPT FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND BACK AND SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. *JB

Wheels

ODI #10163668

Incident: July 4, 2006 · Filed: July 27, 2006

MY 2005 SUZUKI C50 MOTORCYCLE HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE FRONT AND REAR HUBS OF THE WHEELS. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 2000 MILES ON IT. I FOUND THE CRACKS AFTER LEARNING ABOUT THEM ON THE INTERNET. THESE CRACKS APPEAR TO BE VERY COMMON WITH THIS BIKE. SUZUKI SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND EITHER REPLACE THE RIMS OR NOTIFY THE OWNERS IF THIS IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED WITH. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE RIDING MY BIKE WITHOUT FEAR OF A WHEEL BREAKING APART. *JB

Structure

ODI #10163615

Incident: July 20, 2006 · Filed: July 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH MAKING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER PEG DETACHED RELEASING THE PASSENGER; A 12 YEAR OLD CHILD. THE PASSENGER WAS SECURED BY THE CONTACT WHILE TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME AND BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED DUE TO EXPOSURE TO AIR. THE DEALER ALSO EXPRESSED THAT THE BROKEN FRAME COULD HAVE BEEN PART OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SCHEDULED A INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE.

Electrical System

ODI #10154190

Crash

Incident: September 20, 2005 · Filed: March 30, 2006

A GENUINE SUZUKI TACHOMETER CAUSES THE SUZUKI C50 BOULEVARD MOTORCYCLE TO STALL AND QUIT AFTER 20-30 MINUTES OF NORMAL OPERATION. THE TACHOMETER PART NUMBER IS 990A0-72001. SUZUKI IS AWARE OF THIS BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. THREE DEALERS WERE INVOLVED IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS. THE FIRST DEALER COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THE SECOND DEALER FIRST INSISTED THAT THE MUFFLERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (FOR WHICH THEY CHARGED ME) AFTER VERIFYING THIS FIX WITH SUZUKI. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER FINALLY DISCONNECTED THE TACHOMETER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TACH WAS NOT A SUZUKI PART. THE THIRD DEALER DISMANTLED THE TACH AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A GENUINE SUZUKI PART WHILE INSPECTING THE BIKE FOR A WIRING HARNESS SAFETY RECALL. WHEN THEY CALLED SUZUKI, THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE TACHOMETER WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH FUEL INJECTED C50'S. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE SUZUKI ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM THAT CAUSES EXACTLY THE SAME STALLING PROBLEM. SUZUKI HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TACHOMETER. AT LEAST THREE DEALERS DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS DEFECT WHICH IS JUST AS SERIOUS AS THE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM. MY MOTORCYCLE RAN FINE FOR 20 OR THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED STALLING. I BOUGHT THIS MOTORCYCLE FROM A FRIEND WHO WARNED ME THAT THE BIKE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT THE STALL PROBLEM STILL CAUSED ME TO DUMP THE MOTORCYCLE TWICE ON THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. AN OWNER WHO HAS THE SUZUKI TACH INSTALLED WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THIS AND IF HE OR SHE HEADS OUT ONTO A FREEWAY, STALLING THE BIKE COULD BE FATAL. SUZUKI HAS OFFERED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TACHOMETER AND IS ARRANGING TO HAVE BRACKETS ORDERED SO THAT THE TACH CAN BE REMOVED. BUT I STILL THINK THAT CURRENT OWNERS AND DEALERS NEED TO BE ALERTED TO THE PROBLEM. *NM

Wheels

ODI #10150003

Incident: February 10, 2006 · Filed: February 10, 2006

MY 2005 SUZUKI C50 MOTORCYCLE HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE FRONT AND REAR HUBS OF THE WHEELS. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 500 MILES ON IT AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IN NOTIFYING SUZUKI OF THE PROBLEMS THEY CONVEYED TO ME THAT THIS IS NOT A DEFECT AND WHERE NOT LIABLE. BUT MY NEIGHBOR'S WIFE HAS THE SAME STYLE BIKE AND HERS HAS THE SAME CRACKS ON BOTH HUBS. I HAVE NOT WRECKED THE BIKE ,I'VE BARELY RIDDEN IT IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS. I'VE HEARD FROM A DIFFERENT BIKE DEALER THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS AND SUZUKI KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IS DOING NOTHING TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO THE AFFECTED WHEELS COMING APART WHEN RIDDEN. NOW I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU,BUT HAVING MY WHEELS FALL APART GOING SAY 55 MPH IS NOT A FUN TIME TO ME. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT SUZUKI IS WAITING FOR...MAYBE THEY ARE HOPING THIS GOES AWAY OR MAYBE IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED OR MAIMED BEFORE THEY ISSUE A MUCH NEEDED RECALL. ALL I WANT IS MY BIKE FIXED OR THEM GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK. RIGHT NOW I HAVE A VERY EXPENSIVE LAWN ORNAMENT. *NM

Other Suzuki VL800 model years

Check your 2005 Suzuki VL800 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Suzuki VL800 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Suzuki VIN