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2005 Suzuki VL1500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 13 owner complaints about the 2005 Suzuki VL1500, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints131 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage17kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 20, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Suzuki VL1500 has problems

13 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system40
Fuel system, gasoline40
Structure21
Steering10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Suspension10
Vehicle speed control10
Wheels10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2005 Suzuki VL1500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Suzuki.

Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other VL1500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the VL1500 median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2005 Suzuki VL1500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL LEAKPE05031 · closed Feb 1, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-025
In owners' words

What VL1500 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10424530 · Sep 9, 2011 · 18,058 miles
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.…
Complaint 10314924 · Feb 28, 2010 · 1,500 miles
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.
Complaint 10228409 · May 15, 2008

Own a 2005 VL1500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.