2008 Suzuki VL800 recalls and problems

The 2008 Suzuki VL800 has 1 recall and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

How the 2008 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 7 VL800 model years — 6th most.

1recalls
3complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
11,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Electrical System

Feb 23, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V108000 · 73,426 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Owners 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 <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Electrical System2
Fuel System1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

2008 vs. other Suzuki VL800 years

2003: 3 complaints20032004: 3 complaints20042005: 9 complaints200592006: 7 complaints20062007: 2 complaints20072008: 3 complaints20082009: 4 complaints20094

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2008 Suzuki VL800 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2008 Suzuki VL800, the latest from Feb 23, 2011 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Suzuki VL800?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (2), fuel system (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.