2003 Suzuki SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
3,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 24 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.2% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 3 |
2003: 11; 2004: 10; 2005: 3
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10042546 · 2003-10-08 (October 8, 2003)
VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH BOTH AUTOMATIC AND STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS. WHILE IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN THE REAR TIRES LOCKING UP. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT IF VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT A FASTER SPEED. CORRECT MODEL NAME BIRDMAN, 650, 2003,NOT IN ARTEMIS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043263 · 2003-10-20 (October 20, 2003)
UNABLE TO GET TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AFTER A LONG OR HARD RUN. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 4,885 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043263 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100474 · 2004-11-24 (November 24, 2004)
A SMALL SEPARATION OF THE TOP WELD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GAS TANK ON MY 2003 SUZUKI VL1500LC MOTORCYCLE. I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS CHANGING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ON MY BIKE, THE FIX IS TO USE JB WELD TO CLOSE THE CRACK. SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL WILL NOT EVEN TALK TO ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY STATED NHTSA WOULD HAVE TO FORCE THEM TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100667 · 2004-11-28 (November 28, 2004)
THERE IS A CRACK IN THE WELD ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GAS TANK ON MY 2003 SUZUKI VL1500LC MOTORCYCLE. I NOTICED IT AFTER OTHER OWNERS AND I HAVE STARTED COMMUNICATING AMONG EACH OTHER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *AK A COMMON FIX SEEMS TO BE TO USE JB WELD TO CLOSE THE CRACK. SUZUKI INTERNATIONAL WILL NOT EVEN TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE RUDELY TREATED MANY WHO HAVE CONTACTED THEM REGARDING THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. MANY DEALERS HAVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AND IT IS A WIDELYY KNOW ISSUE AMONG CURRENT OWNERS OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032160 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025695 · 2003-07-09 (July 9, 2003)
THIS INVOLVES AN ATV QUAD, ARTIC CAT 500. THE VEHICLE IS REGISTED AND INSURED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A STATE MAINTAINED ROAD NORTH OF FLORENCE AND SOUTH OF BOX CANYON IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA. AT ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR, BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHEN TURNING LEFT AND DOWNHILL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CONTROL IN THE TURN, AND ROLLED OVER THE DRIVER, ME.IT WASN'T UNITL RECENTLY THAT I FOUND THE VEHILCE ONLY HAD THREE DISC BRAKES CALIPERS . TWO IN FRONT AND ONE ON THE RIGHT REAR. HAVING ONE BRAKE IN THE REAR ACTS AS A TURNING BRAKE TO THE RIGHT CAUSIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087048 · 2004-08-17 (August 17, 2004)
BOUGHT MY 2003 SUZUKI INTRUDER 1500 LC NEW IN MAY OF 2003. NOT LONG AFTER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY GOING DEAD. THOUGHT MAYBE IT WASN'T FULLY CHARGED WHEN FIRST PUT IN. IT WOULD BE TOO LOW TO START THE BIKE SOMETIMES AFTER BIKE SAT FOR FIVE OR SIX DAYS. BROUGHT BATTERY BACK TO DEALER FOR A LOAD TEST AND WAS TOLD IT WAS O.K.. STILL HAD SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD TO BRING BIKE IN. THEY SAID VOLTAGE REGULATOR WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. ONE WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM, BUT NOW WARRANTY EXPIRED. WENT BACK AND THEY SAID BATTERY WAS NOW FAULTY AND GAVE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087048 at NHTSA ↗