2005 Suzuki VL1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
3,150 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 13 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 30.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 23.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 15.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 |
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Hub | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3; Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Steering: 1; Suspension:Front:Hub: 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 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (8). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
2005: 7; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10133156 · 2005-08-17 (August 17, 2005)
DT: 2005 SUZUKI VS1400. THE CONSUMER STATED HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS TANK, AND/OR THE GAS CAP RATTLED. THIS WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING. HE WAS CONCERNED THIS COULD CAUSE A GAS LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED THERE WAS A RATTLE AND IT VIBRATED AGAINST SOMETHING, BUT THE PART WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED IF IT WAS NOT A DEFECTIVE PART THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135234 · 2005-09-03 (September 3, 2005)
2005 SUZUKI BOULEVARD C90 MOTORCYCLE: GAS TANK LEAK, SOME SPOT AS PREVIOUS YEARS. TOP RIGHT CORNER. BAD WELD VERIFIED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER. DEALER ORDERED NEW GAS TANK. DOWN TIME FOR CUSTOMER (ME) 1 WEEK.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,456 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10228409 · 2008-05-15 (May 15, 2008)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10228409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10314924 · 2010-02-28 (February 28, 2010)
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. THESE PROBLEMS ARE INHERENT IN 2005 AND 2006 SUZUKI C90 BOULEVARD. IN 2007 SUZUKI REVAMPED THE STATOR AND RECTIFIER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10314924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134605 · 2005-08-29 (August 29, 2005)
DT: OWNER HAS A MOTORCYLCE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE BALL BEARNINGS FELL OUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO HAVE ANY FRONT BRAKES. THEN, THE OWNER LEANED TO THE RIGHT AND LET THE MOTORCYCLE ROLL TO A STOP. THE FRONT WHEEL WAS WOBBLING. THERE WAS A FRONT WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. IT WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 9,000 MILES. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARNINGS FELL OFF LAST WEDNESDAY. THE MOTORCYLE WAS TOWED. THE OWNER TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPAIRED IT. THE DEA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10134605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138545 · 2005-10-04 (October 4, 2005)
FRONT BRAKE FAILS TO STOP VEHICLE. FRONT BRAKE LEVER TRAVEL IS EXCESSIVE AND OFTEN TOUCHES THE THROTTLE GRIP WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY SIGNIFICANT DECELERATION. DEALER RECENTLY BLED BRAKES AT THE 4000 MILE SERVICE. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT ON OCT 1, 2005 WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. HAD TO CHANGE LANES TO AVIOD A REAR END COLLISION. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER VS1400 SUZUKI INTRUDERS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138545 at NHTSA ↗