Suzuki VL800 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
3,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2010 model years. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 31 complaints (22.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 5 | 16.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 16.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 12.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Wheels:Hub | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
Electrical System: 7; Wheels:Hub: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 2; Power Train: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 27 |
| 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: 27; 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 (27). 4 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 | 2 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2005: 2; 2006: 7; 2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2011: 7; 2013: 1; 2016: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 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 10404752 · 2011-05-30 (May 30, 2011)
DRIVING DOWN ROAD DOING ABOUT 25 MPH MOTORCYCLE STALLED WOULD NOT START AGAIN. CHECKED IGNITION FUSE AND FOUND IT TO BE BLOWN. REPLACED WITH NEW 15 AMP FUSE. TRIED TO START THE BIKE AGAIN AND THE FUSE BLEW RIGHT AWAY. INSPECTED WIRING HARNESS AND FOUND A BUNCH OF BURNT WIRES. IGNITION SWITCH WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH. I ONLY HAVE 4694 MILES ON THE BIKE. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DO TO THE BIKE STALLING OUT IN TRAFFIC.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,692 miles reported. Look up ODI 10404752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10154190 · 2006-03-30 (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 FI…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221322 · 2008-03-15 (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…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10221322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10226066 · 2008-04-29 (April 29, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI VL800/C. WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL OR NOT AND THE VEHICLE IS LEANING TO EITHER SIDE, FUEL LEAKS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THAT MANNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF THERE FILLER NECK FAILED THE DAY AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE BIKE. GAS WASLEAING FROM THE FILLER CAP. UPDATED
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163615 · 2006-07-27 (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.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163615 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2003: 0; 2004: 0; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 0; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1