Investigations
Motorcycle Stalling
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE17001 — closed, opened 2017-03-07 and involving the SUZUKI SUZUKI.
NHTSA investigation PE17001 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2017-03-07 and currently closed. The subject of record is SUZUKI SUZUKI, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for SUZUKI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2017-11-13 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE17001 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "On March 3rd 2017 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE17-001) to investigate allegations of stalling when accelerating from a stop on 2014-2015 DL1000 Suzuki motorcycles. ODI c..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related SUZUKI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
On March 3rd 2017 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE17-001) to investigate allegations of stalling when accelerating from a stop on 2014-2015 DL1000 Suzuki motorcycles. ODI contacted 4 of the 5 consumers who had filed complaints with the office and learned they all could engage the clutch as the stalling condition presented itself and keep the bike in an upright, stable position. On May 17th 2017 Suzuki responded to ODI's Information Request letter and informed ODI of 21 consumer complaints and 28 warranty claims alleging stalling while accelerating from a stop on 2014 and 2015 subject vehicles. Additionally, Suzuki made ODI aware of three crashes where the consumer alleged they dropped the bike as a result of the stall (no injuries were reported). ODI contacted the complainants, including the consumers alleging a crash and noted the majority alleged a misfire or a loss in power at cruising speeds or going around a turn. These allegations were not consistent with the alleged defect of this investigation. Furthermore, ODI learned from 2 of the 3 complainants alleging a crash (dropped bike) that they had installed after market equipment on the motorcycle altering its performance and/or fueling strategy. On July 27th, 2017 Suzuki and ODI participated in a joint ride-evaluation of the subject motorcycles. Suzuki supplied ODI with a 2014 and 2015 D1000 motorcycle with original factory settings. ODI solicited assistance from the Virginia State Police (VSP) Division 7 Motor Squad to evaluate and ride the subject motorcycles at the Dulles Airport training grounds. VSP supplied ODI with 4 professional and experienced motorcycle riders. At the Dulles location, ODI created a repeatable test program that would best elicit the alleged defect. The test was a series of accelerating patterns through first gear into second at different distances. After a total of 5 hours of riding the VSP riders were unable to induce or duplicate the sta
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other SUZUKI Investigations
Loss of headlights
Occupant Classification System Failure
HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTION
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
FUEL LEAK
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.