Investigations
Loss of headlights
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE20004 — closed, opened 2020-04-07 and involving the SUZUKI SUZUKI.
NHTSA investigation PE20004 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2020-04-07 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 2020-10-30 — 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 PE20004 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: "The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on April 17th, 2020 to investigate Early Warning Reporting (EWR) reports submitted by Suzuki alleging loss of headlights on model year (MY..." 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
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on April 17th, 2020 to investigate Early Warning Reporting (EWR) reports submitted by Suzuki alleging loss of headlights on model year (MY) 2018 Suzuki GSX 250R motorcycles. On May 29, 2020, ODI learned, through the Suzuki response to an ODI Information Request (IR) letter, that they were aware of two complaints, multiple field reports, thirty-six warranty claims and one goodwill claim describing headlight failures on the subject motorcycles. Within the field reports, ODI discovered there were many failures involving both the low and high beams on the same motorcycle, resulting in a complete loss of vehicle lighting. All reported failures occurred on MY 2018 bikes equipped with headlight assembly part number 35100-20K30. Additionally, Suzuki made ODI aware of a design change effective February 27, 2018 on MY 2019 motorcycles that resulted in a headlight assembly part number change to 35100-20K31. This design change was made to improve serviceability of the headlamp bulb. According to Suzuki, the holding part of the bulb spring had a structure that allowed the bulb spring to become displaced from its proper mounting position when the bulb spring was removed from the holding claw to replace the bulb. Analysis of headlamp failure data showed that no MY 2019 motorcycles, or bikes manufactured with the updated headlight assembly, experienced a headlight failure. The original headlight assembly was withdrawn from production and the redesigned headlight was made available as a service replacement part in September 2018. The modified headlight can be interchanged with earlier production assemblies. Discussions between ODI and Suzuki resulted in the manufacturer recalling MY 2018 Suzuki GSX 250R motorcycles for a sudden loss of headlamp illumination. This sudden failure could reduce operator visibility and/or conspicuity, increasing the risk of a crash. This Preliminary Evaluation has been clos
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
Motorcycle Stalling
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.