SUZUKI SV1000S · model year

2003 SUZUKI SV1000S

31 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003SUZUKISV1000S carries 31 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 SV1000S is electrical system with 7 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition (6) and electrical system:wiring (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2003 SV1000S. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

31
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

31 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE1
SUSPENSION:REAR1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
POWER TRAIN1
ENGINE1

Recalls (2)

06V01300018/01/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN CALIFORNIA-SPECIFICATION MODEL MOTORCYCLES, REPEATED STRESS FROM VIBRATION CAN CAUSE A CRACK TO FORM IN THE AREA WHERE THE LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR BRACKET IS WELDED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS CAN ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE TO OCCUR.

08E05200015/08/2008

EQUIPMENT

MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE

Recent Complaints

20190604ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT CHARGE BATTERY AND COMPLETELY DIED BECAUSE OF IT ONE DAY. OPENED UP MAGNETO COVER AND FOUND THE ROTOR MAGNETS HAD DISINTEGRATED. RUINED THE ROTOR AND MAGNETO AND ONLY HAD 17,000 MILES ON IT. CLEANING UP BITS OF MAGNET ALL AROUND THE CRANK AND INSIDE THE ENGINE.

Mileage: 17,000

20190604ENGINE

MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT CHARGE BATTERY AND COMPLETELY DIED BECAUSE OF IT ONE DAY. OPENED UP MAGNETO COVER AND FOUND THE ROTOR MAGNETS HAD DISINTEGRATED. RUINED THE ROTOR AND MAGNETO AND ONLY HAD 17,000 MILES ON IT. CLEANING UP BITS OF MAGNET ALL AROUND THE CRANK AND INSIDE THE ENGINE.

Mileage: 17,000

20120730CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

IN MID RIDE I WAS APPROACHING A LOW SPEED CORNER AT THE END OF A HIGH SPEED STRAIGHT AWAY. I TRIED TO PULL MY CLUTCH HANDLE IN TO BEGIN TO BRAKE AND DOWNSHIFT AND THE CLUTCH HANDLE HAD NO RESISTANCE AT ALL. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SYSTEM. UNABLE TO TAKE THE DRIVE PRESSURE OFF THE REAR TIRE THE BIKE LOST TRACTION IN THE REAR AND LOWSIDED THE BIKE INTO A 6 FOOT DITCH AT AROUND 60 TO 70 MPH. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES THANKS TO MY GEAR BUT INJURIES NONE THE LESS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS AND ALL OF THEM HAVE STATED THAT HYDRO CLUTCHES ARE DEATH TRAPS. AND ALMOST ALL OF THEM SAID TO GET A CABLE CLUTCH CONVERSION KIT ASAP. NO I KNOW WHY. THIS IS A RESULT OF SUZUKI MOTORS OUTSOURCING THEIR WORK TO CHEAP LABOR AND NOT CHECKING TO MAKE SURE THEIR PARTS ARE WITHIN THE TOLERANCES THAT WERE SET FOR THAT PART. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SUZUKI NEEDS TO SUSPEND PRODUCTION ON ALL SV1000 BIKES AND ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX ALL THE PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN POORLY MADE W

Mileage: 47,000

20120730CrashPOWER TRAIN

IN MID RIDE I WAS APPROACHING A LOW SPEED CORNER AT THE END OF A HIGH SPEED STRAIGHT AWAY. I TRIED TO PULL MY CLUTCH HANDLE IN TO BEGIN TO BRAKE AND DOWNSHIFT AND THE CLUTCH HANDLE HAD NO RESISTANCE AT ALL. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SYSTEM. UNABLE TO TAKE THE DRIVE PRESSURE OFF THE REAR TIRE THE BIKE LOST TRACTION IN THE REAR AND LOWSIDED THE BIKE INTO A 6 FOOT DITCH AT AROUND 60 TO 70 MPH. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES THANKS TO MY GEAR BUT INJURIES NONE THE LESS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY MOTORCYCLE MECHANICS AND ALL OF THEM HAVE STATED THAT HYDRO CLUTCHES ARE DEATH TRAPS. AND ALMOST ALL OF THEM SAID TO GET A CABLE CLUTCH CONVERSION KIT ASAP. NO I KNOW WHY. THIS IS A RESULT OF SUZUKI MOTORS OUTSOURCING THEIR WORK TO CHEAP LABOR AND NOT CHECKING TO MAKE SURE THEIR PARTS ARE WITHIN THE TOLERANCES THAT WERE SET FOR THAT PART. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SUZUKI NEEDS TO SUSPEND PRODUCTION ON ALL SV1000 BIKES AND ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX ALL THE PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN POORLY MADE W

Mileage: 47,000

20111003ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY SUZUKI SV1000S HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE MOTORCYCLE IN MY GARAGE IN MAY OF 2011. I TURNED THE SWITCH AND NOTHING CAME ON. I CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH IT. MYSTERIOUSLY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED WORKING SEVERAL DAYS LATER. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES. ON 09/26/2011, I WAS RIDING WITH MY 12-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER ON A BUSY 2-LANE ROAD. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL EVENING (5 PM, SUNNY, ABOUT 85 DEGREES). WE WERE APPROACHING A STOP SIGNAL (SPEED APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH). THE CLUTCH WAS ENGAGED AND I WAS LIGHTLY APPLYING FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. THE MOTORCYCLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE WE WERE STILL MOVING. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE POWER WAS RESTORED AS MYSTERIOUSLY AS IT LEFT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AS THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT POSTED ONLINE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR THE LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 10,800

20110608FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE MOTOR AND OVERFLOWING INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE LIQUID SEPARATOR BRACKET INSIDE THE FUEL TANK AND UNDERNEATH, THE SEAMS WERE SEPARATED. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK WAS SENT TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED WHO CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V013000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,071 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,245.

Mileage: 16,071

20100514ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION BETWEEN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE MAIN IGNITION RELAY. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF LIGHTS, INSTRUMENTS, AND IGNITION POWER. THE ENGINE STALLS AND CAN EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. *TR

Mileage: 16,827

20091123ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CONNECTOR FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH TO WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED AND THE CONNECTOR NO LONGER HELP THE WIRES TOGETHER FOR THE IGNITION. TURN THE KEY - NO POWER AT ALL TO THE BIKE. I HAVE READ ABOUT DOZENS OF RIDERS THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, SOME HAVE HAD ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT. LUCKILY I WASN'T IN MOTION WHEN THE POWER GAVE OUT. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

20090104ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2003 SUZUKI SV1000, WILL NOT START, NO ELECTRIC AT ALL. MUST TAKE OFF SEAT & MOVE WIRES, THEN WILL START, IT DOES THIS EVERY TIME I TURN IT OFF. HAVE READ MANY POSTS ABOUT THE "GREEN CONNECTOR" MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 6,389

20080828ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL HARNESS ON MY BIKE (SV1000S 2003) WENT BAD AND NO POWER IS GOING TO ANYTHING. *TR

Mileage: 5,800

20080827FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY SUZUKI SV 1000S 2003 # HAS A FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE WHICH CAN RESULT IN FIRE. I FOUND OUT ON THE SUZUKI WEBSITE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. I CONTACTED SUZUKI AND THEY SAID THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR CALIFORNIA MODELS AND MY BIKE IS NOT ONE OF THOSE. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK IS A CRACK IN THE AREA WHERE THE LIQUID/ VAPOR SEPARATOR BRACKET IS WELDED INSIDE THE TANK AND THE SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM WOULD BE A TANK FUEL REPLACEMENT, JUST LIKE IT SAYS ON RECALL ID# 32059 RECALL DATE JAN/18/06. MY QUESTION IS, IF THE PROBLEM ON MY BIKE IS EXACTLY THE SAME WHY MY MOTORCYCLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAME RECALL? THANKS ! WES MORAES. *TR

Mileage: 13,000

20080419ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

2003 SV1000S LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER DUE TO A FAULTY GREEN IGNITION CONNECTOR LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE AIRBOX. THE GREEN CONNECTOR MELTED AT THE POSITIVE WIRE CAUSING LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. HARD WIRED IT WITH SOLDER AND SHRINK TUBING SINCE I DON'T PLAN ON REMOVING THE IGNITION ANY TIME SOON. *TR

Mileage: 8,400

20080412ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE GREEN CONNECTOR CONNECTING THE IGNITION TO THE WIRING HARNESS HAS FAULTED, PREVENTING THE MOTORCYCLE FROM RUNNING. LET ME REPEAT, THE SECOND TIME. I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED, AND TWO MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 28,800

20080412ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE GREEN CONNECTOR CONNECTING THE IGNITION TO THE WIRING HARNESS HAS FAULTED, PREVENTING THE MOTORCYCLE FROM RUNNING. LET ME REPEAT, THE SECOND TIME. I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED, AND TWO MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 28,800

20080228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE GREEN POWER CONNECTOR FUSED TOGETHER, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE GREEN POWER CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

Mileage: 9,000

20080209FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

I HAVE A SUZUKI SV1000S E-33 (CA VERSION) FROM THE YEAR 2003. THIS MODEL BIKE HAD A FACTORY RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK. THE DEFECT WAS THAT DUE TO VIBRATION THE FUEL VAPOR SEPARATOR WELD INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WOULD CRACK, AND FUEL WOULD LEAK TO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER, CAUSING IT TO FLOOD AND DRIP FUEL. THIS REPRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD SINCE IT IS LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE EXHAUST. I TOOK MY BIKE TO A SUZUKI DEALER TO HAVE THE DEFECT CORRECTED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. THE BIKE NOW, WITH ITS NEW, AND IN THEORY IMPROVED, FUEL TANK IS HAVING THAT EXACT PROBLEM. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL, FUEL LEAKS OUT TO THE CANISTER AND ON TO THE EXHAUST. ALSO, ENGINE RUNS VERY RICH, AND EXCESS FUEL IN THE CYLINDERS MIGHT EVEN GET THE ENGINE TO STUCK. THIS EXCESS FUEL FIND ITS WAY TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND WHEN THE ENGINE STARTS THIS TUBES GETS SO HOT THAT THEY START SMOKING AND MIGHT CAUSE THE BELLY COVER TO BURN. THERE IS ABUNDANT EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS NOT JUST AN ISOLATED FAILURE: I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS

Mileage: 28,000

20071230ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

HTTP://WWW.SV-PORTAL.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=27074 NO ELECTRICAL POWER?? GREEN CONNECTOR ISSUE! MY BIKE LOST POWER AND CANNOT BE STARTED. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT RIDING AT THE TIME THE POWER CUT OUT. I HAD TO FIND ANOTHER RIDE HOME AS THE BIKE WAS IMMOBILE. APPARENTLY THIS DOES OCCUR REGULARLY AND BOTH NHTSA AND SUZUKI ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. READ THE FORUM ABOVE FOR MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

20071214ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S MOTORCYCLE. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED BOTH TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED IT TWICE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

Mileage: 23,000

20070511ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THE GREEN CONNECTOR ON THE SUZUKI SV1000S MOTORCYCLE BURNED OUT, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE TO DIE COMPLETELY ON A HIGH TRAFFIC STREET. PRIOR TO THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE CONNECTOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DIE FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND EITHER RESUME NORMALLY IF IN TRANSIT OR DIE IF IT WAS STATIONARY. WHEN THE ENGINE DIED ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS CEASED EVEN IF THE KEY WAS IN ACCESS MODE. TURNING THE KEY SEVERAL TIMES FROM OFF TO ACCESS WOULD RESUME THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. AFTER FINDING A BULLETIN BOARD THREAD ON THE MOTORCYCLE'S SYMPTOMS, THIS LEAD ME TO THE GREEN CONNECTOR"FAILURE. I DISASSEMBLED THE MOTORCYCLE AND LOCATED THE CONNECTOR. SURE ENOUGH, THE CONNECTOR WAS FRIED . REMOVED THE DAMAGED CONNECTOR AND REPLACED THEM WITH SPADE TERMINALS. SO FAR, THE MOTORCYCLE WORKED FINE.*AK CHECK THIS URL FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS. MY POSTS ARE TOWARDS THE BOTTOM UNDER THE NAME "RXSX": HTTP://WWW.SV-PORTAL.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=20730&PAGE=17

Mileage: 14,000

20070511ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE GREEN CONNECTOR ON THE SUZUKI SV1000S MOTORCYCLE BURNED OUT, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE TO DIE COMPLETELY ON A HIGH TRAFFIC STREET. PRIOR TO THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE CONNECTOR THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DIE FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND EITHER RESUME NORMALLY IF IN TRANSIT OR DIE IF IT WAS STATIONARY. WHEN THE ENGINE DIED ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS CEASED EVEN IF THE KEY WAS IN ACCESS MODE. TURNING THE KEY SEVERAL TIMES FROM OFF TO ACCESS WOULD RESUME THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. AFTER FINDING A BULLETIN BOARD THREAD ON THE MOTORCYCLE'S SYMPTOMS, THIS LEAD ME TO THE GREEN CONNECTOR"FAILURE. I DISASSEMBLED THE MOTORCYCLE AND LOCATED THE CONNECTOR. SURE ENOUGH, THE CONNECTOR WAS FRIED . REMOVED THE DAMAGED CONNECTOR AND REPLACED THEM WITH SPADE TERMINALS. SO FAR, THE MOTORCYCLE WORKED FINE.*AK CHECK THIS URL FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS. MY POSTS ARE TOWARDS THE BOTTOM UNDER THE NAME "RXSX": HTTP://WWW.SV-PORTAL.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=20730&PAGE=17

Mileage: 14,000

Compare 2003SUZUKISV1000S to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S have?
The 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S has 31 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S?
Yes, the 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S?
The most-complained component for the 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING.
Is the 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.