SUZUKI VL1500 · model year

2008 SUZUKI VL1500

9 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008SUZUKIVL1500 carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 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 2008 VL1500 is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by steering (3) and suspension (1). 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.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2008 VL1500. 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.

9
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

9 filings

Crashes Reported

0 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 SYSTEM3
STEERING3
SUSPENSION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
ENGINE1

Recent Complaints

20120912ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE IN TRAFFIC DUE TO FAULTY STATOR/REGULATOR/RECTIFIER - BASED ON INTERNET FORUMS, THIS APPEARS TO BE SYSTEMIC FOR THIS MODEL OF MOTORCYCLE. POSES DANGER AS ENGINE FAILURE IN TRAFFIC COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR SEVERAL SUZUKI MOTORCYCLES THAT USE THE SAME STATOR/REGULATOR/RECTIFIER. THIS MODEL SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED TO PREVENT ANY FUTURE ACCIDENTS. *TR

Mileage: 4,000

20120822STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI C90T. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DECIDED TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO TAKE HIS HANDS OFF THE HANDLE BARS SINCE IT WOULD PREVENT HIM FROM NOTICING THE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500.

Mileage: 14,000

20110916FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE STATOR HAS FAILED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 5000 MILES LEAVING MY STRANDED TWO TIMES AND THE REGULATOR/RECTIFIER HAS FAILED TWICE THE THE CURRENT FAILURE RESULTED IN A FIRE UNDER THE SEAT!!!! I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES...I HAVE SPENT $1500 IN REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE AND AM VERY LUCKY TO HAVE ESCAPED MAJOR DISASTER OR INJURY. THIS PROBLEM MUST BE ADDRESSED! WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE FIRE BURNED INTO THE GAS TANK??? NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO THING ABOUT. SUZUKI MUST BE MADE TO FIX THE CHARGING SYSTEM OF THE C90 PRODUCT LINE!!

Mileage: 31,500

20110822ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT A '08 C90 BOULEVARD FROM A SUZUKI DEALER BRAND NEW IN 2009 AND FROM THE FIRST RIDE THERE WAS A HORRIBLE WOBBLE UPON DECELERATION STARTING AT APPROXIMATELY AT 30 MPH. I TOOK THE BIKE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT AND THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE BIKE AND HE INSISTED THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO MY WEIGHT (350LBS) AND HE STATE HE FELT NO WOBBLE. THIS WENT ON FOR TWO YEARS. AFTER JOINING THE DELFI C90 FORUM I WAS ALERTED TO THE FACT THAT MY SHB'S WERE BAD AND THIS WAS HAPPENING TO HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE C90 FROM YEARS '04 TO PRESENT AND ON BRAND NEW BIKES AS WELL. THIS WILL COST ME $500 TO REPAIR. I WAS ALSO ALERTED TO ANOTHER PROBLEM CURRENTLY OCCURRING, WHICH IS A RR PROBLEM STEMMING FROM A BAD DESIGN IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (SHUNT DESIGN). THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURRING TO HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF VL1500'S AND C90'S. THIS PROBLEM WILL COST ABOUT ANOTHER $400 TO REPAIR. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXTREME SAFETY HAZARDS!!!!.

Mileage: 1

20110822STEERING

I BOUGHT A '08 C90 BOULEVARD FROM A SUZUKI DEALER BRAND NEW IN 2009 AND FROM THE FIRST RIDE THERE WAS A HORRIBLE WOBBLE UPON DECELERATION STARTING AT APPROXIMATELY AT 30 MPH. I TOOK THE BIKE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT AND THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE BIKE AND HE INSISTED THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO MY WEIGHT (350LBS) AND HE STATE HE FELT NO WOBBLE. THIS WENT ON FOR TWO YEARS. AFTER JOINING THE DELFI C90 FORUM I WAS ALERTED TO THE FACT THAT MY SHB'S WERE BAD AND THIS WAS HAPPENING TO HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE C90 FROM YEARS '04 TO PRESENT AND ON BRAND NEW BIKES AS WELL. THIS WILL COST ME $500 TO REPAIR. I WAS ALSO ALERTED TO ANOTHER PROBLEM CURRENTLY OCCURRING, WHICH IS A RR PROBLEM STEMMING FROM A BAD DESIGN IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (SHUNT DESIGN). THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURRING TO HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF VL1500'S AND C90'S. THIS PROBLEM WILL COST ABOUT ANOTHER $400 TO REPAIR. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXTREME SAFETY HAZARDS!!!!.

Mileage: 1

20110819SUSPENSION

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V108000 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR THE REGULATOR / RECTIFIER ASSEMBLIES WITH THE FOLLOWING SUZUKI PART NUMBERS ARE BEING RECALLED ON THE MOTORCYCLES MENTIONED: 32800-41F11, 32800-15H10, 32800-05H11, 32800-41G10, 32800-15H00, 32800-18H00, 32800-05G10, 32800-10G10, 32800-05H20, OR 32800-06G01. I RECENTLY HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 C90T SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE. MY BIKE HAS THE SAME COMPONANTS THAT RECENTLY FAILED. HOW COME THE C90 IS NOT ON THE LIST OF MOTORCYCLES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE STEERING HEAD BEARINGS. ANY OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT YOU HAVE HAD FROM C90 OWNERS, THEY WILL ALSO TELL YOU ABOUT "STEERING WOBBLE" IT HAS HAPPENED TO NEW AND USED BIKES WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. THE BEARINGS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THIS BIKE. A PERSON ON THE C90 FORUM OF WHICH I SUBSCRIBE HAS MADE TMK BEARINGS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THEY ARE THE ROLLER TYPE AND NOT THE NORMAL ROUND TYPE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 12,300

20110819ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V108000 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR THE REGULATOR / RECTIFIER ASSEMBLIES WITH THE FOLLOWING SUZUKI PART NUMBERS ARE BEING RECALLED ON THE MOTORCYCLES MENTIONED: 32800-41F11, 32800-15H10, 32800-05H11, 32800-41G10, 32800-15H00, 32800-18H00, 32800-05G10, 32800-10G10, 32800-05H20, OR 32800-06G01. I RECENTLY HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 C90T SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE. MY BIKE HAS THE SAME COMPONANTS THAT RECENTLY FAILED. HOW COME THE C90 IS NOT ON THE LIST OF MOTORCYCLES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE STEERING HEAD BEARINGS. ANY OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT YOU HAVE HAD FROM C90 OWNERS, THEY WILL ALSO TELL YOU ABOUT "STEERING WOBBLE" IT HAS HAPPENED TO NEW AND USED BIKES WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. THE BEARINGS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THIS BIKE. A PERSON ON THE C90 FORUM OF WHICH I SUBSCRIBE HAS MADE TMK BEARINGS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THEY ARE THE ROLLER TYPE AND NOT THE NORMAL ROUND TYPE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 12,300

20110819ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V108000 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR THE REGULATOR / RECTIFIER ASSEMBLIES WITH THE FOLLOWING SUZUKI PART NUMBERS ARE BEING RECALLED ON THE MOTORCYCLES MENTIONED: 32800-41F11, 32800-15H10, 32800-05H11, 32800-41G10, 32800-15H00, 32800-18H00, 32800-05G10, 32800-10G10, 32800-05H20, OR 32800-06G01. I RECENTLY HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 C90T SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE. MY BIKE HAS THE SAME COMPONANTS THAT RECENTLY FAILED. HOW COME THE C90 IS NOT ON THE LIST OF MOTORCYCLES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE STEERING HEAD BEARINGS. ANY OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT YOU HAVE HAD FROM C90 OWNERS, THEY WILL ALSO TELL YOU ABOUT "STEERING WOBBLE" IT HAS HAPPENED TO NEW AND USED BIKES WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. THE BEARINGS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THIS BIKE. A PERSON ON THE C90 FORUM OF WHICH I SUBSCRIBE HAS MADE TMK BEARINGS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THEY ARE THE ROLLER TYPE AND NOT THE NORMAL ROUND TYPE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 12,300

20110819STEERING

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V108000 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR THE REGULATOR / RECTIFIER ASSEMBLIES WITH THE FOLLOWING SUZUKI PART NUMBERS ARE BEING RECALLED ON THE MOTORCYCLES MENTIONED: 32800-41F11, 32800-15H10, 32800-05H11, 32800-41G10, 32800-15H00, 32800-18H00, 32800-05G10, 32800-10G10, 32800-05H20, OR 32800-06G01. I RECENTLY HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 C90T SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE. MY BIKE HAS THE SAME COMPONANTS THAT RECENTLY FAILED. HOW COME THE C90 IS NOT ON THE LIST OF MOTORCYCLES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE STEERING HEAD BEARINGS. ANY OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT YOU HAVE HAD FROM C90 OWNERS, THEY WILL ALSO TELL YOU ABOUT "STEERING WOBBLE" IT HAS HAPPENED TO NEW AND USED BIKES WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. THE BEARINGS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THIS BIKE. A PERSON ON THE C90 FORUM OF WHICH I SUBSCRIBE HAS MADE TMK BEARINGS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THEY ARE THE ROLLER TYPE AND NOT THE NORMAL ROUND TYPE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 12,300

Compare 2008SUZUKIVL1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 SUZUKI VL1500 have?
The 2008 SUZUKI VL1500 has 9 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 SUZUKI VL1500?
The most-complained component for the 2008 SUZUKI VL1500 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2008 SUZUKI VL1500 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.