U.S. public vehicle records

Suzuki INTRUDER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

97 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

10,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 to 2002 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 34 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Manual Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 97 complaints (24.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	19	19.6%
Braking behavior	19	19.6%
Fuel system concerns	18	18.6%
Engine operation	4	4.1%

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.

Power Train:Manual Transmission

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Power Train:Clutch Assembly

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Suspension:Rear

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Power Train:Manual Transmission	24
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	16
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc	5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	3
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	3
Suspension:Rear	3

Power Train:Manual Transmission: 24; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Suspension:Rear: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 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 (29). 63 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.

1995

1996

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2014

1995: 3; 1996: 4; 1998: 10; 1999: 16; 2000: 6; 2001: 6; 2002: 7; 2003: 18; 2004: 20; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2014: 3

Pattern summary

Power Train:Manual Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 19 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 18 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 10025213 · 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)

THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF 4TH GEAR UNDER STRONG ACCELERATION.T SEEMS THAT THERE IS A FALSE NEUTRAL BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR.THIS IS EXTREMLY DANGEROUS WHILE ACCELERATING AND TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025213 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 841011 · 1999-08-25 (August 25, 1999)

WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO 5TH GEAR, IT WOULD JUMP INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO LOSE POWER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *YC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 841011 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 959109 · 1995-01-23 (January 23, 1995)

REAR BRAKE OVERHEATES AND WEARS OUT AT 4000 MILES. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959109 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 844805 · 1999-08-11 (August 11, 1999)

FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE WEARING PREMATURELY, BRAKES FEEL SPONGY. SEVERAL DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS HAVE RENDERED NO SOLUTION. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 844805 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10011061 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)

MY 1987 SUZUKI 1400 INTRUDER HAS RECENTLY SPRUNG A LEAK IN THE REAR AREA OF THE WELD SEAM. NOT ONLY IS IT DAMAGING TO THE FRONT PART OF MY SEAT, BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT IS LEAKING GAS DOWN ON MY ENGINE, WHICH IS "VERY" HAZARDOUS! *JB I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER MY 1987 MOTORCYCLE, ALTHOUGH IT IS A WELD SEAM DEFECT, BUT WILL SELL ME A NEW GAS TANK FOR $447.15. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FATALITIES, FAILURES, INJURIES, FIRES, CRASHES, NOR DAMAGES OR REPORTS TO THE POLICE YET! PLEASE HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBL…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011061 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 500792 · 1996-01-20 (January 20, 1996)

GAS TANK RUSTED, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK. *SD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500792 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 843353 · 1999-07-26 (July 26, 1999)

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES, REAR BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. WHEN CONSUMER IS COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE MOTORCYCLE BACKFIRES AND STALLS OUT. CONSUMER HAS TO EITHER ROLL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD/ PUT THE MOTORCYCLE INTO NEUTRAL, OR PULL THE CLUTCH IN AND RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 843353 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10061224 · 2004-03-03 (March 3, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED WHEN THE HANDLE BARS WERE TURNED SHARPLY TOP LEFT. ONCE THAT HAPPENED, THE MOTORCYCLE LOST POWER/STALLED OR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061224 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1987

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

1987: 0; 1991: 0; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Suzuki INTRUDER model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1987	1	0	Not available
1991	1	0	Not available
1992	1	1	+1
1993	2	1	0
1994	4	1	0
1995	5	0	-1
1996	7	0	0
1997	3	0	0
1998	13	0	0
1999	14	0	0
2000	18	0	0
2001	14	0	0
2002	14	0	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

97 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

35.1%Usable mileage34 / 97 records

80.4%Valid incident date78 / 97 records

100.0%Valid filing date97 / 97 records

80.4%Ordered incident and filing dates78 / 97 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Power Train:Manual Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	323.1% ODI 10025213 · 8,000 mi THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF 4TH GEAR UNDER STRONG ACCELERATION.T SEEMS THAT THERE IS A FALSE NEUTRAL BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR.THIS IS EXTREMLY DANGEROUS WHILE ACCELERATING AND TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE.*AK Look up ODI 10025213 at NHTSA ↗	428.6% ODI 10030520 · 1,000 mi TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE BIKE WILL NOT STAY IN 4TH GEAR UNDER LOAD. IT POPS OUT LEAVING THE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 3 & 4TH. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT EVER DOES IT WHILE I'M PASSING VEHICLES. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE THE BIKE WAS FIRST PURCHASED. *PH Look up ODI 10030520 at NHTSA ↗	950.0% ODI 10023351 PURCHASED 2000 SUZUKI INTRUDER VL1500 IN MAY 2002 WITH 7000 MILES ON BIKE. PROBLEM BEGAN TO SHOW UP ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. AFTER SHIFTING INTO 4TH GEAR, TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY POP OUT OF GEAR, USUALLY UNDER ACCELERATION BUT SOMETIMES AT CRUISE, CAUSING A "FALSE NEUTRAL" SITUATION. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CREATED AN EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. *NLM Look up ODI 10023351 at NHTSA ↗	642.9% ODI 10050969 · 4,000 mi TRANSMISSION COMES OUT OF 4TH GEAR WHEN UNDER LOAD, EITHER PASSING ANOTHER CAR OR GOING OVER A HILL. PROBLEM COMPOUNDED WITH A PASSENGER. POSES HAZARD WHEN PASSING CARS TO SUDDENLY FIND YOURSELF IN NEUTRAL.*AK Look up ODI 10050969 at NHTSA ↗	214.3% ODI 10062778 · 1,000 mi TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT LIFTING UP ON THE SHIFTER TO RATCHET IT INTO POSITION. IT WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR UNDER WARR.BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AT ALL.*AK Look up ODI 10062778 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 500792 GAS TANK RUSTED, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK. *SD Look up ODI 500792 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 707420 NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK Look up ODI 707420 at NHTSA ↗	266.7% ODI 10008778 · 4,100 mi FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A HOLE FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AT THE LEFT CORNER BY THE SEAT. I CALLED TWO MOTORCYCLE REPAIR SHOPS, AND BOTH PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH KNEW WHERE THE HOLE WAS, AND WHAT MODEL I HAVE JUST BY TELLING THEM THERE WAS A HOLE. THEY EACH TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN IT MANY TIMES ON MY MODEL AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. ONE OF THE MECHANICS SAID I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE RIDING AT THE TIME BECAUSE THE GAS WOULD HAVE IGNITED WHEN IT HIT THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS TANK PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM … Look up ODI 10008778 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 10115482 · 25,860 mi FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. AK GAS TANL ROTTED ON THE BOTTOM OF TANK. MOTORCYCLE WAS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND GARAGE KEPT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. SUZUKI CLAIMED THERE WAS APROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, BUT ALSO SAID SUZUKI WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. AK Look up ODI 10115482 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	211.1% ODI 10098806 · 15,700 mi MY SUZUKI 1500 INTRUDER MOTORCYCLE'S EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILED. I NOTICED SMELL OF GASOLINE ABOUT THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND A BAD WELD IN THE SEAM ON THE GAS TANK AT THE FRONT RIGHT MOUNTING TAB. FOR SOME REASON THE TANK SEEMS TO BE UNDER STRESS AT THAT POINT, THAT COMBINED WITH A DEFECTIVE SEAM WELD AT THAT LOCATION CAUSED A LEAK A THAT POINT. I HAVE TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE TANK BY REMOVING THE BOLT FROM THAT AREA RELIEVING THE STRESS AND COVERED THE LEAKING AREA WITH EPOXY TO STOP THE GAS LEAK. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER FRIENDS THAT HA… Look up ODI 10098806 at NHTSA ↗	428.6% ODI 10053233 · 34,000 mi STRESS FRACTURE IN FUEL TANK NEAR RIGHT FRONT FLANGE ON TOP OF TANK. *AK Look up ODI 10053233 at NHTSA ↗	428.6% ODI 10055047 · 15,000 mi 2002 SUZUKI INTRUDER VL1500 - THE FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A STRESS FRACTURE OR CRACK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE TANK. SPECIFICALLY IT IS LOCATED ON THE RIGHT HAND MOUNTING FLANGE STARTING IN THE VICINITY OF THE RIGHT FRONT MOUNTING BOLT. THE CRACK EXTENDS FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 2" AND "LOOKS" LIKE A FINE SCRATCH IN THE BLACK PAINT. ON FURTHER INSPECTION THE CRACK WILL OPEN OR FLEX AND FUEL LEAKS THROUGH THE CRACK BY PRESSING DOWNWARD ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL ALSO LEAKS THROUGH THE CRACK WHEN THE TANK IS HALF FULL OR MORE WITH FUEL. T… Look up ODI 10055047 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 844805 FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE WEARING PREMATURELY, BRAKES FEEL SPONGY. SEVERAL DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS HAVE RENDERED NO SOLUTION. *AK Look up ODI 844805 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	215.4% ODI 843353 WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES, REAR BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. WHEN CONSUMER IS COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE MOTORCYCLE BACKFIRES AND STALLS OUT. CONSUMER HAS TO EITHER ROLL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD/ PUT THE MOTORCYCLE INTO NEUTRAL, OR PULL THE CLUTCH IN AND RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK Look up ODI 843353 at NHTSA ↗	214.3% ODI 709423 WHILE INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE, I NOTED THAT THE BRAKE SHOES WERE WORN NEARLY TO THE BACKING PLATE. IN MY OPINION THIS CONSTITUTES ABNORMAL WEAR. ADDITIONALLY, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED 1025 MILES BEFORE THE NEXT NORMALLLY SCHEDULED INSPECTION (4000 MILES). IF THIS CONDITION HAD REMAINED UNDISCOVERED UNTIL THE NEXT SCHEDULED INSPECTION IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. NUMEROUS OTHER INTRUDER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. (SEE WWW.INTRUDERALERT.COM AND HTTP://WWW.U… Look up ODI 709423 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 972154 MOTORCYCLE LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL VALVE, FUEL VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT HAS NOT CORRECTED PROBLEMS. TT Look up ODI 972154 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.6% ODI 10097176 A RECALL NOTICE(NC99-04) REGARDING THE CLUTCH BACK TORQUE WAS RECEIVED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MOTORCYCLE'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB Look up ODI 10097176 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 749917 BACKFIRING, PAIR VALVE FAILURE. *AK Look up ODI 749917 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 10015388 THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB Look up ODI 10015388 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 804474 HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE, MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND LEAKAGE OCCURRED BEACAUSE OIL PORT NOT DRILLED DURING ASSEMBLY. *AK Look up ODI 804474 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	228.6% ODI 849276 WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED MOTORCYCLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER CANNOT IDENITIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 849276 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.6% ODI 10023439 · 18,500 mi WHILE RIDING MY 2000 SUZUKI VL 1500 LC MOTORCYCLE, IT HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR INTO A "FALSE" NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN BOTH 4TH AND 5TH GEAR. USUALLY UNDER A LOAD, LIKE PULLING UP A HILL OR WITH A PASSENGER OR BOTH. *NLM Look up ODI 10023439 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	214.3% ODI 10044722 · 10,000 mi THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MALFUNCTIONED WHEN THE BIKE BECAME HOT. THE OWNER TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID "WHAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WAS NORMAL". HOWEVER, WHEN THE BIKE HEATED UP, THE GEARS BECAME STUCK AND THE CLUTCH DID NOT DISENGAGE. *JB Look up ODI 10044722 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	215.4% ODI 838190 BRAKES ARE TOO SMALL FOR MOTORCYCLE. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, THEY WON'T STOP MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER HAD TO PUSH BRAKES IN ORDER FOR MOTORCYCLE TO COME TO A STOP. *AK Look up ODI 838190 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 10023434 · 200 mi 1999 SUZUKI VL 1500LC MOTORCYCLE HAS TERRIBLE FRONT BRAKES. THEY FADE REAL BAD AFTER ONE MODERATE STOP FROM NORMAL FREEWAY SPEEDS. MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING TO DO AFTER MARKET MODIFICATIONS TO BRING FUNCTIONALITY TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL. SUZUKI MUST HAVE KNOWN THIS AS THEY THOROUGHLY REDESIGNED THE SYSTEM FROM YEAR MODEL 2002 TO PRESENT. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO HAVING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO BRAKE FADE DURING A HARD PANIC STOP. *NLM Look up ODI 10023434 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Rear	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 848636 LEFT HAND SIDE FAILED AT THE PIVOT POINT CAUSING THE MIRROR TO FALL . THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.MJS Look up ODI 848636 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 986369 THE REAR WHEEL BUSHING IS BROKEN CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO WOBBLE WHEN DRIVING. *AK Look up ODI 986369 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 849367 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED TO OPERATE. FRONT BRAKE SLOWED IT DOWN UNTIL THE MOTORCYCLE CAME TO A STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK Look up ODI 849367 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Power Train:Manual Transmission	1,000–6,050 mi	4,000 mi	12	ODI 10025213 · 8,000 mi THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF 4TH GEAR UNDER STRONG ACCELERATION.T SEEMS THAT THERE IS A FALSE NEUTRAL BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR.THIS IS EXTREMLY DANGEROUS WHILE ACCELERATING AND TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE.AK Look up ODI 10025213 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10030520 · 1,000 mi TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE BIKE WILL NOT STAY IN 4TH GEAR UNDER LOAD. IT POPS OUT LEAVING THE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 3 & 4TH. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT EVER DOES IT WHILE I'M PASSING VEHICLES. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE THE BIKE WAS FIRST PURCHASED. PH Look up ODI 10030520 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10043305 · 15,000 mi 1999 SUZUKI VL-1500LC. HAS HAD SHIFTING ISSUES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED WITH FALSE NEUTRAL BETWEEN 4TH ADN 5TH GEARS. JULY 23, 2003 THE MAIN TRANSMISSION DRIVE SHAFT FAILED/BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-90 LEAVING SEATTLE. *LA Look up ODI 10043305 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	9,500–20,300 mi	15,000 mi	11	ODI 10008778 · 4,100 mi FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A HOLE FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AT THE LEFT CORNER BY THE SEAT. I CALLED TWO MOTORCYCLE REPAIR SHOPS, AND BOTH PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH KNEW WHERE THE HOLE WAS, AND WHAT MODEL I HAVE JUST BY TELLING THEM THERE WAS A HOLE. THEY EACH TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN IT MANY TIMES ON MY MODEL AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. ONE OF THE MECHANICS SAID I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE RIDING AT THE TIME BECAUSE THE GAS WOULD HAVE IGNITED WHEN IT HIT THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS TANK PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM … Look up ODI 10008778 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10115482 · 25,860 mi FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. AK GAS TANL ROTTED ON THE BOTTOM OF TANK. MOTORCYCLE WAS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND GARAGE KEPT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. SUZUKI CLAIMED THERE WAS APROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, BUT ALSO SAID SUZUKI WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. AK Look up ODI 10115482 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10098806 · 15,700 mi MY SUZUKI 1500 INTRUDER MOTORCYCLE'S EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILED. I NOTICED SMELL OF GASOLINE ABOUT THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND A BAD WELD IN THE SEAM ON THE GAS TANK AT THE FRONT RIGHT MOUNTING TAB. FOR SOME REASON THE TANK SEEMS TO BE UNDER STRESS AT THAT POINT, THAT COMBINED WITH A DEFECTIVE SEAM WELD AT THAT LOCATION CAUSED A LEAK A THAT POINT. I HAVE TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE TANK BY REMOVING THE BOLT FROM THAT AREA RELIEVING THE STRESS AND COVERED THE LEAKING AREA WITH EPOXY TO STOP THE GAS LEAK. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER FRIENDS THAT HA… Look up ODI 10098806 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	Too few reports for a range	10,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10023439 · 18,500 mi WHILE RIDING MY 2000 SUZUKI VL 1500 LC MOTORCYCLE, IT HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR INTO A "FALSE" NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN BOTH 4TH AND 5TH GEAR. USUALLY UNDER A LOAD, LIKE PULLING UP A HILL OR WITH A PASSENGER OR BOTH. NLM Look up ODI 10023439 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10044722 · 10,000 mi THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MALFUNCTIONED WHEN THE BIKE BECAME HOT. THE OWNER TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID "WHAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WAS NORMAL". HOWEVER, WHEN THE BIKE HEATED UP, THE GEARS BECAME STUCK AND THE CLUTCH DID NOT DISENGAGE. JB Look up ODI 10044722 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10044723 · 10,000 mi THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MALFUNCTIONED WHEN THE BIKE BECAME HOT. THE OWNER TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID "WHAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WAS NORMAL". HOWEVER, WHEN THE BIKE HEATED UP, THE GEARS BECAME STUCK AND THE CLUTCH DID NOT DISENGAGE. *JB Look up ODI 10044723 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	200 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10023434 · 200 mi 1999 SUZUKI VL 1500LC MOTORCYCLE HAS TERRIBLE FRONT BRAKES. THEY FADE REAL BAD AFTER ONE MODERATE STOP FROM NORMAL FREEWAY SPEEDS. MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING TO DO AFTER MARKET MODIFICATIONS TO BRING FUNCTIONALITY TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL. SUZUKI MUST HAVE KNOWN THIS AS THEY THOROUGHLY REDESIGNED THE SYSTEM FROM YEAR MODEL 2002 TO PRESENT. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO HAVING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO BRAKE FADE DURING A HARD PANIC STOP. *NLM Look up ODI 10023434 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2001: 8 complaints · 2002: 11 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2001	5	8	8
2002	2	6	11

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2001	12	2	0
2002	11	3	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train:Manual Transmission	Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Power Train:Clutch Assembly	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Suspension:Rear
Power Train:Manual Transmission	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Suspension:Rear	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

6 mentions · 6.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 19,150 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 826889

AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE IS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, WITH THE FUEL SWITCH IN ANY POSITION, THE FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. *AK

Look up ODI 826889 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10115482 · 25,860 mi

FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *AK GAS TANL ROTTED ON THE BOTTOM OF TANK. MOTORCYCLE WAS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND GARAGE KEPT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. SUZUKI CLAIMED THERE WAS APROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, BUT ALSO SAID SUZUKI WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *AK

Look up ODI 10115482 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10098806 · 15,700 mi

MY SUZUKI 1500 INTRUDER MOTORCYCLE'S EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILED. I NOTICED SMELL OF GASOLINE ABOUT THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND A BAD WELD IN THE SEAM ON THE GAS TANK AT THE FRONT RIGHT MOUNTING TAB. FOR SOME REASON THE TANK SEEMS TO BE UNDER STRESS AT THAT POINT, THAT COMBINED WITH A DEFECTIVE SEAM WELD AT THAT LOCATION CAUSED A LEAK A THAT POINT. I HAVE TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE TANK BY REMOVING THE BOLT FROM THAT AREA RELIEVING THE STRESS AND COVERED THE LEAKING AREA WITH EPOXY TO STOP THE GAS LEAK. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER FRIENDS THAT HA…

Look up ODI 10098806 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 4.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 843353

Look up ODI 843353 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10061224

WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED WHEN THE HANDLE BARS WERE TURNED SHARPLY TOP LEFT. ONCE THAT HAPPENED, THE MOTORCYCLE LOST POWER/STALLED OR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. *AK

Look up ODI 10061224 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8009175

WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER HAVING BEEN AT A COMPLETE STOP MOTORCYCLE HESITATES TO GO OR STALLS OUT COMPLETELY, MAKING IT DIFFCUILT FOR DRIVER TO CONTROL VEHICLE.*AK

Look up ODI 8009175 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 1.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 5,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10095023 · 5,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Look up ODI 10095023 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule