IllustrationDT: A 2005 SUZUKI VL800. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR WHEEL HAS SPOKES, AND WHERE THE SPOKES TIE INTO THE METAL OF THE WHEELS IT IS CRACKING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONFLICTING RESPONSES, ONE SAYS IT IS DANGEROUS, AND ANOTHER SAYS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS ONLY 823 MILES ON IT.*AK
2005 Suzuki VL1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all VL1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Wheels complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
106V025000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Jan 30, 2006
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, STRESS AROUND THE RIGHT FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTING POINT CAN CAUSE HAIRLINE FATIGUE CRACKS TO FORM. THIS CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND INSTALL IMPROVED CUSHIONS THAT MOUNT AND SUPPORT THE FUEL TANK. ANY FUEL TANKS THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK WILL BE REPLACED. IF A TANK IS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK AND A REPLACEMENT TANK IS NOT AVAILABLE, FUEL TANK SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO THE TANK AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. WHEN THE REPLACEMENT TANK BECOMES AVAILABLE, THE OWNER WILL BE CONTACTED AND A REPLACEMENT TANK WILL BE INSTALLED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-714-572-1490.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE05031 · Fuel Leak
Opened Jun 15, 2005 · Closed Feb 1, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
ODI OPENED THIS PE AFTER RECEIVING FUEL TANK LEAK ALLEGATIONS FROM EIGHT OWNERS.SUBSEQUENTLY, WE MET WITH BOTH COMPLAINT MOTORCYCLE OWNERS AND OWNERS OF MOTORCYCLES WHICH HAD NOT LEAKED FUEL AND INSPECTED THEIR MOTORCYCLES. WE ALSO DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH SUZUKI AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL, REQUESTED AND REVIEWED INFORMATION FROM SUZUKI, AND DISCUSSED THIS MATTER WITH COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES ON 11-3-05. SUZUKI HAS DECIDED TO RECALL THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES TO CORRECT THE FUEL LEAK ISSUE.WITH SUZUKI'S ACTION, THIS MATTER IS CONCLUDED AND THE INVESTIGATION CLOSED.A COPY OF SUZUKI'S RECALL IS ATTACHED.