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2005 Suzuki VL800

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
9Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
20033
20049
20057
20062
20073
2008
Compare all VL800 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
5Wheels
2Engine
1Exterior Lighting
1Structure
1
All reported categories
Suspension
1Unknown Or Other
1

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: 9 of 9 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 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

1 reports
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20,000 miles · Mar 15, 2008
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I HAVE 2 2005 SUZUKI C50 BOULEVARDS MOTORCYCLES. I ADDED A LIGHT BAR MADE BY SUZUKI. IT ATTACHES ELECTRICALLY TO A PLUG PROVIDED BY SUZUKI INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT CAN. WHEN USED, IT OVERLOADS THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING HEAT, MELTING PLASTIC INSIDE. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ON THE 2004'S (VL800 VULSIA) WHICH RUN OFF A CARBURETOR. THE…

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I HAVE 2 2005 SUZUKI C50 BOULEVARDS MOTORCYCLES. I ADDED A LIGHT BAR MADE BY SUZUKI. IT ATTACHES ELECTRICALLY TO A PLUG PROVIDED BY SUZUKI INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT CAN. WHEN USED, IT OVERLOADS THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING HEAT, MELTING PLASTIC INSIDE. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ON THE 2004'S (VL800 VULSIA) WHICH RUN OFF A CARBURETOR. THE 2005'S ARE FUEL INJECTED, AND REQUIRE A FUEL PUMP. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION SWITCH IS THE SAME ON BOTH. THOSE THAT HAVE THE LIGHT BAR ON THE 2004'S AND EARLIER DO NOT REPORT THIS PROBLEM. THOSE WITH 2005 AND UP, DO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. REFERENCE VOLUSIARIDERS.COM, AND SEARCH ON IGNITION SWITCH. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THE 2005'S ARE DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL LOAD OF THE FUEL PUMP AND THE LIGHT BAR. THE SWITCH CAN FAIL WHILE IN OPERATION, AND LOSS OF POWER CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I CAN RESEARCH THE FAILURE DATE, BELOW IS A GUESS. THE REPAIR REQUIRES THE INSTALLATION OF A RELAY, USING THE HEADLIGHT WIRE TO TRIGGER THE RELAY. THE POWER IS FED FROM THE BATTERY, NOT THE PLUG IN THE HEADLIGHT CAN FURNISHED BY SUZUKI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221322

Official recalls

1

05V566000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Dec 21, 2005

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AT THE TIME OF PRODUCTION. IF THE WIRING HARNESS IS NOT ROUTED PROPERLY, IT CAN RUB AGAINST THE CLUTCH CABLE/THROTTLE CABLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTINUED RUBBING MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL OR THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT. THIS WILL INCREASE THE CHANCE OF A CRASH RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS AND REPLACE THE LOCK SET INCLUDING THE IGNITION SWITCH ALONG WITH THE CLUTCH CABLE/THROTTLE CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.