2008 Suzuki VLR1800

Defect. Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 AN400, AN400A, DL1000, GSX1300R, 2008-2009 GSF1250S and GSF1250SA, 2008 GSX1300BK and GSX1300BKA, 2008-2010 GSX650F, GSX-R600, GSX-R750, VLR1800, VLR1800T, and 2009-2010 SFV650 and VZ1500 motorcycles. Due to a problem with the circuit board for the regulator/rectifier power module, the motorcycle may not sufficiently charge the battery and the motorcycle may stall.

Risk. If the engine stalls while riding, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy. Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the regulator/rectifier, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 4, 2016. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-444-5077. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A56 to 2A64.

Defect. SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2007 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2009, EQUIPPED WITH REGULATOR/RECTIFIER ASSEMBLIES, SUZUKI PART NUMBERS 32800-41F11, 32800-15H10, 32800-05H11, 32800-41G10, 32800-15H00, 32800-18H00, 32800-05G10, 32800-10G10, 32800-05H20, OR 32800-06G01. SOME REGULATOR/RECTIFIER ASSEMBLIES WERE PRODUCED WITH INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE POWER MODULE (CIRCUIT BOARD) AND THE RECTIFIER CASE THAT CONTAINS A HEAT SINK TO DISSIPATE HEAT. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ADHESION, HEAT GENERATED ON THE POWER MODULE CIRCUIT BOARD CAN CAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO DEFORM, AND LIFT OF THE CASE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAUSES EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND UNCONTROLLED ELECTRIC CURRENT OUTPUT, WHICH CAN RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT CHARGING CURRENT BEING PROVIDED TO THE MOTORCYCLE BATTERY. THIS CAN CAUSE DISCHARGE OF THE BATTERY AND CAN LEAD TO ENGINE STALLING AND/OR A NO-START CONDITION. ENGINE STALLING WHILE RIDING CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND SUZUKI DISTRIBUTORS WILL REPLACE THE REGULATOR/RECTIFIER WITH AN IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-714-572-1490.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI VLR1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V108000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PART THAT WAS BEING USED AS THE REPLACEMENT UNDER THE RECALL EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER AS THE PART THAT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND BEING RECALLED (PART NUMBER: 32800-41G10). THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

[XXX] 6/04/2010 DEAR: NHTSA MY BROTHER, NEPHEW AND MYSELF ALL BOUGHT NEW 2008 SUZUKI BOULEVARD C109RT MOTORCYCLES RECENTLY. WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH GAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE GAS CAP. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED TO ME I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I GOT SOME LIQUID IN MY FACE AND EYES. THIS TEMPORALLY BLINDED ME FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND. WENT I WAS LOOKING AROUND TO SEE WHAT IT WAS I SAW GAS COMING FROM UNDER THE GAS CAP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE A WRECK. WE CONTACTED THE SUZUKI DEALER WE GOT THE MOTORCYCLES FROM AND THEY CALLED SUZUKI THEN CALLED ME BACK. THEY SAID SUZUKI SAID JUST DON'T PUT SO MUCH GAS IN THE TANK. THAT IS NOT A VERY GOOD ANSWER FOR SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD. WILL THE GAS LEAK OUT FROM UNDER THE GAS CAP IF THE BIKE IS DROPPED? IF SO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU ARE PINNED UNDER THE BIKE OR YOU ARE UNCONSCIOUS? GAS COULD SPILL ALL OVER YOU AND CATCH ON FIRE AND BURN YOU TO DEATH OR GIVE YOU SERIOUS BURNS ON YOUR BODY. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS REPORTED THIS ISSUE OR NOT BUT CAN YOU CHECK INTO IT TO SEE IF THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE OR TELL ME WHO TO CONTACT IF NOT NHTSA. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR