2003 Suzuki SV1000S: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Motorcycle would not charge battery and completely died because of it one day. Opened up magneto cover and found the rotor magnets had disintegrated. Ruined the rotor and magneto and only had 17,000 miles on it. Cleaning up bits of magnet all around the crank and inside the engine.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2019
“Total loss of electrical power due to a faulty connection between the ignition switch to the main ignition relay. This results in loss of lights, instruments, and ignition power. The engine stalls and can easily cause an accident and injuries. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2010
“Connector from the ignition switch to wiring harness overheated and the connector no longer help the wires together for the ignition. Turn the key - no power at all to the bike. I have read about dozens of riders this has happened to, some have had accidents as a result. Luckily I wasn't in motion when the power gave out. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“2003 suzuki sv1000, will not start, no electric at all. Must take off seat & move wires, then will start, it does this every time I turn it off. Have read many posts about the "green connector" many others having the same problem. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2008
“2003 sv1000s lost all electrical power due to a faulty green ignition connector located in front of the airbox. The green connector melted at the positive wire causing loss of electrical power. Hard wired it with solder and shrink tubing since I don't plan on removing the ignition any time soon. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2008
“For the second time, the green connector connecting the ignition to the wiring harness has faulted, preventing the motorcycle from running. Let me repeat, the second time. I had the ignition replaced, and two months later it happened again. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 suzuki sv1000s. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle lost power and began to decelerate. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and he discovered that the green power connector fused together, causing an electrical short. The green power connector was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer for diagnosis. The current mileage was 9,500 and failure mileage was 9,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2008
“Http://www.sv-portal.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27074 no electrical power?? Green connector issue! My bike lost power and cannot be started. Fortunately I was not riding at the time the power cut out. I had to find another ride home as the bike was immobile. Apparently this does occur regularly and both NHTSA and suzuki are aware of the problem and doing nothing about it. Read the forum above for many instances of this problem. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2007
“My bike was having intermittent electrical starting problems for approx. 2 months. The dealer found a green connector in the wiring harness that had shorted out. I have since found out that this is very common on suzuki motorcycles. My bike is a 2003 sv1000s with 16k miles. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 mph, the rear wheel wobbled. The tire pressure was checked, which was normal. The vehicle speed was lowered to 10 mph, and the same thing occurred 2 tenths of a mile later. The rear wheel and axle were then taken to a service dealer, who determined that the right rear bearing had been destroyed due to lack of lubrication. The remaining bearings were also inspected, and were found to have the same lack of lubrication. The manufacturer was also notified. The contact expressed concern that there was nothing in the owners manual about how or when to lubricate the bearings.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN CALIFORNIA-SPECIFICATION MODEL MOTORCYCLES, REPEATED STRESS FROM VIBRATION CAN CAUSE A CRACK TO FORM IN THE AREA WHERE THE LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR BRACKET IS WELDED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS CAN ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE TO OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 3, 2006. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT AMERICAN SUZUKI AT 714-572-1490.
MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE BRAKE LEVER. THE LEVER CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE MARKING "JY 378" AT THE BASE OF THE LEVER NEAR THE PIVOT BUSHING.
Remedy: MOTION PRO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTION PRO AT 1-877-438-7831.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Check your exact SV1000S by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.