Suzuki Gs500 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Suzuki Gs500 options? We analyzed 9 model years (2000–2009) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Suzuki Gs500 has 4 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls across model years 2000–2009. The most reported issue area is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
- Make
- Suzuki
- Model
- Gs500
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2009 (9 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Reliability signal
- Excellent
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
ExcellentThe SUZUKI GS500 has 4 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 4 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 4 federal recall campaigns
- No crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
4 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2009. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 4 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
4 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS DRIVING MY MOTORCYCLE ONCE I WENT OVER 60 MPH IT SHUT OFF ON ME WITH NO WARNING ALL I NOTED THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH THROTTLE I GAVE IT THE BIKE DIDN'T WANT TO GO. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GS500 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS IF IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AT LEAST TEN TIMES WITHIN THE YEAR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,140.
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY WAS DEPLETING. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALERSHIP HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. THE MOTORCYCLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI GS500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V515000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). DUE TO PAST PROBLEMS WITH THE DEALER (THE CYCLE SHOP), THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THEY WILL REFUSE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. HE STATED THAT THE NEXT DEALER IS OVER 100 MILES AWAY. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND SPOKE TO MEGAN O'CONNOR. SHE STATED THAT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO HIS VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Showing 4 of 4 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Suzuki Gs500
These pages show model-year patterns across 9 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Suzuki Gs500, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Suzuki Gs500 has 4 complaints on record across 9 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Suzuki Gs500 has 4 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 0 of the Suzuki Gs500's 4 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Excellent) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Suzuki Gs500 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Suzuki Gs500 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Suzuki Gs500 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Suzuki Gs500 stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Suzuki Gs500 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Suzuki Gs500.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Suzuki Gs500 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Suzuki Gs500 reliable?
Excellent. The Suzuki Gs500 has 4 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Suzuki Gs500 years to avoid?
Check individual year pages for complaint breakdowns.
What are the most common Suzuki Gs500 problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints); VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints).
Does the Suzuki Gs500 have recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Suzuki Gs500. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.