AI Damage1999 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 50% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 17% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 17% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Transmission frequently slips out of gear without warning. Rear brakes failed. As a result, consumer has to use foot to stop the bike.
1. Transmission occasionally does not shift into 4th gear on upshift. Instead it goes into neutral. 2. Rear brakes were completely worn out and had to be replaced at 2,600 miles.
I am worried about the possibility of this rear subframe failing at the welds, especially when carrying a passenger. There have been reported failures, both in the uk and usa, and suzuki uk seems to be the only entity performing repairs with steel replacements.
While traveling on smooth pavement motorcycle exhibited a condition referred to as "tank slapping". This occurs when steering stabilizer does not work properly.
While moving at low speeds in 4wd the transaxle would make a loud thumping noise and the vehicle would "pop" out of 4wd, but the 4wd indicator light remained lit. This problem initially occured going up hills but now all the time.
Vehicle has had continued engine problems since purchase, repair attempt led to addition engine failures. Mjs (attorney for consumer).
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Suzuki Motorcycle has 10 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, service brakes, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (17%), engine failure or replacement (17%), knocking, grinding or other noise (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Suzuki Suzuki Motorcycle from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.