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2003 Suzuki SV1000S problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S is electrical system, typically around 12,000 miles. It has 6.8 times the complaints of a typical SV1000S model year.

Typical year6.8x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
27
Recalls
1
Worst area
Electrical

The worst 2003 Suzuki SV1000S problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Electrical
    19
  • Fuel system
    6
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    19
  • Fuel system
    6
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 1

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported January 18, 2006 · 4,841 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
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.

Recall number 06V013000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S

What 2003 Suzuki SV1000S owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 4, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 17,000 miles · OR

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.

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Acceleration, Transmission · 47,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

In mid ride I was approaching a low speed corner at the end of a high speed straight away. I tried to pull my clutch handle in to begin to brake and downshift and the clutch handle had no resistance at all. Complete failure of the hydraulic clutch system. Unable to take the drive pressure off the rear tire the bike lost traction in the rear and lowsided the bike into a 6 foot ditch at around 60 to 70 MPH. I received minor injuries thanks to my gear but injuries none the less. I have spoken to many motorcycle mechanics and all of them have stated that hydro clutches are death traps. And almost all of them said to get a cable clutch conversion kit asap. No I know why. This is a result of suzuki motors outsourcing their work to cheap labor and not checking to make sure their parts are within the tolerances that were set for that part. I strongly believe that suzuki needs to suspend production on all sv1000 bikes and issue a recall to fix all the parts that have been poorly made with unsafe results. The flywheel rotors lose the magnets on almost every 2003 sv1000 and its beginning to effect up to the 05 models. I am on 2 different forums for this bike that are international forums the flywheel magnets are the second most common failure from suzuki just behind the piss poor job on the clutch basket hub bearing. Now the fuel tanks are known to randomly burst into flames when the fuel line leaks under the tank. This bike should be removed from market until suzuki can get it right. These bikes are death traps waiting to vibrate loose on you in mid ride. Personally I would like it if suzuki gave me a new bike like a gsx or gsxr since my bike is totaled because their stock equipment failed to work as it was designed to do. And my insurance company is not going to cover the damage to my bike.

Filed Oct 3, 2011 · Electrical · 10,800 miles · AL

My suzuki sv1000s has an electrical problem. I first noticed this problem when I attempted to start the motorcycle in my garage in may of 2011. I turned the switch and nothing came on. I checked the battery and there was no problem with it. Mysteriously, the electrical system started working several days later. This has happened about 3 times. On 09/26/2011, I was riding with my 12-year-old daughter on a busy 2-lane road. It was a beautiful evening (5 pm, sunny, about 85 degrees). We were approaching a stop signal (speed approximately 20 MPH). The clutch was engaged and I was lightly applying front and rear brakes. The motorcycle lost all electrical power while we were still moving. After a few moments, the power was restored as mysteriously as it left. Please check into this as there has been numerous complaints about this type of incident posted online. This could have caused a serious accident resulting in injury or the loss of life.

Filed Jun 8, 2011 · Fuel system · 16,071 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 suzuki sv1000s motorcycle. The contact stated that fuel was leaking onto the motor and overflowing into the charcoal canister. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where it was diagnosed that there was a crack on the liquid separator bracket inside the fuel tank and underneath, the seams were separated. As a result, the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The defective fuel tank was sent to the dealer to be inspected who confirmed diagnosis. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the motorcycle had been previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v013000 ( fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 16,071 and the current mileage was 16,245.

Filed May 14, 2010 · Electrical · 16,827 miles · TN

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.

Filed Nov 23, 2009 · Electrical · 12,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Jan 4, 2009 · Electrical · 6,389 miles · TN

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.

Filed Aug 28, 2008 · Electrical · 5,800 miles · MA

Electrical harness on my bike (sv1000s 2003) went bad and no power is going to anything.

Filed Aug 27, 2008 · Fuel system · 13,000 miles · AZ

My suzuki sv 1000s 2003 # has a fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source which can result in fire. I found out on the suzuki website that there is a recall for this kind of problem. I contacted suzuki and they said the recall is only for california models and my bike is not one of those. I took the motorcycle to an authorized dealership and they said the cause of the leak is a crack in the area where the liquid/ vapor separator bracket is welded inside the tank and the solution for the problem would be a tank fuel replacement, just like it says on recall id# 32059 recall date jan/18/06. My question is, if the problem on my bike is exactly the same why my motorcycle is not included in the same recall? Thanks ! Wes moraes.

Filed Apr 19, 2008 · Electrical · 8,400 miles · PA

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.

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Questions about the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S

Is the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S reliable?

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S, 6.8 times a typical SV1000S model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S?

Electrical system, with 19 complaints, typically around 12,000 miles. Next is fuel system (6).

How many recalls does the 2003 Suzuki SV1000S have?

1 recall, covering fuel system, gasoline.

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