GS500 2004 - 2007 Recall Notice

[Raydr]

Got this in the mail a couple of days ago. CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL SCANNED DOCUMENT

SUZUKI
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION November 16, 2007
SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN #2099
ALL 2004 - 2007 GS500FK4-K7 MODELS
REAR FENDER REFLECTOR REPLACEMENT
Dear Suzuki Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act.
-
What is the reason for this notice?
Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided that all 2004-2007 GS500F motorcycles fail to conform
to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated
equipment. Suzuki Motor Corporation is conducting a voluntary Safety Recall Campaign.
According to our records, you are the owner of one of these motorcycles.

What is the problem?
Suzuki Motor Corporation has determined that reflectors used during the assembly of all 2004
- 2007 GS500FK4-K7 model motorcycles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The reflectors performance at some measurement angles is less than required by
the standard. It is possible that this could contribute to a following motorist's not noticing the
motorcycle in darkness, which may contribute to a rear-end crash.
SUZUKI RECOMMENDS THAT YOU DO NOT RIDE YOUR AFFECTED
2004 - 2007 GS500FK4-K7 MOTORCYCLE AFTER DARK UNTIL THE REPAIR HAS
BEEN COMPLETED

To minimize the risk of injury or death, we recommend that you do not ride, or allow
anyone else to ride, your motorcycle after dark until your motorcycle has been
repaired by your Suzuki dealer.

Suzuki is recalling affected units for the installation of an improved rear fender reflector. Repair
time is approximately 10 minutes and will be done at no cost to you for parts or labor.
How do I receive the fastest possible service?

Suzuki understands that your riding time is precious. Our suggestion is to work closely with
your authorized Suzuki dealer to get your motorcycle's recall service scheduled and performed
as quickly as possible. Schedule an appointment for the recall service to be performed. Parts
are currently available for dealer ordering. It may be necessary to leave your motorcycle with
the dealer overnight, so check with your dealer.

When you pick up your repaired motorcycle, please allow a few extra minutes for your dealer
to prepare and complete the necessary warranty paperwork with you. If you have special
circumstances, discuss them with your Suzuki dealer. Suzuki understands that some customers
may have difficult circumstances to overcome in bringing their motorcycle to the dealership
for repair. We have asked your Suzuki dealer to work closely and flexibly with you to arrange
alternative, but reasonable solutions for your special requests. Please remember, however, that
each dealership has its own limitations in providing special assistance due to staff size, available
time, and dealership location. Your dealer can also consult with Suzuki on other alternatives.

Questions & Answers
Your Suzuki dealer has been provided specific and complete instructions regarding this recall
service. Please call your dealer if you have any questions. Your local Suzuki dealer can provide
the fastest responses to your questions or concerns about the recall service. Your dealer can
also contact Suzuki on your behalf if you have a unique question or concern.
If you have difficulty having the recall service performed on your motorcycle you may contact
the American Suzuki Customer Service Department for assistance at 714-572-1490. You will
need to have your Vehicle Identification Number ready when calling.
If you believe that (1) Suzuki or your Suzuki dealer has failed to or is unable to perform the
recall service without charge, or (2) Suzuki has failed to or is unable to perform the recall
procedure to your vehicle within 60 days after you first brought your vehicle to your Suzuki
dealer after November 16, 2007 you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590
or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go
to http://www.safercar.gov.

Locating an alternate dealer
Suzuki dealers can be located on the internet at www.suzukicycles.com or by calling
1-800-828-7433.

Customer Reimbursement
If your motorcycle is included in the recall and you have paid for the repair or replacement of
the rear fender reflector, you may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement. Please note the
following for which Suzuki may exclude reimbursement:
• Only repairs that are the subject of the safety recall are reimbursable. Additional expenses
such as towing. rental, accommodations, damage repairs, etc. will not be reimbursed.
• Reimbursement may be limited to suggested list price on parts and the Suzuki published
flat rate time allowance.
• An owner will not be eligible for reimbursement if the expenses for repairs are incurred
more than 10 days after the date of the last owner notification letter sent by Suzuki.
• Reimbursement claims may also be excluded when you do not submit adequate
documentation. Your authorized Suzuki dealer will request an original or copy of your
receipt for the recall repair or replacement, and your owner notification letter.
To obtain information or request reimbursement, contact your Suzuki dealer or the American
Suzuki Motor Corporation Motorcycle Customer Service Department, PO Box 1100, Brea, CA
92822-1100, or call (714) 572-1490. You will need to have your Vehicle Identification Number
ready when calling.
We thank you for your prompt attention to completing this recall service on your Suzuki
motorcycle. We apologize for any inconvenience this campaign causes you. Your safety,
satisfaction, and riding enjoyment are priorities for Suzuki.
Sincerely,
American Suzuki Motor Corporation

[CndnMax]

  I must destroy the gs before someone ride with insufficient rear reflectors!!




...BTW: REPOST 

[kml.krk]

I have 04 bought used through stealer and did not receive any letter 
PO took the reflectors off anyway  so I doubt if they would replace something that does not exist 

[mad8v]

hmm, what if i have done the fenderectomy and don't have a reflector?

[desilva]

I see it specifically references the 'F' so presumably this doesn't apply to the naked bike? I've not heard anything from Suzuki UK but then our regs are different. We're also not loaded down with quite so much product liability crap (although it's going that way).

"It is possible that this could contribute to a following motorist's not noticing the motorcycle in darkness, which may contribute to a rear-end crash."

Possible. Likely? I'd like to think that a following motorist would see my rear light before his headlights are bouncing off the reflector!  Or is that just wishful thinking?  I always thought the reflector was mostly there for when the bike is parked.

[Kasumi]

Reflector is compulsary here in the UK too, you have to have one to pass an MOT, however most MOT places have a box load of little stick on ones that they just shove on above your number plate to pass your MOT. That is why we ride bikes folks. The community is so much stronger, you take your car for an MOT they don't care unless they are a personal friend and will fail it so they can charge you for the work.

Anywhos just ignore the stupid notice, its only a dammed reflector and you can buy them and stick them on.

[simon79]

I see it specifically references the 'F' so presumably this doesn't apply to the naked bike? I've not heard anything from Suzuki UK but then our regs are different. We're also not loaded down with quite so much product liability crap (although it's going that way).

I wonder that's because this safety recall was issued by Suzuki of USA, a country where the naked version was last on the market on 2002 (or 2003?). Since then, only F's for the US. And since then also, Suzuki moved the GS 500 production line from Japan to Spain, so, parts' suppliers might have changed, with the new OEM reflectors being less bright than before.

if this recall were to be issued to other countries (UK, Canada, EU,...) where the "E" (though not called "E" anymore) is sold, I suppose both E's and F's would be called in. But I doubt it's likely to happen here, anyway.