Recalls aren't a great look for any brand, but you've got to respect an automaker that alerts the public of a fault to ensure they stay safe on the roads. Now, a class action lawsuit for not doing just that is a much worse look, and a second one following just two years later is, well, awful. That's the position Suzuki Motor of America Inc. is in right now.
Plaintiffs Alex Lopez and Travell Woods filed the Suzuki motorcycle class action suit against Suzuki on Aug. 14 in California federal court, alleging that some of its motorcycles have a defective front brake master cylinder and that the company has violated various state consumer laws.
The alleged issue with the front brake master cylinder is that the piston is made of zinc and chemically reacts with the brake fluid, leading to a build-up of hydrogen gas, pitting, and the formation of debris. This combination of issues allegedly diminishes or results in a complete loss of braking power, impairing the motorcycle's braking ability and posing a safety hazard for riders and passengers.
Woods and Lopez allege that Suzuki has known about the brake defect since 2013, citing claims, dealership records, and customer complaints. Adding to the idea that the manufacturer has known of the problem for more than a decade is the fact that Suzuki issued a recall in 2013 for certain models, admitting that corrosion of the FBMC piston and gas accumulation increased the risk of a crash. But the issue is that Suzuki didn't implement a redesign that fixed the issue, allegedly.
Now, the plaintiffs say they and other members of the class action have suffered economic injury due to the diminished value of their motorcycles and out-of-pocket repair costs. They want to represent anyone in California who bought a Suzuki motorcycle from a Suzuki authorized dealership. The plaintiffs are suing for violations of California consumer laws and breach of implied warranty.
As mentioned, this isn't a good look for Suzuki, but what makes matters worse is the fact that a similar class action was filed against the company in November 2023, and it alleged that many of its sports motorcycles have a defective FMBC that Suzuki has known about since 2004.
