Suzuki Class Action Lawsuit Claims GSXR Motorcycles Plagued by Dangerous Brake Defect

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action lawsuit claims that Suzuki GSXR sportbikes sold over the last 20 years suffer from a brake system defect that can pose a serious safety hazard to users.

Get class action lawsuit and settlement news sent to your inbox – sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter.

According to the 25-page lawsuit, Suzuki has long known that the front brake master cylinder of several GSXR models is easily susceptible to corrosion, which can reduce the pressure of the brake fluid and cause the brakes to no longer operate at a safe or acceptable efficiency.

The Suzuki motorcycles at issue in the lawsuit include the following models:

• 2005-2025 GSX-R1000s;
• 2004-2025 GSX-R750s;
• 2004-2025 GSX-R600s; and
• 2022-2025 GSX-1300Rs.

Per the complaint, the corrosion occurs when outside moisture absorbed by the brake fluid reacts with the zinc piston in the front brake master cylinder. The corrosion releases hydrogen gas that becomes trapped in the brake system and causes the piston to pit and spread, resulting in the formation of solid metallics, acid deposits and debris, the suit relays. As a result, the brake fluid pressure is significantly impacted, causing slow brake responses and, eventually, full failure, the lawsuit writes.

Importantly, the brake system failure is not visually observable and only becomes noticeable after significant corrosion has already occurred, the complaint says. Many times, riders only discover the issue while attempting to brake on the road, which poses an immense safety risk to them and other drivers.

Suzuki, per the filing, is fully aware of the potential for corrosion in the front brake master cylinder and applied a protective coating to the zinc pistons in an effort to mitigate the effects, but the complaint claims the coating is insufficient and ineffective.

Furthermore, Suzuki has allegedly been aware of the defect in its GSXR motorcycles since at least 2012, according to internal emails and memorandums cited in the lawsuit. In 2013, Suzuki issued a recall of 2004-2013 GSX-R600s, 2004-2013 GSX-R750s and 2005-2013 GSX-R1000s over the front brake master cylinder issue, the suit relays. As part of the recall, Suzuki repositioned the brake fluid reservoir port, which was intended to allow hydrogen gas generated by the corrosion to escape, the case says. However, the complaint claims the redesign did little to nothing to stop or even slow the corrosion and subsequent hydrogen gas buildup.

Since 2013, the filing writes, Suzuki GSXR drivers have continuously reported experiencing potentially dangerous braking problems, including in posts across various internet platforms and forums like GSXR.com, Gixxer.com, Facebook and Reddit. Despite this, the company still claims that the problem has been fixed and will not recall the at-issue motorcycles to repair or replace the faulty front brake master cylinders, the complaint alleges.

According to the lawsuit, Suzuki has knowingly put consumers, who would reasonably expect the motorcycles to function as intended and not be defective in any way, in an unsafe position and reduced the resale value of the bikes.

The Suzuki GSXR class action lawsuit seeks to represent anyone in California who bought a Suzuki motorcycle from a Suzuki authorized dealership.

Check out ClassAction.org’s lawsuit list for the latest open class actions.