Suzuki class action alleges company failed to disclose, fix motorcycle defects

Suzuki motorcycle defects overview: 

• Who: Suzuki is facing a class action lawsuit related to defects in its motorcycles. 
• Why: Suzuki sport motorcycles have a defect in the front brake master cylinder that can cause sudden and immediate brake failure and a safety risk for riders, the lawsuit claims.
• Where: The Suzuki motorcycle defects class action lawsuit was filed in federal court in California.

Suzuki Motor of America is facing a class action lawsuit claiming that many of its sports motorcycles have a defect in the front brake master cylinder (FMBC) that can cause sudden and immediate brake failure and a safety risk for riders.

The Suzuki motorcycle defect impacts Suzuki’s Hayabusa, GSX-R1000R, GSX-R1000RZ, GSX-R1000, GSX-R750, GSX-R750Z, GSX-R600, GSX-R600Z and GSX250R ABS.

Suzuki has known about the brake issues since at least 2004 and acknowledged the extreme dangers of the failures, yet the company has continued to use the faulty components, the Suzuki motorcycle defects lawsuit claims.

“The defective FBMCs in sport motorcycles are prone to random and sudden failures during normal use,” the Suzuki class action says. “As a result, the defective FBMCs present an extreme and unreasonable safety hazard to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians due to potential failure, which, in turn, can lead to accidents.”

Galvanic corrosion happens between zinc piston and steel spring during normal use, lawsuit says

The defect occurs due to corrosion of the brake piston through normal use. The defect is endemic and significant as it leads to brake failure, the Suzuki motorcycle defect lawsuit says.

The galvanic corrosion occurs between the zinc piston and the steel spring, a result of build-up of hydrogen gas, “pitting and spreading of the ID/OD surfaces of the zinc piston, as well as the formation of organic acid deposits, solid metallics, and oxide debris due to corrosion” according to the Suzuki class action.

In 2015, an Oklahoma federal judge dismissed a separate class action lawsuit against Suzuki Motor of America claiming the company concealed defects in the electrical lighting systems of its compact cars, causing them to malfunction.

Have you been impacted by the Suzuki motorcycle defects? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Ryan J. Clarkson, Glenn A. Danas and Zarrina Ozari of Clarkson Law Firm PC.

The Suzuki motorcycle defects class action lawsuit is Jackson, et al. v. Suzuki Motor of America Inc., et al., Case No. 8:23-cv-02189, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District-Southern Division of California.

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