Recall 12V038 covers 1,396 2012 Suzuki DL650, AN650, and AN400 scooters and motorcycles for brake-light-switch failure. Repair is free at any franchised Suzuki dealer.
Suzuki is recalling 1,396 2012 DL650, AN650, and AN400 scooters and motorcycles because lever-mounted brake light actuating switches can fail. On affected AN400 and AN650 scooters, the switch failure can prevent starting; across the recalled models, brake lights can stay dark while braking, increasing crash risk with a trailing vehicle, and the Suzuki dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The brake light actuating switch on the 2012 Suzuki DL650, AN650, and AN400 is mounted at the brake lever. Its job is simple: when you pull the lever, the switch closes an electrical circuit and turns on the brake light. That light tells traffic behind you that the scooter or motorcycle is slowing.
On affected Suzuki scooters and motorcycles, the lever-mounted switch can fail. When the switch fails, pulling the brake lever no longer sends the signal that turns the brake light on. NHTSA campaign 12V038 does not identify a deeper mechanical cause, so the public repair concern is the failed switch itself.
There is no warning sign before failure. The rider can use the brake normally and still have no brake light response from the affected switch.
Who's affected?
Included models span Suzuki scooter and motorcycle lines, all tied to the same brake-light switch.
| 2012 Suzuki DL650 | Switch |
|---|---|
| 2012 Suzuki AN650 | Switch |
| 2012 Suzuki AN400 | Switch |
| Units affected | 1,396 |
A matching 2012 Suzuki model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the brake light switch fails, the brake lights can stay dark while the scooter or motorcycle is braking. That makes it harder for a trailing driver to react and increases the risk of a crash. On AN400 and AN650 models, switch failure also prevents starting. Schedule the repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Suzuki dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Suzuki DL650, AN650, or AN400 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Suzuki dealer to confirm the repair path for your VIN and ask about the free brake-light-switch replacement that restores brake-light operation when braking.
- Call Suzuki customer service at 1-714-996-7040 with questions and reference recall number 12V038 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Suzuki mailed one, or give the dealer your VIN and recall number 12V038.
- Ride with extra space behind you until the repair is complete, since the brake light switch can fail to illuminate the brake lights during braking.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Suzuki technician replaces the brake light actuating switch mounted at the brake lever. That switch turns the brake lamp on when you apply the brake, so the repair focuses on restoring brake light operation. Suzuki's remedy says the replacement is free of charge, with Suzuki distributors handling the work. The recall repair will be free once available for your VIN, and the service desk can confirm whether the switch replacement has already been completed on your 2012 AN400, AN650, or DL650.
Timeline
| February 3, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 13, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V038?
Recall 12V038 covers 1,396 2012 Suzuki DL650, AN650, and AN400 scooters and motorcycles with brake light actuating switches that can fail. On affected AN400 and AN650 models, switch failure prevents starting. On all affected models, the brake lights can fail to illuminate during braking.
What should I do if my 2012 Suzuki DL650, AN650, or AN400 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific scooter or motorcycle is included in recall 12V038. If it is, contact an authorized Suzuki distributor or dealer and ask for the brake light actuating switch replacement. Reference recall number 12V038 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Suzuki's recall remedy says Suzuki distributors will replace the brake light actuating switch free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the brake lights can fail to illuminate when the scooter or motorcycle is braking. A trailing driver then has less notice that you are slowing or stopping, increasing crash risk. On AN400 and AN650 models, the same switch failure also prevents the scooter from starting.
What if I bought my Suzuki used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012 Suzuki DL650, AN650, or AN400 is included, then call an authorized Suzuki distributor or dealer with recall number 12V038.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V038000 |
|---|---|
| Suzuki customer service | 1-714-996-7040 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V038 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V038000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →