Recall 16V808 affects 1,890 2013, 2015, 2017 Suzuki GW250 motorcycles for brake-light-switch corrosion. Repair is free at any franchised Suzuki dealer.
Suzuki is recalling 1,890 GW250 motorcycles from 2013, 2015, and 2017 because water can enter the main wiring harness at the rear brake light switch connectors and corrode the switch. That corrosion can cause an electrical short and loss of the headlight, tail light, and brake lights, increasing crash risk; Suzuki dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear brake light switch on 2013, 2015, 2017 Suzuki GW250 motorcycles is part of the lighting circuit. When you press the rear brake pedal, the switch tells the brake light to turn on so traffic behind you sees that you are slowing. The connector in the main wiring harness carries that electrical signal and shares the circuit with the headlamp.
On affected GW250 motorcycles, the main wiring harness and rear brake light switch connectors do not seal out water well enough. Water splashed from under the motorcycle can enter the connector area and corrode the brake light switch. That corrosion can short the circuit and melt the protective fuse, which can disable the headlamp and keep the brake light switch from working as designed. Suzuki's remedy uses a brake light switch assembly with a water-protection cover on the connector.
There is no warning sign before failure. The lights can stop working only after water intrusion and corrosion have already damaged the switch or circuit.
Who's affected?
Spans the listed GW250 model years and brake-light switch related components: the switch and wiring.
| 2015 Suzuki GW250 | Switch |
|---|---|
| 2013 Suzuki GW250 | Switch |
| 2013 Suzuki GW250 | wiring |
| 2017 Suzuki GW250 | Switch |
| 2017 Suzuki GW250 | wiring |
| 2015 Suzuki GW250 | wiring |
| Units affected | 1,890 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Corrosion in the brake light switch area can cause an electrical short and knock out the headlight, tail light, and brake lights. Losing those lights makes the motorcycle harder to see and increases crash risk, especially when slowing or riding after dark. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Suzuki dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013, 2015, or 2017 Suzuki GW250 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Suzuki dealer to schedule the free brake-light-switch repair.
- Schedule the improved brake light switch assembly and water protection cover repair that helps stop water from corroding the rear brake light switch connectors.
- Bring the recall notice if Suzuki sent one. If not, reference recall number 16V808 and Suzuki recall 2A66 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and check that the head light, tail light, and brake lights work before each ride.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Suzuki technician installs an improved rear brake light switch assembly and adds a water protection cover when the connector area needs it. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Suzuki has a reimbursement plan for owners who paid for repairs tied to this brake light switch defect before the recall notice. If you already paid for a related repair, bring repair invoices, receipts, and service records to the dealer or contact Suzuki customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 7, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 18, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| November 18, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 23, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 28, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V808?
Recall 16V808 covers 1,890 2013, 2015, and 2017 Suzuki GW250 motorcycles. Water can enter the main wiring harness at the rear brake light switch connectors, corrode the switch, cause an electrical short, and lead to loss of the headlight, tail light, and brake lights.
What should I do if my 2013, 2015, 2017 Suzuki GW250 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 16V808. If it is, contact a franchised Suzuki dealer to schedule the improved brake light switch assembly and water protection cover repair. Reference recall 16V808 or Suzuki recall number 2A66 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Suzuki dealers will install an improved brake light switch assembly and a water protection cover, as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of lighting from an electrical short. If corrosion affects the rear brake light switch connectors, the motorcycle can lose the headlight, tail light, and brake lights, which increases crash risk. The dealer repair is the free fix for this defect.
What if I bought my Suzuki GW250 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the motorcycle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your GW250 is included, then call a franchised Suzuki dealer and reference recall 16V808 or Suzuki recall number 2A66.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V808000 |
|---|---|
| Suzuki customer service | 1-714-572-1490 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V808 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V808000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →