Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

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Steelie

Cadet
Joined
Dec 19, 2001
Messages
23
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

djohns 19, You are right about spotty dealerships and service. Once my nightmare began and my boat was 130 miles away (nearest dealer). I asked three local dealers if they had ever considered being a Suzuki dealer and why there were none around. One told me they used to be, but parts were so hard to get that they dropped Suzuki. The other two said no way would they be a dealer as parts were to difficult to get. I'll never own another Suzuki product. I had considered buying one of the Suzuki(Quadrunner) 4 wheelers, NOT NOW!!
 
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ODDD1

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jan 23, 2001
Messages
1,054
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Shame you didn't ask them before you bought....
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Steelie,<br /><br />One thing you might try is copying this forum on your situation and sending/faxing/e-mailing it to someone at Suzuki that you have actually talked to.<br /><br />I don't think they want this kind of publicity. Their marketing people would probably be more interested than you think.<br /><br />Be careful however, as an OEM rep. myself (sorry not marine) I can tell you that the way someone approaches me has a factor on my next course of action. Sorry, that's just human nature.<br /><br />In general, people don't react well to threats. Approach this as you wanting to work with them for an expeditious conclusion to this quagmire. I know it's tough but don't let your emotions overrun you. You might want to see the postings on the boating forum about the guy that had problems with Crownline Boats.<br /><br />We're all pulling for you.
 
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petryshyn

Commander
Joined
Oct 3, 2001
Messages
2,851
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Ditto djohns19<br /><br />You might consider "CCing" Japan as well....<br />I worked for a huge Japanese firm for years. When Japan got involved, only "customer satisfaction" mattered.<br /><br /><br /> :)
 
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Mike M2

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 24, 2001
Messages
98
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Schem is right, you need to stop talking to the US distributor and go right to the source. Call Japan! I know i would. I gotta say tho, Being in the repair business is tough sometimes. We usually get the blame for taking long on repairs, when in truth we repair stuff right quick. It's waiting on parts that holds us up! I'd say close to 50% of boats worked on get held up by parts. I got a 200 Merc waiting for a connecting rod for months, Merc says 'not till January'! I had a simple water leak last week, it took 2 weeks to get a little gasket i coulda cut out from material myself(and shoulda). I spend a lot of time tracking down parts. Well, as stated, go to the top, the source, the big cheese. Call Japan. :(
 
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rtice

Cadet
Joined
Dec 24, 2001
Messages
15
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br />Steelie, yes, I too own a Suzuki 70 HP 4 Stroke. I have had the very same problem that you are experiencing. My motor(DF 70) went bad on Aug. 17, 2001 and didn't get it repaired until Nov. 11, 2001. The dealer treated me very poorly, they never offered to loan me a boat and motor and no explanation of why it took 3 months to fix. I also asked for a new motor as I only had 68.4 hours when it failed. Suzuki said flat out no. I asked them(Suzuki Rep) if anyone else had experienced this type of problem. They said they hadn't hear of another motor with this problem. My Dealer and the Suzuki Rep weren't always completly truthful with me either. I contacted the Minnesota Attorney General's office and the Better Busines Burearu. They have been some help. I also would not recommend anyone purchasing a new Suzuki motor without first doing much research. All parts needed took one month or more to get as my dealer said they must be shipped in from Japan. I have posted this on another message board. I posted this here so these viewers can read also. Like you, this was a nightmare for me. I was not able to use my boat for 3 months, which is half a boating season here.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

rtice,<br /><br />Which dealer did you buy it from? The dealer I dealt with in Minneapolis (for my DT 140) was pretty good.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

I don't know where you live in MN. You might want to try the dealer in Bloomington. The name escapes me at the moment. There is also a dealer in Maplewood-Maplewood Marine that was pretty good.
 
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rtice

Cadet
Joined
Dec 24, 2001
Messages
15
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

djohns19, The dealer is located in Grand Rapids MN. Small dealership with only on mechanic. That should he been a flag. Dealer really pushed the 6 year warranty. I didn't do the proper research. The DF 70 was rated the number one 4 stroke by Comsumers Report I was told. That and the 6 year warranty was why I bought this motor.
 
Yepblaze

Yepblaze

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
1,686
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Well after seeing this thread dwell on the lack of attention being payed to it's users, I poked around on the web looking for some link somewhere, or email address where I could tickle a few keys and send "them" the message that <br /><br />" What once was a brand being praised in these forums" was now being reduced to "what this thread indicates as a company without customer service"<br /><br />The only email link I found more or less said "Don't pester us with your customer service problems"<br /><br />I'm not about to produce and mail some written correspondance, but would, and do click a few keys and hit enter when I see a need.
 
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Liam

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
86
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Sorry to hear you are not getting satisfaction. Try this website:<br /> http://www.media.suzuki.com/marine/index.html <br /><br />This is their media link. I think you will hear something back if you email them the link for this forum (although they will have to log-in).<br /><br />Media and publicity is the only way you will be satisfied. It is BS to think that a company this size does not warehouse spares in this country!!
 
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MIKE F

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2001
Messages
313
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

I also have been hearing great things about Suzuki engines. Unfortunately, a lot of part availability nightmare stories are popping up also.It sure is hard to believe they don't have spare parts warehoused somewhwere in this country.I haven't heard of any shortages of new engines for sale.Perhaps they should start cannibalizing these new engines to get those already sold back on the water. Just a thought. ;)
 
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sandman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 31, 2001
Messages
102
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

I am seriously considering the purchase of a four-stroke outboard in the range of 90-115 HP. I had been looking at Honda, Yamaha, and was attempting to locate a Suzuki dealer. You guys have helped me in my decision in purchasing a four-stroke!!!! I guess I will be looking much closer at Yamaha.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Steelie,<br /><br />Liam has a great link. Hope this helps. Go for it. <br /><br />We're pulling for you.
 
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Steelie

Cadet
Joined
Dec 19, 2001
Messages
23
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Liam, Thanks for the website!! I'm on it like a mouse on a Cheeto!! :D
 
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Steelie

Cadet
Joined
Dec 19, 2001
Messages
23
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

:mad: Cover me i'm going in. I'll let everyone know as soon as I hear something. Have a happy New Year and don't horse em :D
 
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marcelr

Cadet
Joined
Dec 29, 2001
Messages
6
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Just received my Jan. '02 Boat/US magazine and page 21 has a letter from a 1999 Suzuki DT 2555 owner with a seized lower unit. The dealer told him that parts were back ordered for 4 months. Boat/US called Suzuki customer service and suddenly the parts were delivered and installed in 1 week. It seems that if you push the right buttons you get results from Suzuki. Does your state have a Consumer Affairs Dept? Anyway, the letter to Boat/US is food for thought.
 
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Steelie

Cadet
Joined
Dec 19, 2001
Messages
23
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Ruthless, I have always tried to take the approach of being cooperative and patient when trying to resolve problems. It usually works best. However, in this situation it has not worked at all. After 2 months went by I started pushing every button I have been advised to push. Some, I am still waiting for results on.
 
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harrison20002

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 26, 2001
Messages
222
Re: Suzuki Outboard "Warranty Nightmare"

Tough Luck Steelie, Seems like Suzuki should join forces with Force. I have to agree with 12 Footer & LIAM. Get in touch with the Media and let them do a "60 minutes" on them. Also send a Registered Letter voiceing your displeasure, mention all dates as you did in this post. Send an exact copy to Suzuki of Japan. Keep us posted on your progress, this is something we should keep track of.<br /><br />If needed I'll bet we could bombard Suzuki of Japan with letters in your behalf. Let me know if I can be of and assistance. Happy Holidays. Hal :mad: :mad:
 
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