2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7

Routine

Owners filed 26 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal4
100
Tires4
000
Suspension2
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
100
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Steering1
000
Seat Belts › Rear/Other1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline04V427000
Filed Aug 30, 2004172,093 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES CELSIUS, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. AS A RESULT, FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE MAY INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.

Risk. FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE FUEL DELIVER HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMP WITH AN IMPROVED CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

Visibility › Windshield03V223000
Filed Jun 16, 20035,319 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER (111 MY 2002 ESTEEM, 777 MY 2002 AERIO, 2,368 MY 2003 AERIO) AND SPORT UTILITY (324 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA, 274 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA, 684 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA XL-7, AND 781 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7) VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT APPLIED DURING THE SECOND-STAGE PAINTING PROCESS AND THE PAINT APPLIED DURING FINAL-STAGE PAINTING.

Risk. IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 29, 2020VA

THE VEHICLE 28610-54G10-000 SUZUKI SOLENOID,SHIFT LOCK IS BAD. CAN NOT FIND PART. IF THEIR ARE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE I WOULD LIKE THEM FIXED IF POSSIBLE PLEASE. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND IS ALSO RUNNING LEAN THE COMPUTUER CODE READS LEAN AND BAD SOLENOIDS.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 29, 2018FL

WHEN I PUSH ON GAS IT DOESN'T EXCELLERATE. MAKE A GRINDING NOISE ON LOWER DRIVERS SIDE OF ENGINE. I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING.

Engine
Filed Nov 8, 2016FL

KEEP HAVING A OIL LEAK FROM THE VALUE COVER GASKET. I HAVE HAD IT FIX BEFORE AND NOW IT IS LEAKING AGAIN ON MY MOTOR AND IS SMOKING WHILE DRIVING IT. THE PLACE SAYS THEY ONLY GIVE ME A 1 YR WARRANTY . IT HAS COST ME OVER $500 BEFORE TO FIX AND NOW THE SAME . NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE A RECALL. FIRST DATE OF PROBLEM WAS 1/28/2013 AND NOW THE SAME PROBLEM.

Suspension
Filed Feb 1, 2015160,000 milesTN

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FROM WORK AND I WAS ONLY GOING 40MPH AND MY CAR ALL OF SUDDEN STARTED SHAKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND FINALLY GOT CONTROL OF IT AND SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED AND NOTICED THE CROSS MEMBER WAS BROKE. IT WASN'T LIKE THAT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT I'M PAYING FOR AND CAN'T DRIVE IT CAUSE IT DANGEROUS. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 5, 2014230,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE CHEST AREA AND A SLIGHT CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Tires
Filed Jun 24, 200977,130 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T 687 (NA) TIRES, SIZE P235/60R17. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE SET OF TIRES TWO YEARS AGO. CURRENTLY, THE TWO FRONT TIRES ARE DETERIORATING FROM THE INSIDE. THE REMAINING TREAD DEPTH WAS 1/8 AND 1/16. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,130.

Suspension
Filed Oct 1, 2007AL

I WAS TRAVELING ON I-10 EASTBOUND NEAR TALLAHASSEE, FL GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN MY CAR BRIEFLY SHOOK/VIBRATED. I LET OFF THE GAS PERPLEXED WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. MY CAR CAREENED TO THE LEFT AND WITH A DEATH GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL, I TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I MOVED BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE 2 LANES OF INTERSTATE AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE GAINING CONTROL. PARTS OF TIRE AND PLASTIC WERE FLYING BEHIND ME. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT MILE MARKER 193. IT TOOK A FEW MINUTES FOR ME TO GET MY COMPOSURE. I WAS CRYING, SHAKING AND VERY SCARED. WHEN I FELT CALM AND SAFE ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I SAW THAT MY TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED BUT WAS NOT EVEN FLAT. THE FORCE WAS SO GREAT, IT RIPPED OUT ALL MY TIRE GUARD, IT TORE MY FENDER, MY BUMPER WAS TOUCHING THE GROUND AND I COULD SEE PIECES OF DEBRIS ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 31, 2006FL

STARTED MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND THE BACK DOOR ARM REST WAS SMOKING. SHUT THE CAR OFF AND PUT OUT FIRE. CALLED THE SUZUKI SHOP AND THEY HAD ME DRIVE IT IN. MY ELECTRICAL WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THEY REPLACED FUSE, SWITCH, HANDLE AND WIRE COMP. ON THE REAR DOOR. $561.00 LATER I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 18, 2006PR

DAMAGES TO MY SUV BECAUSE THE COMPANY HAVEN'T SENT THE RECALLS FOR MY SUV TO REPLACE SOME PART OF THE SUV. *NM

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed May 17, 2006WA

I AM SENDING THIS TO YOU SO MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME. MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 3 YEARS AGO. MY XL-7 MANUFACTURES DATE IS 4/02. THE BUCKLE THAT SLIDES ON THE SEAT BELTS IS RUBBING ON THE SEAT BELTS AND TEARING MY SEAT BELTS. ALL MY REAR SEAT BELTS ARE RUINED. TWO OF THE ARE COMPLETELY IN HALF AND ONE IS HANGING ON ONLY BY A FEW STRANDS AND THE LAST IS JUST STARTING TO TEAR. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO HAVE AN INSPECTION ON THEM AND I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT SUZUKI IS GOING TO DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU SEE THE SEAT BELTS YOU CAN TELL IT IS OBVIOUSLY FROM THE BUCKLE. THIS IS MY ONLY FAMILY VEHICLE WE HAVE AND WE ARE A FAMILY OF 4. I HAVE A 1980 VEHICLE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELTS AND ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER HAD I NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? *NM

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Nov 23, 20058,000 milesAZ

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO CRASHES AS A RESULT OF THE SURGING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OVER FIFTY TIMES. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed May 25, 200526,000 milesNJ

SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V512000 IN DECEMBER 2004 PURCHASED A SUZUKI XL-7 FOR $15,000 CASH WITH 24,000 MILES IN APRIL 2005 I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, SIGNALED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE CAR SPUN FROM THE REAR CAUSING IT TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND INTO A WALL. THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS SMASHED, REPAIRS ARE GOING TO COST ME $9,000 IN DAMAGES. EXPLAINED TO SUZUKI THAT THIS CAR WAS PAID FOR IN CASH AND THAT I ONLY HAD LIABILITY. SUZUKI IS STATING THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING CAUSE THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE FULL COVERAGE, AND THE RECALL WAS SENT TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALER NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CAR HAS AROUND 26,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND IS IN THE AUTO BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED. SUZUKI SHOULD PAY FOR THIS SINCE THIS CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WHY SHOLD I HAVE TO PAY AN EXTRA $9,000 WHEN THE CAR FAILED. IF THE CAR IS DAMAGED DUE TO THIS RECALL WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. DESPERATELY SEEKING ADVISE. THANK YOU

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 2, 200542,900 milesWV

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHILE MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN. OCCASIONALLY AFTER THE SOUND, THE STEERING CONTROL WOULD NOT BE THERE. THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO DEALER, WHO STATED THEY WORKED ON THE TRANSMISSION AND CHANGED THE OIL.

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 20043,000 milesNJ

VEHICLE DEVELOPED A HUMMING NOISE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. DEALER FIRST REPLACED AN AXLE BEARING. SECOND TIME REPLACED THE ENTIRE REAR, DRUM TO DRUM. THIRD TIME DEALER SAID THEY DIDN'T HEAR THE NOISE EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO CHANGE FROM THE SECOND TIME WHEN THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE REAR.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Apr 21, 2004PR

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V512000 REGARDING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FIREWALL COULD CRACK DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO FORCES FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, AND INSUFFICIENT LONG TERM DURABILITY OF THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. THE DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

Tires
Filed Mar 10, 200421,000 milesTX

BRIDGESTONE DUELER 687 P235/60R16 TIRES PREMATURE WEAR, UNSAFE TO DRIVE, SUZUKI HAS 21,000 MILES, STEERING SHAKES, TIRE DEALER STATES IT MAY BE CAR ALIGNMENT WILL NOT REPLACE. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT STATED INTERVALS, HOWEVER, MAINTENANCE HAS FAILED TO HELP THE PREMATURE WEAR. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND CANNOT FIND ANY RECALL ON THESE TIRES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANY CARS FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A WEAR PROBLEM THIS BAD. I WOULD LIKE THE MANUFACTURER TO NOT ONLY REPLACE THE TIRES BUT LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE ANY LOSS OF LIFE OCCURS. ARE THEY HIDING SOMETHING?*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Mar 9, 2004PR

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE CABLE ACCELERATOR CASING CAP. DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. NO DEALERSHIP IN PUERTO RICO HAD THE PARTS ON RECALL. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 20044,250 milesOH

ENGINE OIL LEAKS THROUGH THE EXAUST PIPE FROM THE TIMING CHAIN COVER SEAL. THE BURNING SMELL CAN BE SMELLED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE. I THOUGHT THE SMELL WILL GO AWAY. AT 4250 MILES, I FOUND OIL SPOT ON MY DRIVE WAY. DEALER TOOK OUT THE FROM PART OF ENGINE AND RE-SEALED. AFTER REPAIR, I THINK THE ENGINE IS STILL LEAKING, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE OIL/GREASE IS FROM THE RUST PROOF. I LIKE TO GET A SECOND OPION, BUT THE NEXT AVAILABLE DEALER IS MILLION MILES AWAY. IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG AND DISTURBING PROCESS FOR ME DOWN THE ROAD. SO, I DON'T RECOMMAND SUZUKI TO ANYONE, NOT EVEN PEOPLE I HATE.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Nov 29, 20032,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 2002 XL7 WITH 11,000 MILES TIRES ALREADY HAVE NO TREAD, I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MAKING AN AWFUL NOISE. SOMETIMES WHEN I GIVE IT GAS IT DOESN'T RESPOND AND WILL JUST PLAIN GIVE OUT ON ME... I SUGGEST NO ONE BUY ONE PLEASE IT GIVES SUV'S A BAD NAME. IF ANYONE HAS INFO ON MY PROBLEMS PLEASE CONTACT ME.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 28, 2003IL

TIRES WEARING OUT FAST WITH LOW MILEAGE ON THEM, BRIDGESTONE P235-60-16 DUELER H/T. BEEN COMPLAINING TO SUZUKI DEALER ABOUT TIRES AND STEERING ON THE CAR. IN ONE MONTH FROM LAST VISIT HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES BECAUSE OF CUPPING ON ALL FOUR TIRES. STEERING WAS SHIMMING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR BAD ANDALSO MAKING STEERING GO FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. DEALER WONT DO NOTHING. BUT SERVICE MANAGER AT TIRAPELLI SUZUKI STATED SUZUKI KNOWS OF A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES BUT THE DEALER DOESNT WARRANT THE TIRES. ALL THEY SUGGESTED WAS REPLACE TIRES. IF YOU LOOK AT THE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SUZUKI XR-7 YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS TIRE HAS BEEN REPLACED BEFORE BECAUSE OF BAD WEAR AND CUPPING. HAD TO PUT OUT 361.00 TODAY FOR THE TIRES AND NOW THE CAR SO FAR DRIVES OK. BUT ONLY HAS 28161 ON TIRES IN WEAR AND CAR ISNT 1 YEAR OLD.

20 of 26 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20052000Routine
200417110Routine
200313300Routine
2002 — this page26210Routine
200115200Routine

Compare every Grand Vitara XL-7 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 30, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.