Owners filed 38 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 6 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
5
1
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
3
0
0
0
Air Bags
3
3
0
4
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
2
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
2
2
0
0
Visibility › Windshield
1
0
0
0
Tires › Sidewall
1
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
Suspension › Front
1
0
0
0
6 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor05V452000
Filed Oct 5, 2005801 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.
Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH WHEELS, THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS MAY BREAK UNDER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR IN CONDITIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS ON EXTREMELY STEEP PAVED DOWN-SLOPES WHILE CONTINUOUSLY APPLYING THE BRAKES.
Risk. THE FRONT BRAKES MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE MAY PULL TO ONE SIDE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005. THESE VEHICLES ARE LOCATED ON ST. THOMAS ISLAND (VIRGIN ISLANDS). OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI DEL CARIBE AT 787-622-0600.
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.
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables03V512000
Filed Dec 5, 2003196,876 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.
Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FIREWALL CAN CRACK DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO FORCES FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND INSUFFICIENT LONG-TERM DURABILITY OF THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. IF THE CASING CAP BECOMES CRACKED, MOVEMENT OF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE THROUGH THE CAP CAN CAUSE THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE TO BECOME FRAYED.
Risk. IF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE BECOMES FRAYED, IT CAN STICK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THE CASE WHERE AN ACCELERATOR CABLE STICKS, THE DRIVER COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING VEHICLE SPEED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, WHICH INCLUDES THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Filed Apr 27, 200159,888 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE COULD 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 INSTALL A REDESIGNED INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM UNION AND A NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Equipment › Other › Labels01V070000
Filed Mar 2, 200114,911 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE PRESENTATION OF SOME OF THE INFORMATION ON THE TIRE INFORMATION LABEL DEVIATES FROM THE FORMAT SET FORTH IN THE STANDARD AND THE LABEL MAY NOT BE "PERMANENTLY AFFIXED" AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Risk. THE LABEL MAY NOT BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD BY SOME CUSTOMERS.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW LABELS AS WELL AS AN UPDATE TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Wheels00E080000
Filed Dec 26, 200098 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.
Defect. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: STEEL REPLACEMENT WHEELS, PART NO. 4310-665D21-27S, USED FOR SPARE PARTS ON 1999-2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA AND 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED WHEELS WERE PRODUCED FROM JULY 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2000. THE THICKNESS OF THE STEEL WHEEL INBOARD OF THE AREA WHERE THE WHEEL RIM IS WELDED TO THE WHEEL DISK IS LESS THAN THE DESIGN SPECIFICATION.
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE WHEEL, GRADUAL LOSS OF AIR IN THE TIRE, AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy. DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED TO REMOVE ANY OF THESE AFFECTED WHEELS FROM THE STOCK INVENTORY AND RETURN TO AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR COMPANY. SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY ANY END USERS WHICH PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT WHEELS OF THE DEFECT AND TO RETURN THEIR WHEELS TO SUZUKI FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Dec 28, 2016135,000 milesWA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000. UPDATED 04/05/17*LJ *CN
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2015104,189 milesPR
MY CAR WAS CALLED BACK YEARS AGO BUT NEVER SERVICED . THEY SAID THEY'D CALL NEVER DID. NOW I'M EXPIERIENCING PROBLEMS VITH MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT CAR AND WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING. IT'S A 2001 GRAND VITARA STANDARD AND IT CRANKS BUT WON'T START. IT'S HAPPEND BEFORE. MY GAS PEDDLE GOES ALL THE WAY ON THE FLOOR. DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. FEELS AS IF A LINE WAS BROKEN. THE CAR USE TO SHIFT TO THE SIDE WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES. CAN YOU HELP? WHAT IS IT? I HAVEN'T BEEN SBLE TO USE MY CAR FOR A WEEK.
Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Oct 8, 201385,000 milesIA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND STERNUM WHILE THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FACIAL INJURY FROM STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Oct 7, 201385,000 milesIA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UNTIL MOMENTS AFTER IMPACT. THE PASSENGER WAS PROPELLED INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE, FINGERS AND FACE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE STERNUM. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED TO DETERMINE THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/24/13*CN
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 8, 201378,400 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST TURNED OVER WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED INTO THE BUSHES TO AVOID A CRASH AND WAS THEN SHUTDOWN WITH THE KEYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,400. UPDATED 04/02/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ARRESTED BECAUSE OF THIS EVENT. UPDATED 04/18/2013 *JS
Tires › Sidewall
Filed Sep 18, 200652,750 milesOH
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 21 IN OHIO. I HEARD A FUNNY NOISE COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE BACK. DOING 60 MILES AN HOUR AND MY BACK DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. NO ACCIDENT. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 4, 200524,900 milesIL
I PURCHASED A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARTA WITH 8000 MILES. AT 24,500 MILES THE ENGINE BEGAN TO HAVE NOISE. TOOK TO DEALER WHO STATED IT WAS TIMING CHIN TENSIONER. THEY REPLACED 2 TENSIONERS AT THE DEALERS EXPENSE. I HAVE PUT AN ADDITIONAL 5000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE BACK. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE TENSIONERS AND FOUND 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME PART. SUZUKI HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS ITEM AS OF YET, HOWEVER IF THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BREAK, ACCIDENTS CAN OCCUR. I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND AM NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM WITH BE FIXED AND IS SO AT WHOSE EXPENSE. THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP IS 65 MILES AWAY. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN TSB ON THIS PART SO SUZUKI IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2005GA
CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING CONCERNS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS ON THE 1999-2002 GRAND VITARI XL7. *MR OTHER PROBLEMS: BROKEN KEYLESS ENTRY WHICH OCCURRED TWICE, THE VEHICLE RADIATOR (TWICE), WATER PUMP (TWICE), AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED TWICE. TSB TS 07 03014R2 *SC
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Feb 8, 2005TX
THE TIMING TENSIONER FAILED, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO MALFUNCTION. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT THREE CYLINDERS. THERE WAS A LOSS OF PROPER TIMING, AND VALVES TENSIONERS STARTED TO KNOCK. *AK
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Nov 10, 2004VA
WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF THE CAR PORT VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLE, AND HIT A BRICK WALL. NO INJURIES REPORTED. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS .IN BOTH INCIDENTS CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP. HOWEVER, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPEED. CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Oct 18, 2004WA
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE(04V427000) REGARDING THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *JB
Air BagsCrash
Filed May 7, 2004IL
2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *MR CONSUMER WAS HIT ON THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO SLIDE AND SPIN. AFTER THE SPIN, VEHICLE HIT A WALL HEAD ON CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE ON THE FRONT END. THE AIRBAGS AND MODULE WHERE FULLY INTACT AND HAD NO SIGN OF BEING TAMPERED PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. *LA
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Apr 13, 2004PR
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V51200 IN FEBRUARY 2004 ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL. DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Mar 16, 200430,000 milesPR
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP ON FEBRUARY 2, 2003. DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. ALSO, THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN PUERTO RICO.*AK
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Mar 15, 200437,150 milesPR
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP . DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. ALSO, THERE WERE NOT PARTS AVAILABLE IN PUERTO RICO.*AK
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Mar 3, 2004MA
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL LETTER 03V512000 CONCERNING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED ACCELERATOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE HOW LONG IT WAS GOING TO LAST. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 26, 200432,000 milesFL
VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY LOST OIL DUE TO A OIL LEAK. *PH *MR
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Jan 29, 200424,000 milesNC
CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CASTING RECALL 03V512000 REPAIRS PERFORMED. CONSUMER MISSED THE APPOINTMENT DUE TO AN ICE STORM. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED TO RESCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 4 WEEKS. *AK
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights › Switch
Filed Nov 28, 2003WA
TAIL LIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *AK *MR
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 19, 2003FL
AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER AGREED TO FIX THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME A DIFFERENT REPAIR WAS MADE BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO USE A QUART OF OIL EVERY 3000 MILES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE FRONT END WOBBLED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT WINDOWS WHEN CLOSING THEM. *NLM
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: Oct 5, 2005. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.