Page 3 of 4 · complaints 101–150 of 161

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2006 record →

Air Bags
Filed Sep 13, 201037,800 milesKY

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ON. DEALER WANTS APPROX $2000.00 TO REPLACE SEAT BOTTOM BECAUSE SENSOR IS BUILT IN. LIGHT WAS COMING AND GOING NOW IT IS ON ALL THE TIME AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOW INOP CAR WAS APPROX 1800 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. NOW HAS APPROX 40,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE AN INVOICE FOR MY VISIT TO DOCUMENT ISSUE. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Sep 10, 201030,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. IN ORDER TO REPAIR IT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SENSOR. SUZUKI WAS CONTACTED BUT STATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON CONTINUOUSLY AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

Power Train
Filed Sep 9, 201092,096 milesNY

MY EX-HUSBAND BEFORE GIVING MY DAUGHTER THE USE OF HIS 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA TOOK IT INTO MARKETPLACE CHRYSLER - SUZUKI, INC IN ROCHESTER, NY ON 6/23/2010 TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND FOR THEM TO TAKE CARE OF ANY RECALLS ON THE CAR THAT HAD NOT BEEN DONE YET. WELL ONE THEY DID WAS "SB SHIFTER INTERLOCK" REPLACED PER RECALL IS STATED ON THE RECEIPT. WELL ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 8TH 2010 AROUND 10PM SHE WAS MOVING THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IN THE DRIVEWAY UP CLOSER TO THE HOUSE AND THE SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE WITHOUT HER HAVING HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE... IT WAS COOLER OUT AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FAST ALSO. WELL THE 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WENT THROUGH THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. MY GARAGE DOOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE DAMAGES TO THE SUZUKI HAVE BEEN FIXED ALL PAID FOR BY MY EX-HUSBANDS GEICO AUTO POLICY. THE DAY THE CAR WAS PICKED UP FROM BEING REPAIRED WE TOOK IT STRAIGHT BACK TO MARKETPLACE CHRYSLER-SUZUKI AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BUT ONCE A RECALL IS DONE THEY CAN'T REDO IT AND HAVE IT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THEY DID EVALUATE THE VEHICLE AND STATED ON THE REPAIR INVOICE "CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL COME OUT OF PARK WHEN OFF OR RUNNING" "TECH FOUND THAT THE SHIFT SWITCH WAS FAILING. REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH NEW. TEST." I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THIS. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Sep 3, 201015,000 milesCA

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA , REAR TIRES ARE GOING BALD WITHIN 12000-15000 MILES, CRAZY THING IS THAT IT IS ONLY HAPPENING TO THE REAR TIRES...I JUST WENT AND GOT MY THIRD SET OF TIRES THIS AFTERNOON SINCE HAVING THIS 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I GUESS I BETTER START FILLING UP MY PIGGI BANK FOR THE NEXT SET OF TIRES IN 12000-15000 MILES, THAT IS UNLESS SUZUKI CORP. ADMITS THAT THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Sep 3, 201044,905 milesPA

MY REAR BRAKES ARE MAKING A LOUD NOICE LIKE METAL AGAINST METAL. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AT SEVERAL PLACES, INCLUDING A SUZUKI DEALERSHIP (WRIGHT SUZUKI) IN ADDITION TO FIRESTONE AND MR. TIRE. ALL THREE SAID MY REAR BRAKES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AS WELL AS THE FRONT. I ALSO REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS TO GO DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER THAN WHAT I PRECIVE AS NORMAL (COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES). THIS STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND I JUST HAD THEM CHECKED AGAIN ON 8/28/10 AT MR. TIRE AGAIN, AND NOTHING IS WRONG. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO WRIGHT SUZUKI TO HAVE ANOTHER RECALL ON THE SAME VECHICLE CERTIFIED THAT I HAD THE WORK DONE EARLIER, ANOTHER SUZUKI GRAND VITARA LIKE MINE WAS PULLING INTO THE SERVICE BAY AND IT'S REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING THE SAME NOICE AS MINE. I SPOKE TO THE OWNER AND HE SAID HIS STARTED ABOUT 2 WEEKS EARLIER AND HE TOO NOTICED HIS BRAKE PEDDLE GOING DOWN FURTHER THAN IT HAD BEFORE. NOW I ONLY HAVE MINE AND THE OTHER SUZUKI OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM, I AM FILING A COMPLAINT TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I'M AFRAID MY BRAKES MAY FAIL WHEN I NEED THEM MOST. I'M TRYING TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE BUT NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 2, 201059,000 milesPR

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FREQUENTLY BURN OUT AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR TWICE CHANGED, NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON FREQUENTLY. AC BLOWS HOT AIR SUDDENLY. POWER STEERING PLASTIC TENSIONER MAY BREAK OUT. REAR WHEEL COVER IMPACT WIIL DENT BACKDOOR. *TR

Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly
Filed Aug 16, 201036,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE SEVERELY WORN AND FRAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEATBELTS COULD BE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,722.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Aug 12, 201037,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT SHUT ON AND OFF AND IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AND THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR APPROXIMATELY $2,275. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTIFIED SUZUKI WHO WAS UNABLE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor
Filed Aug 12, 201018,500 milesHI

ALL WAS NORMAL IN THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE DEFECTIVE ITEMS BELOW: AC FAN BLOWER MOTOR- BROKEN, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO AIR BLOWING THROUGH VENTS. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT- BROKEN, PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 29, 2010131,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FALL FARTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD THAN USUAL. THE DEALER ORDERED AND WAS AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF A MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE PADS TO REPLACE ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARTS HAD NOT ARRIVED AFTER TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER BLED THE BRAKE LINES AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PARTS HAD ARRIVED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED HER SAFETY WAS IN JEOPARDY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 131,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 19, 201035,921 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR DISPLAYED A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,921 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jul 19, 201045,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 45,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 15, 2010130,000 milesME

SUV LOST POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC WOULD NOT TAKE GAS TOOK TO DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM TWO WEEKS LATER SAME THING HAD TO GET BOOSTED THREE TIMES TO GET TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS ALTERNATOR THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Jul 12, 20104,280 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V250000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RECALLED PART WAS AVAILABLE. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 28 MILES FROM HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT REPAIR IT SINCE THE PART WAS NOT IN STOCK. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE AS WELL AS THE UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. HE EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. UPDATED 8/25/10 *CN UPDATED 08/27/10 UPDATED 08/30/10*JB

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 7, 201049,000 milesVA

I NOTIFIED MY CAR DEALERSHIP, SUZUKI THAT MY SEATBELT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. THEY STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $85 FOR THEM TO MAKE A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. THEN PAY FOR WHATEVER PARTS/LABOR TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT COME ALL THE WAY OUT, IT APPEARS THAT THE SPRING LATCH THAT CONTROL IT IS BROKEN. THEY STATED THAT THE SEATBELT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY AFTER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILEAGE. MY QUESTION IS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS IS NOT COVERED, MY VEHICLE IS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. IT APPEARS THAT NO ONE IS CONCERN WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE SEAT BELTS ARE THE NUMBER ONE SAFETY FEATURE IN ADDITION TO THE AIRBAGS. THAT WOULD BE LIKE TELLING ME THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THEY DON'T DEPLOY THEN WHO IS AT FAULT AND WHO BE SUED IN THE EVENT OF DEATH? I WILL TAKE THIS FURTHER IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED, BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

Steering
Filed May 25, 201025,768 milesPA

POWER STEERING FAILS DUE TO LOSS OF TENSION ON BELTS BECAUSE PLASTIC OR NYLON TENSION BAR BRAKES OR FALLS OFF. APPARENTLY HAPPENS ALL THE TIME ON THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AT SUPER HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Electronic Stability Control › Automatic (asc)
Filed Apr 15, 2010DC

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. CONSUMER STATES CONCERN WITH THE FAILURE OF THE ESP (ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM) MODULE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPLACEMENT UNIT IS $3,000.00 PLUS INSTALLATION AND TAX. *JB

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Apr 5, 201028,740 milesHI

I PURCHASED A 2ND HAND 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE LIGHT FOR MY AIR BAG LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS I CONDUCTED MY RESEARCH WITH THE MAINLAND SUZUKI OFFICE AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, IT WAS PRESENTED TO ME THAT MANY, MANY VEHICLES OF THE SAME WAS BROUGHT IT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT BUT WAS RESPONSIBLE IN PAYING A LITTLE OVER $2,000.00 OUT OF MY POCKET. APPARENTLY THE "BLACK LISTED" EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS PROVIDED TO ME AT THE TIME OF SALE, DOES NOT COVER RESTRAINTS. I AM UPSET THAT THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS CAR DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, AND FOR 2ND HAND BUYERS - WE ARE MADE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. I AM UPSET ON TOP OF BEING FINANCIALLY DRAINED AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO PROCEED IN FILING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. CAN YOU RESPECTFULLY RESPOND AS I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTY THAT COVERS RESTRAINTS IN PLACE? *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 3, 201032,750 milesCA

GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY I EXPERIENCED A MAJOR LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO "MUSCLE" IT TO MY OFFICE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. IN SEARCHING THE WEB, I DISCOVERED THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE BELT TENSIONER WHERE A MOLDED PLASTIC OUTER RING IS PRONE TO FAILURE. WHEN THIS BREAKS, THE BELT BECOMES LOOSE AND LOOSES ITS GRIP ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. SURE ENOUGH, PARTS OF THE BROKEN OUTER RING WERE FOUND IN THE PAN UNDER THE ENGINE. SUZUKI HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON NEWER CARS WITH AN ALL METAL PULLEY AND IT'S AN EASY REPLACEMENT. I WAS LUCKY, HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED GOING AROUND A CURVE OR TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. SUZUKI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART IF THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

Steering
Filed Mar 18, 201041,400 milesIN

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2.7L SUV -TURNING THROUGH A MAJOR INTERSECTION WHEN THE POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY LOST IT'S OUTER RING WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOSS OF THIS RING CAUSED THE BELT TO SLIP, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, NOT JUST POWER STEERING, BUT OF STEERING ALTOGETHER BECAUSE THE BELT SLIPPAGE WAS CAUSING INTERMITTENT PUMPING OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, CAUSING FLUID CAVITATION AND MAKING THE WHEEL IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. BY SHEER LUCK I MANAGED TO GET MY VEHICLE TO TURN BY ALMOST HITTING A CAR HEAD -ON. SUZUKI KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE 2006 AND 2007 GRAND VITARA POWER STEERING PUMP TENSIONER PULLEYS AND HAS EVEN RELEASED A REVISED PART THAT USES A METAL OUTER RING ON THE PULLEY INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC ONE. HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE I HAD 41,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THIS FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED. AFTER DISCUSSING MY CONCERN WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER I CALLED THE 800# FOR SUZUKI AND COMPLAINED AND THE LOCAL DISTRICT MANAGER CALLED MY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND DECIDED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT AFTER I TOLD THEM ABOUT WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET ABOUT SO MANY OTHERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THAT I WAS GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 16, 201067,487 milesKY

POWER STEERING PULLEY BROKE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. FAILURE : LOST POWER STEERING. HAD TO TOW THE SUV TO THE DEALERSHIP (SINCE IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING). DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PULLEY. I HAVE THE OLD PULLEY. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 28, 201041,800 milesMI

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 12, 201040,585 milesNM

THERE IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE 2006, 2007 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE POWER STEERING TENSIONER, DUE TO ITS DEFECTIVE DESIGN, CAN FALL APART AT ANYTIME. THAT PARTICULAR PART HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED, DUE TO MANY FAILURES, AND THE NEW PART SUBSEQUENTLY UTILIZED IN THE LATER MODELS OF THAT VEHICLE. HOWEVER, NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE BY SUZUKI TO RECALL THE VEHICLE OR INFORM IT'S OWNERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE POWER STEERING TENSIONER BREAKS APART, THE POWER STEERING IS IMMEDIATELY DISABLED AND THE DRIVER IS FACED WITH A VERY SUDDEN, SEVERE INCREASE IN EFFORT, REQUIRED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MANY PEOPLE WOULD PANIC IN THAT SITUATION AND COULD VERY LIKELY HAVE A COLLISION. AS SOON AS I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HAD ME BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. THE REPAIR MANAGER MENTIONED TO ME THAT HE HAD AT LEAST 20 FAILURES OF THAT COMPONENT OCCUR WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS. I CALLED SUZUKI, BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST NOR EVEN GIVE THE SLIGHTEST HINT OF WANTING TO RECALL THAT MODEL & YEAR VEHICLE. FYI, THE ORIGINAL TENSIONER CONSISTED OF A METAL PULLEY WHEEL WHICH HAD A PLASTIC ?U? SHAPED RIM MOLDED ONTO THE OUTSIDE OF THE PULLEY. THE FUNCTION OF THE PLASTIC RIM IS TO HOLD THE POWER STEERING BELT IN PLACE. THE FAILURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED ARE DUE TO THE PLASTIC RIM FALLING OFF OF THE PULLEY (DUE TO DETERIORATION OR FATIGUE), LOOSENING THE BELT AND THUS NO LONGER TURNING THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE

Steering
Filed Feb 1, 201052,000 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2.7L SUV ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY LOST IT'S OUTER RING WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOSS OF THIS RING CAUSED THE BELT TO SLIP, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, NOT JUST POWER STEERING, BUT OF STEERING ALTOGETHER BECAUSE THE BELT SLIPPAGE WAS CAUSING INTERMITTENT PUMPING OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, CAUSING FLUID CAVITATION AND MAKING THE WHEEL IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. BY SHEER LUCK I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT CRASHING. SUZUKI KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE 2006 AND 2007 GRAND VITARA POWER STEERING PUMP TENSIONER PULLEYS AND HAS EVEN RELEASED A REVISED PART THAT USES A METAL OUTER RING ON THE PULLEY INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC ONE. THE PART WAS $180 AFTER TAX, AND TOOK AN HOUR OF LABOR TO INSTALL. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 2, 201012,000 milesSC

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES ON MY VEHICLE FOUR TIMES IN THREE YEARS AND ALL SUZUKI WILL SAY IS IT IS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM AND A WEAR PROBLEM AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. I HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY ON TIRES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS FOR THIS VEHICLE THAN I CAN AFFORD. AND MY TIRES KEEP GOING BALD WITHIN 12K MILES OR LESS AND I HAVE PUT THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT SUZUKI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND NOT THE TIRES. HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT TAKE TO ROTATE TIRES AND GET ALIGNMENTS ON A NORMAL WORKING VEHICLE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TIRES WEARING OUT TO BALD AND THREADBARE BEFORE A 3K MILE ROTATION IS DONE ON THEM. VEHICLE ALSO SKIDS ON WET ROADS AND ALIGNMENTS KEEP GOING OUT ON VEHICLE AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED ANY MORE. ALSO IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN FIRST STARTING TO DRIVE VEHICLE. MECHANICS SAID BRAKES ARE FINE BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND HELP US FOLKS THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING TIRES EVERY TIME WE TURN AROUND. *TR

Tires
Filed Dec 17, 200912 milesVA

I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST ALL GEARS ON MY CAR. I STARTED TO ROLL BACK. I AM ALSO GOING ON MY FOURTH SET OF TIRES ON THIS CAR. THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO THINK THIS IS NORMAL. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Nov 15, 200955,000 milesPA

( CORRECTED REPORT ) MY WIFE HAD JUST FILLED THE TRUCK UP AT SHEETZ..I WENT TO PULL IT UP AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN GEAR IT TOOK OFF...WENT ABOUT 70 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR AND BRICK WALL..BRAKES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR NOT WORKING..MY WIFE HAD A SIMILAR EVENT THE DAY BEFORE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND WE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT.. THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN !! I WAS NOT INJURED AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE STEET RIGHT IN FRON OF ME!! I FOUND NO RECALLS OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE INTERNET AND NO SIMILAR REPORTS..BUT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED..ACCIDENT IS REPORTED WITH WEST HILLS POLICE JOHNSTOWN PA .. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Nov 15, 200955,000 milesPA

MY WIFE HAD JUST FILLED THE TRUCK UP AT SHEETZ..I WENT TO PULL IT UP AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN GEAR IT TOOK OFF...WENT ABOUT 70 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR AND BRICK WALL..BRAKES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR NOT WORKING..MY WIFE HAD A SIMILAR EVENT THE DAY BEFORE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND WE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT.. THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN !! I WAS NOT INJURED AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE STEER RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!! I FOUND NO RECALLS OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE INTERNET AND NO SIMILAR REPORTS..BUT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED..ACCIDENT IS REPORTED WITH WEST HILLS POLICE JOHNSTOWN PA .. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Nov 15, 200955,000 milesPA

MY WIFE HAD JUST FILLED THE TRUCK UP AT SHEETZ..I WENT TO PULL IT UP AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN GEAR IT TOOK OFF...WENT ABOUT 70 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR AND BRICK WALL..BRAKES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR NOT WORKING..MY WIFE HAD A SIMILAR EVENT THE DAY BEFORE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND WE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT.. THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN !! I WAS NOT INJURED AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE STREET RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!! I FOUND NO RECALLS OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE INTERNET AND NO SIMILAR REPORTS..BUT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED..ACCIDENT IS REPORTED WITH WEST HILLS POLICE JOHNSTOWN PA .. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Oct 7, 200945,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHEN SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE HESITATING. SHE WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE AFTER REPEATED BRAKING ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE WHEELS WERE MISALIGNED. FOUR NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED WHICH INCLUDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE RESURFACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,251.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Jun 3, 200954,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TENSIONER PULLEY WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE AND REPLACED THE TENSIONER PULLEYS FROM PLASTIC TO METAL ON ALL MODELS AFTER 2006. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THEY WERE ALREADY AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

Steering
Filed May 16, 200954,025 milesNY

MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA HAS A BROKEN POWER STEERING TENSIONER PULLEY. THE REASON IS THAT THE MANY 2006 MODELS OF THE GRAND VITARA USED A METAL PULLEY WRAPPED WITH A PIECE OF PLASTIC AROUND IT. THE PLASTIC HAS CRACKED, AND ACCORDING TO SUZUKI, IT IS NOT FREE TO REPLACE IT. SINCE 2007, SUZUKI HAS STARTED USING A ALL-SOLID METAL TENSIONER PULLEY AFTER REALIZING THAT PLASTIC TENDS TO BREAK MORE OFTEN. ACCORDING TO SUZUKI, A BROKEN TENSIONER PULLEY WILL LEAD TO IMMEDIATE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THIS COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS WHEN POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. HAVING REALIZED THIS DESIGN FLAW, SUZUKI IS STILL NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC-COVERED TENSIONER PULLEY FOR FREE, ASKING ME FOR $200 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN WHERE I AM NOT AT FAULT. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE TECHNICIAN IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD'VE DONE TO PREVENT IT, AND HE SAID NO. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES IF LEFT IN IT'S CURRENT STATE. I FEEL LIKE THIS TYPE OF DESIGN FLAW SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SUZUKI TO CORRECT, AND NOT THE CONSUMER. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 30, 200955,000 milesNC

STARTED MY CAR AND THERE WAS A LOUD ODD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AFTER A LITTLE INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING TENSIONER (WHICH ON EARLY 06 MODELS SUCH AS MINE WAS MADE FROM PLASTIC) HAD CRACKED CAUSING A LOUD NOISE AS WELL AS AN END TO MY POWER STEERING. THE CAR IS WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FIX IT AS IT DOESN'T FALL UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THIS SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE EARLY MODEL 06 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA OWNERS. SUZUKI FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH LATER 06 MODELS AND ON NEWER MODELS BY CHANGING THE TENSION PULLEY FROM PLASTIC TO STEEL. *TR

Tires
Filed Mar 31, 2009PR

PALANCA DE CAMBIO. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 21, 200938,800 milesWA

ON 3/20/2009 APPROXIMATELY 7:30 PACIFIC TIME-MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO COMPLETE BREAKDOWNS WITHIN TWO AND 1/2 MONTHS. IN THE PREVIOUS REPAIR FROM THE PROBLEM DATED JANUARY 3RD 2009, [PREVIOUS ODI NUMBER 10258356], IT WAS FOUND THAT A TWO PART GEAR WHICH DRIVES THE CAM BROKE RESULTING IN BENT VALVES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE, AND THUS REPLACED.(THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY IT BROKE) A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE HEADS WENT TO A MACHINE SHOP FOR WORK TO BE DONE. ON MARCH 20TH AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M PACIFIC TIME, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM DINNER, AND UPON GOING UP A SHORT GRADUAL HILL, THE VEHICLE MADE A 'RATTLING' SOUND LIKE A CHAIN SLIPPING IN A GEAR. THE SOUND LASTED APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS AND THE ENGINE DIED IN NEARLY THE SAME MOMENT AS THE SOUND. I TURNED OFF THE KEY- I THEN TURNED KEY BACK TO ACCESSORIES TO SEE WHICH LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. THE ENGINE, OIL AND BATTERY LIGHTS STAYED ON. I DID NOT TRY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER REPAIR SHOP. (3/21/09) 38800 APPROX. MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE DIED THREE WEEKS TO THE DAY FROM THE GETTING IT BACK FROM THE FIRST REPAIR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 11, 200938,407 milesWA

SAT 1/3/09: 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA DIED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON MTN LOOP HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY DIED-NO WARNING-SPEEDOMETER FELL TO ZERO. ENGINE LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER TRYING TO RESTART ENGINE. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE TO GET IT OFF OF THE ROAD. COULD NOT START IT LATER. HAD IT TOWED. 1ST REPAIR SHOP FOUND SPARK PLUGS GUMMED-REMOVED THE VALVE COVER. "REQUIRES REPLACEMENT GASKETS AND OTHER PARTS-IT APPEARS THE KEY FOR THE TIMING "CHAIN" BROKE AND CAME OFF-NEED TO DISMANTLE MORE OF THE ENGINE." THEY DID. THE DAMAGE APPEARS TO BE BENT VALVES AND THE BROKEN 2-PIECE GEAR". THEY DISCUSSED REBUILD VERSUS ENGINE REPLACEMENT BEING POTENTIALLY A LESS EXPENSIVE OPTION. FOUND OUT THAT POWER TRAIN STILL UNDER WARRANTY. UNDER WARRANTY WERE REQUIRED TO SEND TO A DEALER SHOP. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER SHOP-THEIR DIAGNOSIS-APPARENT PROBLEM IS TWO GEARS THAT WORK TO DRIVE THE CAM SEPARATED AFTER ONE GEAR BROKE. LEFT VALVES ARE BENT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. MACHINE SHOP WORK IS REQUIRED ON CYLINDER HEAD. SUZUKI'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER: CASE # 2-181089136-2-PIECE GEAR HAD A DISTINCTIVE CRACK. "THE ". ENGINE HEAD WAS SENT FOR MACHINE SHOP WORK IS BACK-2/10 WORK CANNOT START UNTIL 2/16 OR LATER. THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE LOWER ENGINE. DO NOT KNOW ABOUT AVAILABILITY OF BROKEN PARTS. VEHICLE STILL AT SHOP. IT HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE SINCE 1/3/2009. *TR

Suspension › RearCrash
Filed Feb 8, 200964,000 milesTX

ON FEBRUARY ,1ST, 2009 , THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 GOING EAST NEAR VIDOR, TEXAS. WHILE GOING ~ 60 M/HR. LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT WAS SPINNING ON THE FREEWAY(2 LANES , CONSTRUCTION ZONE).THE CAR ALSO HAD SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT AND REAR RIGHT BUMPER DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST THE FREEWAY DIVIDER. ALL 4 TIRES WERE INTACT, NO BLOW OUTS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SUZUKI DEALER IN HOUSTON (DMONTROND SUZUKI 281-872-0934). MY INSURANCE COMPANY ADJUSTER DECIDED TO TOTAL THE CAR ON 2/6/09. I CONTACTED SUZUKI CORPORATION AT 800-934-0934 TALKED TO ORLANDO. ORLANDO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR AND ALL HE CAN DO IS TO GET INFORMATION AND GIVE ME A CASE NUMBER, I GAVE HIM THE SAME DETAILS IN THIS LETTER AND THE CASE NUMBER HE GAVE ME IS 2-183409403. I DID NOT HEAR FROM SUZUKI SINCE I FILED THE COMPLAIN ON 2/6/09. *TR

Suspension
Filed Dec 5, 200819,404 milesFL

THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT ON THIS CAR. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF BACK TIRES IN LESS THAN 36,000 MILES. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IT'S NOT A PROBLEM... BUT JUST SOMETHING I SHOULD EXPECT WITH THE GRAND VITARA. HE ADVISED THAT THEY DO KNOW THAT THE CAR IS EATING UP BACK TIRES AT A VERY QUICK RATE, BUT THAT SINCE THEY KNOW THIS, THEY NOW EXPECT IT AND THEREFORE IT IS NOT AN ISSUE. I AM NOW REPLACING MY SECOND SET OF TIRES AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES (MY FIRST SET WAS REPLACED AT 19000). THEY ARE COMPLETELY BARE AND UNSAFE. I AM APPALLED THAT INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE FOR THE SAFETY OF IT'S CUSTOMERS (AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD), THAT INSTEAD SUZUKI IS JUST ADVISING ME TO "DEAL WITH IT". I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT MY TIRES PROPERLY FILLED, CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE ETC. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR THAT IT IS MAKING THESE TIRES GO BALD SO QUICKLY. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 27, 20082,250 milesWA

SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL AND GRINDING FROM FRONT RIGHT OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL. YET WHEN I DRIVE MY 07 KIA I ALMOST SEND MYSELF THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD EVERYTIME I PRESS ON THE BRAKES (SAME THING APPLIES WHEN I DRIVE MY 1988 C2500) BECAUSE I'M SO USE TO HAVING TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND MULTIPLE TIMES. I'M SURE THIS ISN'T NORMAL. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T THINK THAT SAFETY IS A CONCERN. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 27, 20083,963 milesCA

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEMS ARE: STEERING SHAFT, ENGINE MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION, GASOLINE ODOR FROM ENGINE AND SEAT WARMER NOT WORKING. *KB THE ENGINE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE CAMSHAFT TIMING BELT WHICH NEEDED TO BE RE-TORQUED. THE PURGE VALVE WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 8, 2008PA

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WITH RECALL ON TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. DEALER TRIED A COMPUTER UPGRADE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DID NOT WORK. *KB UPDATED 05/15/08. *JB

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 8, 200815,000 milesAL

I PURCHASED MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IN 2006 BRAND NEW. WITHIN 15K MILES, THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT, SO I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD PUT 2 NEW TIRES ON IT, IF I PURCHASED AND ALIGNMENT, WHICH I DID. NOW AT 33K MILES, MY TIRES ARE WORN OUT AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY HAD CHANGED THE SPECS ON SUZUKI'S ALIGNMENTS, SO NOW MY ALIGNMENT IS OUT DUE TO OLD SPECS. THEY DID OFFER TO PUT 2 NEW TIRES AND ALIGN IT IF WE PURCHASED 2 MORE TIRES @ $380.00. I TOLD THEM I COULD GET TIRES CHEAPER THAN THAT AND THEY PULLED THE OFFER. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, AS LONG AS THE ALIGNMENT IS OUT, IT WILL CONTINUE TO EAT MY TIRES OFF. IT IS VERY UNFAIR THAT I HAVE TO GET AN ATTORNEY TO GET SUZUKI TO FIX MY CAR THAT IS UNDER WARRANTY. I KNOW THE TIRES ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE ALIGNMENT IS!!! *TR

Steering › Column1 injured
Filed Jan 2, 20086,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SHIFTING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE STEERING BOLTS. TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN FELL ON THE FLOOR CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. A FORMAL COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN HER NECK AND BACK. UPDATED

Steering › ColumnCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 21, 20076,500 milesNY

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 6,500 MILES STEERING COLUMN. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR STEERING COLUMN BEING LOOSE. TOLD US THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY IT GOT LOOSE BUT THEY TIGHTENED UP. THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED ONTO LAP CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF CAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 26, 2007MD

I PURCHASED A SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IN JULY OF 2006. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, 4 WEEKS AT THE MOST, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE DEALER FAULKNER SUZUKI (HARRISBURG, PA) AND TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN OXYGEN SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THEY CHANGED THE SENSORS. BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEREAFTER, APPROXIMATELY EVERY 4 TO 8 WEEKS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - TO WHICH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT FAULKNER RESPONDED BY CHANGING THE OXYGEN SENSORS AND REPLACING THE ASSOCIATED COMPUTER. ALSO OF NOTE, THEIR WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WHEELS ON THE CAR (WHICH IMPAIRED STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) TO WHICH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED WITH HAVING ME PURCHASE NEW TIRES - THE CAR WAS 8 MONTHS OLD AT THIS POINT (THIS DID NOT FULLY RESOLVE THAT PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT DID IMPROVE SOMEWHAT). DURING ALL THIS, THE CAR WAS EMITTING A SMOKE SMELL/EXHAUST INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS (I WAS TOLD THAT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DETECT THE SMOKE SMELL/EXHAUST). WITH ALL OF THIS IN MIND, I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT THE BUSINESSES PRACTICES OF SUZUKI. WHEN THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR BEGAN, I ASKED TO HAVE MY TRADE IN VEHICLE RETURNED TO ME OR TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE (AS I FELT UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR I PURCHASED) NEITHER REQUEST WAS HONORED. I HAD NOT EXPECTED TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH A NEW CAR, NO ONE DOES. SO WHEN A PROBLEM AROSE, MY EXPECTATION WAS THAT IT WOULD BE IMMEDIATE

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 28, 200727,949 milesPR

FAULTY LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT, BOTH SIDE WERE BLOW OUT OR MELTING, ONE OF THE EVENTS WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. IN FIRST TIME, I CALL THE SERVICE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE USE AND TIME OF THE LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I ACCEPTED THEIR EXPLANATION. BUT, AGAIN AT JUNE THEY BLOW OUT OR DAMAGE AGAIN, THIS TIME AT NIGHT. I WENT TO THE SERVICE DEALER AND AGAIN THEY SAID THE SAME REASON THAT THEY GAVE ME WHEN I CALL. AGAIN I ACCEPT, BUT THEY DIDN'T CHANGE IT. AGAIN ONE WEEK AGO THEY BLOW OUT, THEN I DECIDE TO DO THIS COMPLAINT. EVERYTIME I CHANGE THE LIGHTS I CHANGES FOR THE ONES THE MANUAL SAID. SINCE THE SECOND EVENT I SAW SOME VEHICLES LIKE MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THE LOW HEADLIGHT WERE BLOWOUT. *TR

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 27, 200713,000 milesNY

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MINE AND MANY OTHER 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MODELS WHERE THE REAR ALIGNMENT IS WAY OUT OF SPECIFICATION CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO GO BALD WITHIN 10,000 MILES. SUZUKI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING, THEY HAVE ALREADY CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT, HOWEVER THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE BAD TIRES. THE TIRES ONLY HAVE TREAD LEFT ON THE INSIDE EDGES INDICATING A SCRUBBING SITUATION. I FEEL THAT THE TIRES ARE VERY UNSAFE, AND I NOW CANNOT DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed May 29, 20071,800 milesCO

AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2006, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPT OF PHIL LONG SUZUKI 9 TIMES IN AN 8 MONTH PERIOD. THE HEATER INSIDE THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XSPORT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE SERVICE DEPT HAS NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT. I'VE BEEN CAUGHT IN 4 BLIZZARDS HERE IN COLORADO WITH 2 BABIES IN THE CAR AND NO HEATER! THE SUZUKI CORPORATION REFUSES TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT! THE DISTRICT MANAGER, MIKE WETSTONE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT RUDE AND REFUSES TO HELP WITH THIS MATTER. THE SUZUKI CORPORATION REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND HAS CONTINUOUSLY PUSHED US OFF ON THE DISTRICT MANAGER. I DEFINITELY PURCHASED A LEMON AND WAS THREATENED BY MIKE WETSTONE THAT IF I GO THROUGH WITH FILING A REPORT THROUGH THE LEMON LAW, IT WILL COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET!!! *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 3, 20072,491 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES PRODUCED A LOUD SCRUBBING AND SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING 45 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES TO HAVE THE FAILURE REPAIRED, BUT IT RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE ,AND IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE, VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,491. *AK

Structure › Body › Hood
Filed Apr 12, 20079,000 milesNY

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 9,000 MILES. SHE HAD THE HOOD OPEN IN THE MORNING OF 4-12-07, BUT SLAMMED THE HOOD SHUT. AFTER DRIVING AT 20 MILES THE HOOD FLIPPED UP AND OBSCURED HER VIEW. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, AND WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE HOOD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY HOOK FOR THE HOOD HAD TO BE REPLACE AS IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 05/21/07 *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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