RoadVitals

2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Oct 29, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 30, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, engine and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels720.6%
  • Engine617.6%
  • Driver assistance617.6%
  • Suspension411.8%
  • Electrical38.8%
  • Fuel system25.9%
  • Visibility12.9%
  • Powertrain (other)12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
04V427000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Aug 30, 2004
172,093 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The 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.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number 99-ERView on NHTSA.gov
03V223000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Jun 16, 2003
5,319 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number ECView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 26
Filed Oct 29, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11372294
Incident
Aug 12, 2015
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 29, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11143858
Incident
Jan 5, 2018
Engine
Filed Nov 8, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10925059
Incident
Jan 28, 2013
Suspension
Filed Feb 1, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10680354
Incident
Jan 5, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 5, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10596451
Incident
Oct 28, 2013
Mileage
230,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 24, 2009

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.

NHTSA ID
10274879
Incident
Jan 14, 2009
Mileage
77,130 mi
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Oct 1, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10204536
Incident
Sep 28, 2007
Electrical
Filed May 31, 2006
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10158644
Incident
May 25, 2006

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SUZ_016008

STRUCTURE; SUSPENSION

Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.

N-Q-G-045

EQUIPMENT; SUSPENSION

This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005200—
2004171042.4
2003133055.4
2002Viewing262049.5
2001152043.3

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.