RoadVitals

2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jul 15, 2002

What this page shows

Our database holds 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 26 · page 1 of 2

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
Fuel system
Filed May 18, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10157819
Incident
Apr 4, 2006
Seat belts
Filed May 17, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10157696
Incident
May 15, 2006
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 23, 2005
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
10143565
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
Mileage
8,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 25, 2005
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
10122106
Incident
Apr 27, 2005
Mileage
26,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed May 2, 2005

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.

NHTSA ID
10118825
Incident
Feb 28, 2005
Mileage
42,900 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 12, 2004

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.

NHTSA ID
10086700
Incident
Nov 10, 2002
Mileage
3,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 21, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10068552
Incident
Apr 21, 2004
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 10, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10061879
Incident
Mar 10, 2004
Mileage
21,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 9, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10061649
Incident
Mar 9, 2004
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

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.

NHTSA ID
10070729
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
4,250 mi
ElectricalFuel systemTires & wheels
Filed Nov 29, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10048795
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
2,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 28, 2003

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.

NHTSA ID
10036812
Incident
Aug 28, 2003
EngineTires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Jul 11, 2003

I PURCHASED A VEHICLE IN FEB. 2002 FROM CORPORATE MOTORS DBA SUZUKI OF HAYWARD CA. THROUGH ADDISON AVENUE CREDIT UNION HELD AT HP CORPORATE IN PALO ALTO, CA. ON MAY 17TH 2002 MY NEW SUZUKI XL7-4WD BLEW A HEAD GASKET @ 4,057 MILES. IT WAS TOWED TO THE SAN JOSE BOB LEWIS SUZUKI DEALER. WOULD NOT PROVIDE A CURTSEY LOANER AND DUE TO PARTS NOT IN STOCK IT TOOK THREE WEEKS BEFORE I RECEIVED MY XL7 BACK.ON MAY 15TH 2003, I TOOK IT IN FOR A MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AT SUNNYVALE FOREIGN CAR SERVICE. AT THIS TIME THE MILEAGE WAS 17,956. ALL WENT WELL, BUT WAS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT I GET ALL NEW TIRES SOON, TIRES WORN.ON JULY 2ND THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO SUNNYVALE FOREIGN CAR SERVICE, AND THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THE READING STATED A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VALVE HEAD WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.MONDAY JULY 7TH 2003, TOOK IT TO CORPORATE MOTORS DBA SUZUKI OF HAYWARD. PRIOR BEFORE TAKING, I CHECKED ON RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS @ WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV ON SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL7. PRINTED OUT LISTING AND GAVE A COPY TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ALSO NO CURTSEY LOANER WAS PROVIDED.WINDSHIELD RECALL/SUSPENSION/TIRES AND STEERING/ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.THURSDAY JULY 10, 2003 SPOKE WITH VICTOR FLORES; HE INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE BOTH HEAD GASKETS. THE WORK DONE FROM SAN JOSE BOB LEWIS ON THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON MAY 17TH 2002 DID NOT USE THE NEW REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE TIRES WERE WORN BUT NOT ABLE TO REPLACE THEM. NO MENTION ON WINDSHIELD RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10025920
Incident
May 17, 2002
Mileage
4,057 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 24, 2003

VEHICLE WONDERS LEFT AND RIGHT ON ROAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND THEY PERFORMED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. VEHICLE STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10023688
Incident
Jun 23, 2003
Mileage
8,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 3, 2003

WE PURCHASED 2 NEW SUZUKI'S XL7 2002 WITH BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT687 P235/60/R16. STARTED VIBRATING ALMOST FROM THE START. TERRIBLE PULSING WHEN USING THE BRAKE. HAD TIRES FORCED ROAD BALANCED 3 TIMES. NO CHANGE. 4 WERE REPLACED ON ONE CAR AND ONE ON THE OTHER. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. WE WERE TOLD BY FIRESTONE DEALER THAT IT WAS NOT THE TIRES. HE SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, SUCH AS BRAKES OR SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END. WE HAD AN INDEPENDENT DEALER CHECK ALL THE ABOVE AND COULD ONLY FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. AFTER FEELING LOST, I WROTE FIRESTONE WITH THE COMPLAINT AND FINALLY WAS CONTACTED BY THEM. FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACE ALL 10 TIRES A YEAR LATER WITH WHAT EVER TIRE WE CHOOSE. THEY AGREED TO PAY $80.00 PLUS MOUNTING AND BALANCING TOWARD THE 10 TIRES WE WANTED AFTER SOME ARGUING. THE DUELER 687 EMITTED A LOUD BUMPING WHEN DRIVING AND VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WHEN TIRES THE WERE REMOVED, WE NOTICED CUPPING ON SOME. ALSO NOTICED TIRES WERE NOT ALIKE, SOME WERE STEEL PLUS POLYESTER OTHERS WERE STEEL PLUS POLYESTER PLUS NYLON. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THESE TIRES AT ALL. WE WERE TOLD BY THE CAR DEALER, THAT THESE TIRES WERE DESIGNED FOR THIS SUV.*JB

NHTSA ID
10016954
Incident
Apr 30, 2003
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 2003

THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATED, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF ANTI- FREEZE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VALVE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10009534
Incident
Feb 19, 2003
Mileage
20,100 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 1, 2002

VEHICLE WONDERS LEFT AND RIGHT ON ROAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND THEY PERFORMED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. AT 14000 MILES, ALL FOUR TIRE WERE WOREN OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8015293
Incident
Dec 1, 2001

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .