RoadVitals

2003 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.
13
Latest Mar 2, 2017
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.
3
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 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Brakes531.3%
  • Electrical425.0%
  • Driver assistance318.8%
  • Body & structure16.3%
  • Suspension16.3%
  • Transmission16.3%
  • Visibility16.3%

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

3 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
03V495000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Dec 2, 2003
20,580 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE IGNITION SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS IS ROUTED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE HARNESS CAN RUB AGAINST THE MANIFOLD DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND ABRASION DAMAGE TO THE HARNESS CAN OCCUR.
The risk: DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE A SHORT IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE IGNITION FUSE TO BLOW AND THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR ANY WIRING HARNESS DAMAGE AND WILL ADD ADDITIONAL INSULATION AND A PROTECTOR PLATE TO PREVENT THE WIRING HARNESS FROM BECOMING DAMAGED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number ENView 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 13
Brakes
Filed Mar 2, 2017
Crash reported

THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE AT THE PROPER ELEVATION TO PRESS THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH ONE FOOT. BECAUSE IT IS REAR WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THE CAR SPEEDS UP WHEN THAT HAPPENS. THIS IS A TYPICAL ENGINEERING FLAW THAT HAPPENS WITH MANY VEHICLES ("HE THOUGHT HE WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE WHEN HE RAN INTO THE CROWD OF PEOPLE..."). THE FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES RELEASE WHEN THE REAR WHEELS WANT TO KEEP TURNING. WITH REGULAR BRAKES, ONE CAN STILL OVERCOME THE FORCE OF THE ENGINE AND STOP A CAR. I RAN INTO A HOUSE TRAILER BECAUSE OF THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE! THE PROBLEM CAN BE ENGINEERED OUT. I HAVE NOT YET FOUND A WAY TO DISSEMINATE THIS INFORMATION TO ANY NATIONAL SAFETY COMMITTEE. IT IS PROBABLY A COMMON PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WHO USE ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER FOOT ON THE GAS.

NHTSA ID
10958253
Incident
Oct 22, 2005
Mileage
15,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 3, 2010

I HAD BOUGHT A USED SUZUKI AUTO FROM ENTERPRISE RENTAL CARS. IN MID-JUNE 2005 I WAS RETURNING TO PHILA. ON I-95 AFTER TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO CAMP IN MASSACHUSETTS. JUST OUTSIDE DARIEN, CONN. ALL THE POWER ON THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. AN 18-WHEELER WAS BARRELING DOWN ON ME IN THE CENTER LANE BUT FORTUNATELY FOR ME THE LANE TO MY RIGHT WAS EMPTY AND THE SHOULDER WAS WIDE ENOUGH FOR ME TO PULL OVER. AFTER SPENDING THE NIGHT IN DARIEN AND HAVING A REPAIR SHOP TOW THE CAR, THE MECHANIC SAID THERE HAD BEEN A BLOWN FUSE. HE REPLACED THE FUSE AND GAVE ME A SPARE AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REPLACE IT IF I NEEDED TO ON MY WAY HOME. AFTER I GOT BACK TO PHILA., I TOOK THE CAR TO MY NEAREST SUZUKI DEALER. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM WHICH HE SAID WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THAT ENTERPRISE HAD NEVER TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM, BY THE WAY, WAS THAT A WIRES RUBBER COATING HAD BEEN ABRADED DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST THE CHASSIS OF THE CAR. ONCE THE WIRE WAS EXPOSED, ITS TOUCHING THE METAL FRAME CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (INCLUDING THE ACCELERATOR) TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I DON'T FAULT SUZUKI BUT RATHER ENTERPRISE CAR RENTALS FOR NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE SERVICED BY SUZUKI WHEN THEY WERE GIVEN THE RECALL NOTICE AND THEN SELLING IT TO ME WITHOUT TELLING ME ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECALL OR WHAT THEY DID ABOUT THE RECALL.. AFTER I GOT BACK TO PHILA., I TOOK THE CAR TO MY NEAREST SUZUKI DEALER. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM WHICH HE SAID WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THAT ENTERPRISE HAD NEVER TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM, BY THE WAY, WAS THAT A WIRES RUBBER COATING HAD BEEN ABRADED DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST THE CHASSIS OF THE CAR. ONCE THE WIRE WAS EXPOSED, ITS TOUCHING THE METAL FRAME CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (INCLUDING THE ACCELERATOR) TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10353728
Incident
Jun 16, 2005
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 17, 2009

GAS DOOR HINGES RUST AND BREAK CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10274101
Incident
Jul 20, 2007
Mileage
97,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2008

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM THE PARK IT WAS RAINING A LITTLE BIT SUDDENLY MY STEERING WHEEL STAR GOING THE LEFT, I HIT THE BRAKE AND THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR FALL DOWN AND THE CAR STOP COMPLETELY, I CHECK THE WHEEL AND IT WAS ABOUT TO COME OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10214784
Incident
Oct 17, 2007
Mileage
33,800 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jun 3, 2005

DT: THE BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING, AND THE TECHNICIAN CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND WERE STILL SQUEAKING. THE FRONT SHOCKS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE REAR SHOCKS NOT WORKING WELL, AND THIS WAS NORMAL. AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) WAS NOT COOLING. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE ANYMORE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10124086
Incident
Mar 22, 2003
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 12, 2004
Crash reported

PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ACCELERATING BACKWARDS WHEN TRYING TO PARK. *MR THE VEHICLE HIT A STEEL BEAM. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. (SUZUKI XL 7) *SC THE C ONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED FOR A RECALL REGARDING THE ACCELRATOR CABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10089125
Incident
Jun 15, 2004
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 11, 2004

FAILURE ON BRAKES, ACCELERATOR, ALARM, LIGHTS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE CARPET. *MR THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR WERE RECALLED. THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ALARMED FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ABOUT TEN TIMES IN REFERENCE TO THE ALARM. THE DOOR AJAR CHIME DID NOT WORK. THE CARPET WAS LOOSE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT TWO MONTHS BEFORE IT WAS FIXED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10073461
Electrical
Filed Mar 23, 2004

BASED ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT GETTING THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED, THE CONSUMER WANT THE WORK DONE OR ANOTHER SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. *PH PROBLEMS WITH ALARM SYSTEM AS WELL AS VEHICLE CUTTING OFF AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *MR

NHTSA ID
10065072

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.

040700

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

INFORMATION REGARDING A PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANICAL PART OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON CL VEHICLES AFTER THE FOLLOWING VIN: 1998 3.0 CL, 19UYA2--WL004819, 1998 2.3 CL, 19UYA--WL005233 OR ANY 1999 CL. *MR

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
2003Viewing133055.4
2002262049.5
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.