RoadVitals

1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
16
Latest Sep 29, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
15%
of 108 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 2017

BRAKE LINE ROTTED AWAY ALL BRAKES AND FLUID LOST

NHTSA ID
11030588
Incident
Sep 5, 2017
Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKE ADJUSTMENT PIN IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE SPRING THAT HELD THE WHEEL IN PLACE FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED IT TO MOVE FREELY INSIDE THE BRAKE DRUM. THE SPRING FLIPPED UP AND CAUSED THE BRAKE SHOE, DRUM, AND BRAKING KIT TO FAIL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, AAMCO INSPECTED THE REAR AND FRONT BRAKES AND STATED THAT THEY WERE 50% WORN. THE CONTACT PLACED THE WHEEL BACK ON THE VEHICLE AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY SIX BLOCKS WHEN HE HEARD THE NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO AAMCO BECAUSE THE GRINDING NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD. AAMCO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE INSPECTION. THE CONTACT CALLED SUZUKI'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE TO FIND OUT IF THE FAILURE WAS COMMON. SUZUKI STATED THAT NO ONE COULD TALK TO THEIR TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT UNLESS THEY WERE A DEALER. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE SUZUKI DEALER SO THAT THEY COULD CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 31,734.

NHTSA ID
10216603
Incident
Jan 30, 2008
Mileage
31,734 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2008

WHEN I BRAKE MY CAR PULLS TO ONE SIDE AND LOSES CONTROL. IT IS LIKE IT IS ON ICE AND ONE TIME IT SPUN AROUND, EVEN THOUGHT I WAS GOING SLOW. MY CAR IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10214831
Incident
Nov 10, 2007
Body & structureBrakesEngine+2 more
Filed Dec 23, 2004

RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUZUKI RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE 4 OXYGEN SENSORS. *BF THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE GEAR WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT, IT WAS DISCOVERED YEARS LATER THAT IT WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD EMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS FOR TWO PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE CAME BACK WITH UNRELATED PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE BRAKES WHICH THE DEALER STATED NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED, THE FRONT BUMPER WAS HANGING OFF AND WAS MISSING THE SECURING BOLTS, THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY HEAD LIGHTS, IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DETERMINED BY AN ELECTRICAL REPAIR SPECIALIST THAT THE HEAD LIGHT RELAY WAS INTERNALLY DAMAGED, THE CONSUMER STATED THE WAS ALSO AN UNIDENTIFIABLE FUEL LEAK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10109353
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
Brakes
Filed Jan 21, 2004

BRAKES PRODUCE A GRINDING NOISE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10055563
Incident
Jan 12, 2004
Mileage
40,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 9, 2004

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IT WAS TRAVELING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES, AND EACH TIME CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SHAKING. ONCE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER, MECHANIC DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE CALIPERS WERE STICKING AT THE TIME OF ACCELERATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10053773
Incident
Jan 9, 2004
Brakes
Filed Apr 29, 2002
Crash reported

CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AT 25-30 MPH, NOT A PANIC STOP, BRAKE LOCKED UP ,AND VEHICLE SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES. VEHICLE HIT THE CURB. DEALER REPLACED HUB ASSEMBLY/ KNUCKLE JOINTS/ FRONT ASSEMBLY, AND FRONT STABILIZER. DAMAGE WAS $ 3000-4000. *AK

NHTSA ID
8008738
Incident
Mar 3, 2002
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 27, 2001

DIFFERENTIAL UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH SINCE LAST REPLACEMENT, AND A 3RD REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED ALONG WITH A DRIVESHAFT REPLACEMENT. DEALER HAS RECOGNIZED DEFECT, BUT HAS NOT PROVIDED ACCURATE REMEDY.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HOWLING/WHISTLING NOISE FROM THE REAR AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 AND 65, AFTER THE FIRST REPLACEMENT THERE WAS HEAVY VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, ANOTHER REPLACEMENT AND STILL NO REMEDY MADE, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY AND DRIVESHAFT. LATCH BROKE OFF OF THE AIR FILTER BOX, DEALER REPLACED THE FILTER BOX. CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE PEDAL SQUEAKS WHEN BEING RELEASED FAST. *SLC

NHTSA ID
895262
Incident
Jul 21, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 2001

BRAKES WOULD BE MAKING GRINDING/SQUEALING & CLICKING NOISES WHEN APPLIED. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP THAT BRAKES WERE DIRTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED/CLEANED. ALSO, THEY WERE NON-ABESTOS. NOTHING ELSE WAS DONE TO BRAKES.*AK

NHTSA ID
892394
Brakes
Filed Jan 26, 2001

DIFFICULTY WHEN BRAKING ON WET PAYMENT. TRUCK MAKES LOUD GRINDING SOUND AS IF THE ENGINE IS GOING TO FALL OUT, PLUS YOU CAN FEEL THE VIBRATION WHILE FOOT IS ON THE PEDAL. STARTING TO OCCUR FREQUENTLY, MOSTLY NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING DOWNHILL. TRUCK SEEMS TO BE DRIFTING MORE AFTER YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES TO STOP WHICH CAUSE ME TO FEEL LIKE I'M AT RISK OF CRASHING INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURY MYSELF AND/OR PASSENGERS (ESPECIALLY MY TWO TODDLES). VERY INTERESTED TO KNOW IF THE FIRST YEAR MODEL OF THIS NEW TYPE OF TRUCK IS CONSIDERED TO BE A RECALL. CONSIDERING THAT I EXPERIENCE THIS INCIDENT MOSTLY WHEN IT RAINS OR DURING SLIPPERY PAVEMENT, I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE ARE NOT REPORTS OR HISTORY OF THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT. I TRULY FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND NOTIFY ME OF ANY FINDINGS, POSSIBLY BY MAY 2001 OR SOONER. I'M HOPING TO TRADE IT IN ON MY SECOND ANNIVERSARY DATE. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.*AK

NHTSA ID
739980
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Dec 14, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH ON INTERSTATE AND THERE WAS SNOW ON GROUND. ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BECAUSE OTHER VEHICLE HAD LOST CONTROL. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND TURNED WHEEL TO LEFT. TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER HYDROPLANED, AND VEHICLE HIT MERIDIAN STRIP HARD. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
876542
Incident
Dec 13, 2000
Brakes
Filed Aug 26, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

I FIRST REPORTED THIS PROBLEM LAST YEAR. SOMETHING WAS CAUSING INTERMITTENT SEVERE VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH AT APPROX. 12:30AM WHEN THIS OCCURED AGAIN AND I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY FOOT WAS DISLODGED FROM THE BRAKE BY VIBRATION. THE FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE WAS TRANSFERED TO THE ACCELERATOR WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I SLAMMED INTO A SOLID ROCK LEDGE AND RECEIVED INJURIES TO MY BACK AND NECK. BOTH OF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE OFFICERS ON THE SCENE COMMENTED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE VIBRATION PROBLEM WITH NO RESULTS. THEIR ANSWER HAS BEEN TO BALANCE THE TIRES OVER AND OVER, ALTHOUGH THEY DID SUPPOSEDLY REPLACE THE BODY BUSHINGS. STILL NO RESULTS. NOW I HAVE A WRECKED VEHICLE AND A MESSED UP BACK TO SHOW FOR MY $20,000 DOLLAR INVESTMENT.

NHTSA ID
729135
Incident
Aug 25, 2000
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed Feb 22, 2000
Crash reported

TIRES ARE TOO SMALL AND TREAD IS INADEQUATE FOR INCLEMENT DRIVING CONDITIONS, BRAKES LOCK UP TOO QUICKLY, CAUSING THE FRONT END TO DIP FOWARD, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: DMA518 TIRE SIZE: P235/R16 )

NHTSA ID
719087
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
Brakes
Filed Feb 7, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING BRAKE INICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PROBLEM, BUT IT RETURNED. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMTON. *AK

NHTSA ID
856343
Brakes
Filed Feb 7, 2000

BRAKE LIGHT WOULD FLASH WITHOUT INDICATION. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PROBLEMAND IT RETURNED. CAN'T DUPLICATE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON.*AK

NHTSA ID
856341
BrakesHeating & air conditioningPowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Nov 23, 1999

THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVESHAFT,DIFFERENTIAL,ALL FOUR TIRES,TURN DRUMS & ROTORS AND THE CAR STILL VIBRATES

NHTSA ID
715193
Incident
Sep 14, 1999

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .