RoadVitals

2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara

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.
47
Latest Jan 2, 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.
4
Latest Oct 5, 2005
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.
10
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 47 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and seat belts categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 12 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

  • Driver assistance1626.2%
  • Brakes1016.4%
  • Seat belts58.2%
  • Fuel system58.2%
  • Suspension46.6%
  • Electrical34.9%
  • Tires & wheels34.9%
  • Body & structure34.9%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
05V452000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Oct 5, 2005
801 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH WHEELS, THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS MAY BREAK UNDER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR IN CONDITIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS ON EXTREMELY STEEP PAVED DOWN-SLOPES WHILE CONTINUOUSLY APPLYING THE BRAKES.
The risk: THE FRONT BRAKES MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE MAY PULL TO ONE SIDE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005. THESE VEHICLES ARE LOCATED ON ST. THOMAS ISLAND (VIRGIN ISLANDS). OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI DEL CARIBE AT 787-622-0600.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number 99-HQView 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
03V512000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

Dec 5, 2003
196,876 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FIREWALL CAN CRACK DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO FORCES FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND INSUFFICIENT LONG-TERM DURABILITY OF THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. IF THE CASING CAP BECOMES CRACKED, MOVEMENT OF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE THROUGH THE CAP CAN CAUSE THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE TO BECOME FRAYED.
The risk: IF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE BECOMES FRAYED, IT CAN STICK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THE CASE WHERE AN ACCELERATOR CABLE STICKS, THE DRIVER COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING VEHICLE SPEED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, WHICH INCLUDES THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number EMView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 47
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jan 2, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO A BRIDGE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM A STOP SIGN, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING A CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND HER BODY LUNGED FORWARD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (NUMBER 19005490). THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN BY AN AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR HER MULTIPLE INJURIES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN STERNUM AND MULTIPLE TEETH, INJURED HER CHEST WALL, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT KNEES AND NECK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD SUFFERED FROM PNEUMONIA AND WAS SEEKING TREATMENT BY A NEUROLOGIST AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HER LEFT KNEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO UNKNOWN LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID
11296613
Incident
Dec 4, 2019
Mileage
82,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 22, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AT A STOP WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD BEGIN TO REV WITH THE RPM LEVELS VIGOROUSLY FLUCTUATING. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SINCE JUNE 2009. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,330. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

NHTSA ID
10312651
Incident
Jun 21, 2009
Mileage
54,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 10, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. UNTIL RECENTLY, THE CONTACT HAS NEVER USED THE TIGER PAW SPARE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, A TIRE BLEW OUT WITH A LOUD POP. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD TO SAFETY. THE FENDER WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE TIRE AND HOW IT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES EXCEEDED 200,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10248323
Incident
Nov 10, 2008
Mileage
200,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 2007
Crash reported

2002 SUZUKI VITARA WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO REVERSE WITH NO HELP FROM THE DRIVER AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL LOCK UP AND NOT GO INTO REVERSE. SHE ALSO STATES THAT IT HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10210568
Incident
Feb 13, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 22, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA (LIMITED 4WD) WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. IT WAS A HILLY STRETCH OF HIGHWAY NEAR PITTSVILLE, MO AND THERE WAS A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW JUST STARTING TO FALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL MADE THE CAR JUMP INTO A LOWER GEAR WHEN ASCENDING A HILL TO KEEP IT AT 55 MPH. THE RPM'S JUMPED FROM ABOUT 2,000 TO 5,000 WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 3RD GEAR - WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION AND I WRECKED INTO 2 HIGHWAY SIGN POSTS AND SKIDDED SIDEWAYS ABOUT 50 YARDS INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDN'T ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES. IT COST ME $5,000 IN COLLISION DAMAGE TO FIX THE CAR. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES THIS ALL THE TIME STILL WHEN EVEN ON MODERATE HILLS TO KEEP UP WITH THE SET MPH. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW IN MY OPINION. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT NEEDED TO JUMP UP TO OVER 5,000 RPM'S JUST TO GO 65 MPH AND STAY UP WITH THE SET CRUISE SPEED. THANKS. DWS *TR

NHTSA ID
10200466
Incident
Jan 31, 2007
Mileage
52,500 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 3, 2006

I AM WRITING ABOUT THE SEAT BELTS IN MY 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP AND DOESN'T ALLOW THE PERSON WEARING IT TO MOVE. I FIND IT VERY ANNOYING AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE AS WHOEVER IS IN THAT SEAT USUALLY ENDS UP UNBUCKLING IT AND NOT PUTTING IT BACK ON. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IN THE REAR SEATS, ALTHOUGH IT ISN'T AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM AS I GENERALLY DON'T HAVE REAR PASSENGERS. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BOTH FRONT BELTS NOT RETRACTING FULLY WHEN WE EXIT THE VEHICLE, I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, BUT REPLACING THE RETRACTOR WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE AND I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT AS SEAT BELTS SHOULD LAST LONGER THEN A FEW YEARS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10149408
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Seat belts
Filed Nov 29, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK . HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB

NHTSA ID
10143880
Incident
Nov 28, 2005
Mileage
58,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Oct 26, 2005

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER 2002 GRAND VITARA AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED. *TS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

NHTSA ID
10142141
Incident
Oct 1, 2005

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.

0502244

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

REVISED REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT. *TT

0602244R2

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL LEAKING FROM LEFT FRONT OF ENGINE. *TT

0704213R

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LOUD CHAIN RATTLING NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT OF ENGINE BEHIND THE TIMING COVER. *TT

0903143

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL LEVEL READS AT LOW MARK ON OIL LEVEL DIP STICK. 1999 - 2003 VITARA/GRAND VITARA/XL-7. *TT

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013420—
2012132057.5
2011114152.4
2010205146.0
2009144144.6
2008422152.9
2007583149.1
20061616158.0
2005110—
2004820—
2003294046.8
2002Viewing474055.1
2001386056.4
2000855052.6
19991085054.6

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.