2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara Owner Complaints

SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL

NHTSA ID

11151386

Incident

Nov 3, 2018

Mileage

186,789 mi

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO AN EXISTING RECALL ON MY 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING TWO DAYS AGO, THE THROTTLE CABLE BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I WAS ULTIMATELY ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. AFTERWARD, I DISCOVERED AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM THE SUZUKI DEALER IN 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JANUARY 9, 2004, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2003. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR SUZUKI TO HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. SUZUKI'S NEGLIGENCE PUT ME IN GREAT DANGER AND RESULTED IN TOWING AND OTHER COSTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL WAS PROPERLY HANDLED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI MOTORS OF AMERICA TO DESCRIBE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE ONLY OFFER IT TO FIX THE RECALL ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR ERROR IN SELLING THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL, NOR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADDITIONAL COSTS I'VE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10410869

Incident

Jul 5, 2011

Mileage

98,000 mi

MY GAS COVER FELL OFF MY CAR DO TO THE LATCH HOLDING IT ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10358473

Incident

Nov 1, 2009

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS GROUNDING OUT AGAINST THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE CURRENT RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY OF THE FAILURES NOTED IN THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10235550

Incident

Jul 23, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING FUEL LOSS IN THE IGNITION SOURCE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL WAS NOT ENTERING THE IGNITION, CAUSING A NO-START CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS SAME FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED IF THE FAILURE IS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HER HOME AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

NHTSA ID

10235107

Incident

Jun 25, 2008

Mileage

64,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER ANY CONDITIONS OR SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. AFTERWARDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IT US UNABLE TO BE PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION UNTIL THE FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS THE PROBLEM HOWEVER IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT REPAIRS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10157877

Incident

May 18, 2006

Mileage

48,400 mi

DT: CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 6-19-05. SOMEONE HIT HER. THE CAR TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND LANDED ON ITS TOP. THE PERSON WHO HIT HER WAS GOING APPROX. 70 MPH WHEN SHE CAME ACROSS THE LANE OF TRAFFIC AND HIT HER. SHE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE FEELS THAT BECAUSE THE CAR FLIPPED OVER, THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. SHE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10127888

Incident

Jun 19, 2005

Mileage

15,100 mi

BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE USAGE, THE REAR RIGHT SEAT BELT SHREDDED IN HALF. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA ID

10114904

Incident

Feb 10, 2005

Mileage

50,000 mi

CONTINUALLY UPON STARTING VEHICLE, GO INSIDE AND CAME BACK OUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONSUMER HAD TO FILE FOR BANKRUPCY AND VOLUNTARY REPO BECAUSE HE COULD NOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FROM STATE TO STATE TO BE SERVICED. CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V427000 *TC

NHTSA ID

10103163

Incident

Dec 1, 2004

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7. EVERYTIME THE CONSUMER CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THEY WERE WAITING ON THE PARTS. *TC *JB

NHTSA ID

10101062

Incident

Nov 1, 2004

8/14/03 - 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, [XXX], PURCHASED AT SUZUKI OF DES MOINES, PO BOX 13377, DES MOINES IA 50310, 515-270-5800. 1/13/04 - RECEIVED RECALL LETTER REGARDING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP. 1/17/04 - HAD CAR REPAIRED. 9/9/04 - HEADLIGHTS ON AT END OF DAY WHEN LEAVING WORK AND BATTERY DEAD. JUMP-STARTED CAR AND TOOK TO DEALER; NOTICE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. 9/21/04 - CAR FINALLY FIXED. INVOICE STATES: DRL LIGHTS STAY ON PULLED INSIDE AND FOUND LIGHT DO NOT TURN OFF BUT MARKER LIGHTS NOT ON ALSO NOTICED BCM FLASHING CLOCK HOOKED UP TECH 2 AND FOUND CODE P1121 LOOKED UP CODE IN BOOK AND RUN TEST HAD TO REMOVE BCM FROM DASH TO INSPECT ECT WIRING RUN TEST AND BCM APPEARS TO BE OK BUT FOUND WIRE NOT GIVING PROPER READING DISCONNECT RELAY AND LIGHT STILL ON DISCONNECT HIGH BEAM RELAY AND LIGHTS GO OFF CHECKED AND FOUND HIGH/LOW SWITCH BURNT ORDERED PARTS REMOVED SWITCH TO REPLACE AND FOUND WIRE CONNECTOR IS BURNT EXTREMELY BAD HAD TO ORDER WIRE LOOM TO MAKE REPAIR USED CONNECTOR FROM NEW LOOM TO REPAIR SEPARATED MOST PINS HAD TO SOLDER IN 4 WIRES AND SECURE RE ASSEMBLED AND TEST WORKING FINE NOW." 10/4/04 - RECEIVED RECALL LETTER: "MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. 10/8/04 - HAD CAR FIXED. INVOICE STATES: SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TO FIX TIMING COVER WHICH IS LEAKING. 10/9/04 - NHTSA OFFICE WEB SITE HAS RECALL I HAVENT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT AND NEED TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T INVOLVE MY VEHICLE: WINDSHIELD. *NM UPDATED 07/27/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

10095586

Incident

Sep 9, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V512000 CONCERNING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP. IT HAS BEEN TEN MONTHS AND THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10095025

Incident

Jan 9, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V223000 CONCERNING FMVSS 212 WINDSHIELD MOUNTING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SIX MONTHS AGO FOR RECALL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10095024

Incident

Feb 10, 2004

ORIGINAL GOODYEAR TIRES NEEDED REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THEM. CALLED DEALER TO COMPLAIN AND THEY SAID IF WE GOT 15,000 MILES OUT OF THEM WE WERE DOING GOOD! FOR A VEHICLE THAT COSTS OVER $20,000 I CERTAINLY EXPECTED A BETTER QUALITY TIRE! *JB

NHTSA ID

10082439

Incident

Jul 10, 2004

REAR DOOR TRIM HAS PEELED BACK AND SNAPPED OFF. DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY, THREE MONTHS LATER IT IS SNAPPED OFF AGAIN. BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND BOTH SIDES HAVE BROKEN AGAIN. DEALER IS SLOW IN ORDERING AND RECEIVING REPLACEMENT PARTS, EVEN SLOWER SCHEDULING A TIME TO REPAIR. DEALER FELT THAT "TAPING IT DOWN WITH BLACK TAPE WAS SUFFICIENT UNTIL THE PARTS COME IN." IT HAS BEEN OVER SIX MONTHS SINCE THE PASSENGER REAR TRIM HAS BEEN ORDERED. MEANWHILE, I AM DRIVING AROUND IN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE HOLDING DOWN THE TRIM. *JB

NHTSA ID

10082436

Incident

Jun 1, 2004

E-MAIL FWD FM WEBMASTER REQUEST ALL RESEARCH MATERIALS RE 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 03V512000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES, ES HAVE NO RECORD OF PREVIOUS. *MR *NM

NHTSA ID

10081893

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

RECALL SEARCH REQUEST REGARDING 2003 GRAND VITARA.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUEST INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2003 GRAND VITARA RECALL REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES (03V512000). *NM

NHTSA ID

10081924

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

E-MAIL FM WEBMASTER REQUEST ALL RESEARCH MATERIALS RE 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, NHTSA CAMPAIGN 1D 03V512000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES.*MR *NM

NHTSA ID

10080105

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM DEALER. HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE PARTS TO NO AVAIL. I AM WORRIED FOR MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY FAMILY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING FUNNY NOISES AND THE ACCELERATOR SEEMS FAST. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ID

10075149

Incident

Mar 1, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V512000 IN JANUARY 2004 REGARDING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FIREWALL WHICH COULD CRACK DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO FORCES FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, AND INSUFFICIENT LONG TERM DURABILITY OF THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO CALL MANUFACTURER AND TELL HIM TO HURRY UP WITH PARTS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10071734

Incident

Apr 28, 2004

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CASIN CAP. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT THE RECALL. THE PUERTO RICO, SECRETARY OF JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AGENCY KNOWING AS "DACO" TOLD THE CONSUMER TO CALL NHTSA. *JB

NHTSA ID

10064803

Incident

Mar 24, 2004

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CASIN CAP. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT THE RECALL. NO DEALERSHIP IN PUERTO RICO ISLAND HAD THE PART ON RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10064798

Incident

Mar 24, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V512000 REGARDING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FIREWALL WHICH COULD CRACK DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO FORCES FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, AND INSUFFICIENT LONG TERM DURABILITY OF THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10064716

Incident

Mar 23, 2004

CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE SIDEWALL SHREDDED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10063470

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER LAST WEEK CONCERNING THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND IT WAS THE CONSUMER'S CHOICE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS OR PARK IT. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER THAT WAS 40 MILES AWAY TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10051917

Incident

Dec 22, 2003