RoadVitals

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
29
Latest Nov 14, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Fuel system411.1%
  • Body & structure25.6%
  • Tires & wheels25.6%
  • Visibility25.6%
  • Interior & seats12.8%
  • Engine12.8%
  • Airbags12.8%
  • Exterior lighting12.8%
  • Powertrain (other)12.8%
  • Seat belts12.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 7, 2011

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 · filed Nov 5, 2004
All 12 reports naming driver assistance

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL

NHTSA ID 11151386 · filed Nov 14, 2018

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 · filed Jul 23, 2008
All 8 reports naming electrical

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL

NHTSA ID 11151386 · filed Nov 14, 2018

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 · filed Jul 21, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 22, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AIR COMING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ALL WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL CAME ON AND WENT OFF BY THEMSELVES. THIS IS A HAZARD TO THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. THIS WAS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID 10044680 · filed Oct 24, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 22, 2004

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

NHTSA ID 10063470 · filed Mar 18, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 4, 2004

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 · filed Jun 10, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10358473 · filed Sep 30, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN WARMING OUT, CAR SOMETIMES SURGES AND CUTS OUT CAUSING CAR TO NOT BE STEERED OR TO STOP. IT ALSO SOMETIMES WILL NOT START. *LA

NHTSA ID 10047699 · filed Nov 27, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 8, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 SUZUKI VITARA. WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE OR DEEP SHADOW, THE NIGHT-TIME LIGHTS COME ON AND DO NOT CHANGE TO DAY-TIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHEN MOVED INTO SUNLIGHT UNLESS THE IGNITION IS FIRST TURNED OFF. WHEN THE DAY-TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE ON IF DRIVEN THROUGH DEEP SHADOW OR TO THE NORTH (SHADING THE SENSOR) THE NIGHT-TIME LIGHTS COME ON AS WELL AS THE TAIL LIGHTS CAUSING DRIVERS BEHIND ME TO BRAKE. ON TWO OCCAISIONS THE DRIVERS OF THE FOLLOWING CAR HAVE MADE THREATENING GESTURES TO ME. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SAUGHT HELP FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE ANOTHER CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 10053077 · filed Jan 13, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 7, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 10, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .