SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2002 Suzuki Xl-7
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Xl-7, most frequently naming the driver assistance, engine and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| Feb 2004 | 2 | 3 |
| Mar 2004 | 3 | 6 |
| Apr 2004 | 2 | 8 |
| Jun 2004 | 1 | 9 |
| Jul 2004 | 1 | 10 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 11 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 12 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 13 |
| May 2005 | 3 | 16 |
| Jun 2005 | 3 | 19 |
| Oct 2005 | 1 | 20 |
| Nov 2005 | 1 | 21 |
| Dec 2005 | 1 | 22 |
| Jul 2008 | 1 | 23 |
| Sep 2008 | 1 | 24 |
| Nov 2008 | 1 | 25 |
| May 2009 | 1 | 26 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 27 |
| Aug 2009 | 1 | 28 |
| Jan 2010 | 1 | 29 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 30 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 31 |
| Oct 2011 | 1 | 32 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 33 |
| Oct 2012 | 1 | 34 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 35 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance717.1%
- Engine717.1%
- Steering49.8%
- Brakes49.8%
- Powertrain (other)37.3%
- Tires & wheels37.3%
- Electrical24.9%
- Fuel system24.9%
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
2 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.govVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THIS 2002 SUZUKI XL7 LIMITED STARTED TO HAVE TOUCHY STEERING AT 55 MPH AND UP. IT IS SO SENSITIVE THAT IT CAN EVEN CHANGE LANES. WHEN THE STEERING ACTS UP THE WHOLE VEHICLE VIBRATES. I HAD NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT AND CHECKED FOR ANY SLACK IN ANYTHING UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IT CHECKED OUT GOOD. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THE PEOPLE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND OTHER PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10648401
- Incident
- Oct 7, 2014
- Mileage
- 115,420 mi
AC COMPRESSOR WENT OUT TWICE IN MY 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. ONCE IN AUGUST 2009 AND AGAIN IN MAY 2012. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE IT WAS A PRETTY HOT SUMMER. IT ASSUME IF THE CAR LAST ANOTHER FEW YEARS, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. HOW ANNOYING! ALSO, AFTER THE SUMMER MONTHS, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN I NEED TO TURN ON THE HEAT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I GOT THIS TESTED AND IT HAD TO DO WITH THE AC COMPRESSOR. THIS MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THE XL-7 COMPRESSOR IS DUAL. IT'S RUNS AC AND HEAT. POWER STEERING HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR THE PAST YEAR. I WOULD ADD POWER STEERING FLUID EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SO. BUT NOW IT'S PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I HAVE TO ADD FLUID EVERY OTHER DAY. FRONT AND BACK BUMPER IS DISPLAYING CORROSION. IT LOOKS LIKE THE METAL HINGES THAT HOLD UP THE BUMPERS ARE WEARING AND YOU CAN SEE IT. THIS CAR WAS NOT BUILT TO LAST. I FORESEE MANY MORE ISSUES. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10479723
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2009
- Mileage
- 80,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AS THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER BEING BROKEN DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10459408
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2012
- Mileage
- 137,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITH A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ADVISED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10429656
- Incident
- Jan 6, 2009
CONDENSATION FROM VEHICLES AIR CONDITIONING DRIPS ONTO THE INSULATION AROUND BRAKE LINE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT BRAKE LINE FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT. LIVING IN TEXAS THE VEHICLE RARELY IS TURNED ON WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE CONTINUED SATURATION, DRYING AND VIBRATION OF NORMAL DAY TO DAY USE CAUSED A LEAK IN ONE OF THE TWO BRAKE LINES LEADING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER OWNER REPORTED SPONGY FEELING AND LOSS OF BRAKE HOLDING STRENGTH WHILE IN STOPPED POSITION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED BOTH BRAKE LINES BEHIND PROTECTIVE INSULATION HAS SEVER OXIDATION CLOSEST TO THE ENDS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO AN ADAPTER. FIX THAT I EMPLOYED WAS TO BYPASS THE EXTENSION THAT RAN FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE, ENTERED THE INSULATED EXTENSION AND THEN ENTERED THE ADAPTER THEN INTO THE REAR BRAKE LINES. I WAS ABLE TO BYPASS ALL THE UNNEEDED JOINTS WITH 2 48 BRAKE LINES AND 2 COUPLINGS BOUGHT FROM LOCAL AUTO PARTS AND REROUTED LINE FROM DRIVER SIDE DOWN ACROSS REAR SIDE OF UNDERCARRIAGE THEN DIRECTLY INTO REAR BRAKE LINE. THE A/C NO LONGER DRIPS ONTO THE BRAKE LINE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10380351
- Incident
- Apr 11, 2010
- Mileage
- 105,000 mi
2002 SUZUKI XL7 A/C COMPRESSOR. WHILE DRIVING AT 65-70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP AND SNAPPED THE BELT CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO STOP WORKING AND THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. I PAID 1200 TO HAVE IT FIXED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. NOW THE NEW ONE IS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I LOOKED ON MESSAGE BOARDS AND SEE THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM ON THESE CARS FOR HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10361496
- Incident
- Jun 10, 2008
- Mileage
- 47,000 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE DEFROST ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COST SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10300427
- Incident
- Jan 7, 2005
- Mileage
- 35,000 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND WAS RELATED AFTER THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,630.
- NHTSA ID
- 10281002
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2009
- Mileage
- 112,630 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
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.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN THE STEPS NEEDED TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE UNWANTED OR PHANTOM PHONE CALLS. TECHNICIAN WILL NEED TO DETERMINE WHAT TYPE OF CALL THE CUSTOMER IS HAVING THAT IS UNWANTED. THE VEHICLE MAY RECEIVE AN INCOMING CALL JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PHONE. TYPICALLY THE CUSTOMER WILL HEAR THE PHONE RINGING IN THE VEHICLE. THIS SCENARIO ALSO INCLUDES INCOMING BLUETOOTH CALLS. ONE TYPE OF UNWANTED CALL CAN BE MADE IF THE KEY PAD IS FAULTY THE ONSTAR SYSTEM WILL TRY TO MAKE A BLUE BUTTON CALL FOR SHORTED VOLTAGE IN THE CIRCUITS. THE ONSTAR MODULE COULD HAVE AN INTERNAL FAULT AND PRODUCE A PHONE UNAVAILABLE AUDIO MESSAGE ALSO IT MAY HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE U1500 OR B1000. REFER TO DIAGNOSTICS FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE MAKING SURE TO FOLLOW ANY APPLICABLE BULLETINS OR PRELIMINARY INFORMATION SHEETS. A GREADYH OR GONSTAR READYH AUDIO MESSAGE HEARD WHILE DRIVING. IN SOME CASES IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE CUSTOMER IS INADVERTENTLY PRESSING THE PUSH TO TALK BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS. ON RARE OCCASIONS, OTHER ISSUES IN THE STEERING COLUMN OR STEERING WHEEL CONTROL SYSTEM MAY INDUCE THIS CONCERN.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL LEAKING FROM LEFT FRONT OF ENGINE. *TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MODIFICATION OF MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE AND THE BEARING SELECTION PROCEDURE. 1999-2005 SUZUKI VITARA SQ420/SQ625L, GRAND VITARA SQ625W, AND XL-7 JA627 *SC
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
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.