2002 Suzuki Xl-7 Owner Complaints

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DOWNHILL ON PAVED ROADS, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V452000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 6/18/09 *CN UPDATED 06/22/09*JB

NHTSA ID

10272750

Incident

May 4, 2008

Mileage

68,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND. THE AIR CONDITIONING SHUT OFF AND SHE EXITED OFF THE INTERSTATE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO TURN PROPERLY. SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE TO A SERVICE STATION AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN THE POWER STEERING. SHE PURCHASED FLUID, BUT ANOTHER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BELT FAILED. THE CONTACT WENT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND A MECHANIC REPLACED THE BELT. SHE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $2,500. SHE WENT TO AN AUTO SERVICE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DISABLED THE AIR CONDITIONING MECHANISM BECAUSE IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SAFETY HAZARD, IF ACTIVATED. THE COMPRESSOR HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

NHTSA ID

10268646

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

Mileage

59,000 mi

I HAVE A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7 AND IN JAN 2005 NEWBURGH SUZUKI HAD TO REPLACE THE A/C COMPRESSOR BECAUSE LOCKED UP. VEH ONLY HAD 13,247 MILES ON IT. NOW AGAIN NOV 2008 VEH ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT COMPRESSOR IS STARTING TO LOCK UP AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10249614

Incident

Nov 23, 2008

Mileage

38,000 mi

NO EVENT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE OF THE COMPRESSOR IT JUST STARTED TO SQUEAL ONE DAY. THE FAILURE HAPPENED IN ABOUT MARCH IN MY SUZUKI XL-7 2002 WHEN I TRIED TO TURN ON THE HEAT AND THE FAN WOULD NOT PUMP OUT THE HEAT AND IT MADE A LOAD SQUEALING NOISE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE COMPRESSOR WENT OUT AND NOT ONLY DID THAT GO OUT BUT WHEN IT DIED IT CREATED METAL SHAVINGS WHICH WERE SUCKED INTO TWO OTHER PARTS. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS RARE THAT A COMPRESSOR SHOULD GO OUT AT 63,000 MILES AND IT COULD EFFECT THE POWER STEERING. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE PARTS REPLACED BECAUSE I AM 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND NEED HEAT FOR THE NEW BABY. THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10241923

Incident

Mar 10, 2008

Mileage

63,000 mi

I AM CHANGING MY FRONT BRAKES EVERY OTHER MONTH AND THE CALIPER HAS BEEN BAD NOW FOR A FEW MONTHS. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE EVER HAD TO DO THIS WITH. IN FACT A FEW WEEKS AFTER CHANGING THE BRAKES. THEY ARE GRINDING AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON OCCASIONALLY. THIS CANNOT BE NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO LOOK FOR RECALLS OR PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. OR IS THERE SOMEWHERE I NEED TO LOOK. I THOUGHT AT ONE TIME I SAW NOTICES ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. THANK YOU TAMI IVEY *TR

NHTSA ID

10233216

Incident

Jun 30, 2008

Mileage

50,000 mi

ON 12/10/05 AT 1303 HRS A REGISTERED DOT TRUCK #707794 CAUSED PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WHEN A LARGE SHEET OF ICE SLID OFF THE MOVING US DOT TRUCK AND STRUCK AND DESTROYED MY DRIVER SIDE MIRROR. THE US DOT REGISTERED VEHICLE IS OWNED BY F&V DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LLC AT 5 DAKOTA DRIVE, SUITE 205 LAKE SUCCESS NEW YORK 11042. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE NEW JERSEY PENSAUKEN POLICE DEPARTMENT CASE#05-61550. THE US DOT REGISTERED VEHICLE IS INSURED BY UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY POLICY #1337203233, NO PHONE NUMBERS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR EITHER THE F&V DISTRIBUTION COMPANY OR THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RECEIVE ANY COOPERATION FROM THEM. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN WHO WAS DRIVING THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, A 2002 SUZUKI XL7 THAT SUSTAINED THE DAMAGE BY THIS US DOT REGISTERED TRUCK. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE UNITED STATES INSURANCE COMPANY THAT INSURES THIS US DOT REGISTERED VEHICLE, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPORT OR FILE A CLAIM NUMBER, I MERELY SEEK THE $500 DEDUCTIBLE THAT MY INSURANCE CO. WILL REQUIRE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO PROCEED AS I FEEL I AM, AS A SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY, F& V DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, LLC AND THE UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT INSURES THIS VEHICLE. I AM REQUESTING YOUR INTERVENTION AND GUIDANCE IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT YOUR EARLIEST. *JB

NHTSA ID

10146025

Incident

Dec 10, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET BURNED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THE SOCKET WAS TOO LIGHT TO HOLD THE HEAVY BULBS. THE SOCKET HAS BEEN REPLACED EACH TIME, BUT NO OTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10143537

Incident

Nov 1, 2004

VEHICLE DOES NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT AND WANDERS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO FIX. *NM

NHTSA ID

10139131

Incident

Oct 9, 2005

I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE AND I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE NOT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE ENGINE SURGED AND PULLED MY TRUCK INTO THE FRONT WALL OF MY GARAGE RESULTING IN BODY DAMAGE TO THE HOOD AND FRONT BUMPER. AFTER HITTING THE WALL, THE WALL BEING WHAT STOPPED ME, MY TRUCK CAME BACK DOWN TO A NORMAL IDLE. AT THIS POINT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABLE TO BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND AFTER THE INCIDENT MY POWER WINDOWS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, BUT MADE A VERY LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN WE WOULD PRESS THE BUTTON TO ROLL THEM DOWN. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS ON MORE THAN 3 OCCASIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE UNWILLING TO FIX ANYTHING. HOWEVER, LAST TIME I HAD MY TRUCK IN FOR THIS PROBLEM, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT SUZUKI WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT CONSIDER IT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THEREFORE, THEY ARE NOT OFFERING ANY SORT OF SOLUTION TO ME AT THIS TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT I HAD MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

10125986

Incident

Mar 3, 2005

Mileage

21,000 mi

WHEN EVER IT RAINS THERE IS A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED BE CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD STILL LEAKS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10118992

Incident

Sep 1, 2004

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL7. VEHICLE HAS WENT THROUGH FOUR SETS OF TIRES WITHIN 45000 MILES. SUZUKI HAD REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND KEPT THE CAR FOR DAYS TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO ALIGN. THE TIRE COMPANY SAYS THAT THE ALIGNMENT IS NOT OUT ENOUGH TO DAMAGE THE TIRES. OTHER PEOPLE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THERE IS COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THEY HAVE ALSO HEARD OF THE 2003 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ID

10124107

Incident

Nov 21, 2002

Mileage

45,000 mi

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY/UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *JB DURING ACCELERATION CRACKED DIFFERENTIAL, DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSED. MAYBE DEALER DIDN'T FIX PRIOR RECALL WHICH HAD TO DO WITH ACCELERATOR CABLE. VEHICLE WAS REVVING UP, IT'S A GOOD THING CONSUMER WIFE SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. CONSUMER WARRANTY HAD TO PAY $1543.34 FOR WHAT THEY FEEL WAS THE DEALERS FAULT WHICH IS NOT FAIR. *BF

NHTSA ID

10119084

Incident

Mar 1, 2005

Mileage

39,000 mi

DT: CONSUMER HAD CAR FOR 2 YEARS. ABOUT EVERY 5,000 MILES HAD TO CHANGE THE TIRES ON THE FRONT END DUE TO THEM WEARING OUT ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR FRONT END ALIGNMENT. FRONT END ALIGNMENT DID CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ID

10121018

Incident

May 15, 2003

Mileage

5,000 mi

ON A RAINY WEDNESDAY MORNING, CAME TO A STOP SIGN SIGNALED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN UPON MAKING THE LEFT TURN THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED AND WENT INTO A WALL. CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR

NHTSA ID

10120666

Incident

Apr 27, 2005

CONSUMER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER PURCHASE THE SUSPENSION MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE CONSUMER CAME TO A 4 WAY STOP, AS THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN, IT BROKE DOWN. THIS WAS DUE TO THE REAR AXLE SHAFT.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID

10103376

Incident

Dec 6, 2004

Mileage

2,400 mi

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE OVERHEATING.*MR THE VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT OCCASIONALLY AND LEAK COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE COOLANT, RADIANT, THERMOSTAT AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED AND WHITE SMOKE COULD BE SEEN COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIBRATED AND NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN STARTING. THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10091761

Incident

Apr 1, 2003

BROUGHT VEHICLE TO ONE DEALER, MULTIPLE TIMES REGARDING ENGINE COOLANT EMPTY, OVERHEATING. FIRST DEALER STATED WAS BAD RADIATOR CAP. REPLACED, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. WENT TO THIS DEALER 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEM WITH NO RESOLUTION. FINALLY WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND FOUND CYLINDER HEADS TO BE BAD, STATED PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF DIAGNOSED EARLIER. ORIGINAL DEALER WANTED FEE FOR DIAGNOSIS, EVEN THOUGH CAR STILL UNDER FULL WARRANTY. AFTER REPLACEMENT, ENGINE NOW MAKES CONSTANT TICKING/KNOCK AND PING NOISE WHEN DRIVING, AND MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN ACCELERATING. SECOND DEALER STATED UNABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO OCCUR EVEN 1 YEAR LATER. *JB

NHTSA ID

10086904

Incident

Aug 28, 2003

Mileage

35,900 mi