RoadVitals

2004 Suzuki Xl-7

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.
45
Latest Aug 12, 2017
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.
2
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.
6
4 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Suzuki Xl-7, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and driver assistance 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags2745.8%
  • Brakes915.3%
  • Driver assistance610.2%
  • Electrical46.8%
  • Interior & seats35.1%
  • Seat belts35.1%
  • Powertrain (other)23.4%
  • Body & structure23.4%

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.gov

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

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

BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 12, 2017

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. AFTER NOTICING SOME ISSUES & LOOKING BACK OVER CARFAX, REPAIR REPORT, & RECALLS ONLINE, I CALLED SUZUKI. GAVE THE VIN# AND WAS TOLD A RECALL WAS DONE IN 2004 BY DEALER. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE OTHER RECALLS, SHE SAID THERE WAS NO OTHER RECALLS. ALL PAPERWORK I HAVE HAS NO INDICATIONS OF THE RECALL BEING DONE. I SEE 3 RECALLS ON THIS SITE AS WELL. WHAT SHOULD I DO OR WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

NHTSA ID
11014782
Incident
Aug 9, 2017
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 23, 2017

RECALL 03V51200 AFFECTED PART OF THE 2004 XL7 BUT NOT THOSE PRODUCED AFTER 6/13/2003. THE LATTER VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATER CABLE STICKING. ON MARCH 18, 2017 MY WIFE'S CABLE GOT STUCK AND HER VEHICLE ALMOST REAR ENDED A DIESEL TRUCK ON HIGHWAY 99 SOUTH IN SACRAMENTO, CA. IF SHE HADN'T PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL SHE WOULDN'T HAVE STOPPED SO I LOOKED RECALL NOTICES AND FOUND THE ABOVE STATED RECALL. JUST TO FIND OUT THAT HER VEHICLE SUFFERED FROM THE SAME AFFLICTION AS THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED BUT WASNT INCLUDED. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS AND I FEEL ALL THE VEHICLES FROM 2004 SHOULD BE FIXED

NHTSA ID
10968141
Incident
Mar 18, 2017
Mileage
175,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 23, 2014

ABOVE AREA WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER THE REST OF THE VIN. # ----X92V044100900? MAKE AND MODEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE ON THIS CHART? I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM SAID-BUSINESS OWNER OF B & R AUTO BODY AND REPAIR. THEY CLAIMED IT TO BE THEIR BUSINESS VEHICLE? I KNEW THERE WERE ISSUE AND I TOOK CARE OF THEM: BRAKES, WIND SHIELD SMALL STUFF-NO PROBLEM ON VEHICLE . WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECT IT FAILED DUE TO NO AIR BAG LIGHT SHOWING. I WAS AN ELECTRONIC TECH. FOR M1/BRADLY TANKS SO WAS COMFORTABLE TEARING DASH APART TO EXAMINE LIGHT FOR DAMAGES. WOULD HAVE FIXED IF NECESSARY? ONCE I GOT INSIDE I FINED SOMEONE HAD DELIBERATELY TAPED BLACK ELECTRIC TAPE OVER LIGHT SO IT WOULD NOT SHOW A DEFAULT BY CONSTANTLY STAYING ON. I TOOK TAPE OFF WITH TWEEZER-HAVE SPOKE TO STATE POLICE AND WANT TO FILE MORE CHARGES AGAINST PREVIOUS OWNER FOR RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT OF MY LIFE & OTHERS. THIS WAS A DELIBERATE ACT TO DEFRAUD/HURT SOMEONE? FINGER PRINTS ON TAPE WILL SAY WHO DID IT. MY SUSPICIONS IS BRIAN OWNER OF VEHICLE/BUSINESS. IF AIRBAGS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO MY VEHICLE AND ITS SAFETY-NOT WORKING CAUSES IT TO FAIL TEST-THEN TAMPERING WITH THE ELECTRONICS TO DEFRAUD SOMEONE SHOULD HOLD EQUAL OFFENSE IN STATE OF VA. OR ELSEWHERE. THIS MAN ENDANGERED MY LIFE!

NHTSA ID
10638939
Incident
Aug 27, 2014
Airbags
Filed Sep 10, 2014

GOING ON A SMALL TRIP, AND MY PASSENGER, A RATHER LARGE MAN, SAT IN PASS FRONT SEAT, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE CLOCK STARTED FLASHING. BROUGHT TO BRAINTREE TOYOTA, NEAREST DEALERSHIP THAT WORKED ON SUZUKIS, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO RECALIBRATE UNDER PASS SEAT, RESET, AND ALL WORKED UNTIL A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHEN THE SAME MAN SAT IN THE PASS SEAT, AND AGAIN, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CLOCK FLASHED, AND HAS BEEN EVER SINCE. I HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THIS PROBLEM NOW FOR ABOUT 3-4 YEARS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS TO REPLACE WOULD BE SENSORS AT A COST OF ABOUT 1500.00 TO ME, AT MASTRIA SUZUKI. *TR

NHTSA ID
10632179
Incident
May 5, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 15, 2014

AFTER A SNOW STORM WE GOT INTO OUR VEHICLE AND STARTED IT TO WARM IT UP. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OFF AND THE DISPLAY ON THE STEREO FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. FROM THIS POINT ON, THESE DISPLAYS CONTINUE TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. AFTER CHECKING WITH THE DEAL AND SUZUKI, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IS BROKEN. IT CAN HAPPEN FROM SITTING THINGS ON THE SEAT OTHER THAN A PERSON, A HEAVY PERSON ON THE SEAT, NORMAL EVERY DAY USE, AND FINALLY THE COLD. I'M TOLD THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF AND WILL REMAIN OFF FROM THAT POINT ON. THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE THE SEAT WITH THE SENSOR WHICH CAN RANGE BETWEEN $2000 AND $1000 DEPENDING ON THE DEALER YOU TALK TOO. THERE IS NO EXPLANATION OF THE RADIO DISPLAY FLASHING OTHER THAN SOMEHOW THE ELECTRONICS ARE LINKED TOGETHER. I BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE IN PLACE TO FIX THIS FAULTY SENSOR WITH AN EXTREMELY HIGH COST TO AN AVERAGE USER TO REPLACE AS IT RENDERS THE AIRBAG USELESS FOR THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO COST EFFECTIVE WAY FOR THE CONSUMER TO FIX IT, IT REDUCES THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS ACROSS THE NET WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IT REQUIRES ALSO THAT A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL BE USED TO FIX THE ISSUE WHICH INCREASES THE COST SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10572560
Incident
Nov 8, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 28, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 01/07/14*LJ

NHTSA ID
10549835
Incident
Oct 21, 2013
Mileage
52,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 20, 2013

OUR 2004 SUZUKI XL7 HAS RUN WONDERFULLY WITH FULL MAINTENANCE SINCE IT WAS NEW. HOWEVER JUST THIS LAST MONTH OUT OF NO WHERE FOR NO REASON THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH DISPLAY CAME ON AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE. THE CLOCK FLASHES AND CAN NOT BE SET IT JUST FLASHES. THE CODES APPEAR TO SAY WE NEED TO PAY 2000 OR MORE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG, WHICH SUZUKI DOESN'T FEEL THEY SHOULD REPLACE. WE'VE CONTACTED THEM AND WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT A DEFECT IT HAPPENED AFTER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548640
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 17, 2013

I HAVE READ ABOUT THE RECALL ON SUZUKI VEHICLES DATED 09/17/2013 THAT ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR NOT KNOWING IF A CHILD OR AN ADULT IS ON THE SEAT, THERE FORE CAUSING THE BAG TO DEPLOY EVEN IF A SMALL CHILD IS IN THE SEAT. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE EXCEPT IT IS A 2004 MODEL WHICH DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL, THOUGH I DO NOT KNOW WHY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10544005
Incident
Jun 1, 2011
Mileage
130,000 mi

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.

PIC3278F

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 GREADYH OR GONSTAR READYH 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.

1405175

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

1208085

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE, A/C WIRING DIAGRAM CORRECTION GRAND VITARA SQ625W/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

Suzuki Xl-7 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009500
2008740033.2
20071382043.3
2006282052.4
2005182052.6
2004Viewing452049.6
2003242053.2
2002352049.4
2001132051.4

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.