Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems by Year

We compared every Suzuki Grand Vitara model year from 1999–2013 using 638 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 15 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2006, 1999, 2000, 2007 and 2002, which drew far more complaints than other Grand Vitara years at the same age. The best years are 2013, 2004 and 2009.

14model years
638complaints
15recalls
2006, 1999worst years
2013, 2004best years

Complaints by model year

199920002001200220032004200620072008200920102011201220131088538472981615842142011134
Owner complaints per model year, Suzuki Grand Vitara. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20134−83%2TransmissionGood
201213−60%2AirbagGood
201111−63%4AirbagGood
201020−49%5AirbagGood
200914−66%4AirbagGood
2008421.2×2HeadlightAverage
2007581.8×3AirbagCaution
20061614.7×6AirbagAvoid
20048−77%2AccelerationGood
200329−14%4AccelerationAverage
2002471.6×4AccelerationCaution
2001381.2×5AccelerationAverage
2000852.8×4Fuel SystemAvoid
19991083.5×4Fuel SystemAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Grand Vitara year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Latest Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 19V-187 · Mar 7, 2019 · 31,302 vehicles

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature.

Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019.

Steering › Hydraulic power assist system

NHTSA recall 18V-667 · Sep 25, 2018 · 304 vehicles

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles. The power steering pump belt tension adjuster pulley has an outer portion that is made of plastic. Repeated heat stress can cause the plastic material to deteriorate, causing pieces of the pulley to break off.

Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump drive belt tension adjuster pulley, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018.

Power train › Manual transmission

NHTSA recall 17V-085 · Feb 9, 2017 · 791 vehicles

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being able to be changed.

Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 13V-405 · Sep 6, 2013 · 189,901 vehicles

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat.

Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge.

Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA recall 11V-055 · Jan 27, 2011 · 32,291 vehicles

Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Suzuki grand vitara multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines; model year 2011 Suzuki grand vitara multipurpose passenger vehicles produced prior to October 17, 2010; model year 2010 Suzuki sx4 passenger vehicles; and 2011 Suzuki sx4 passenger vehicles…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the tension adjuster pulley with an improved part. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on February 16, 2011.

All 15 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara should you avoid?

2006, 1999, 2000, 2007 and 2002 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Grand Vitara years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2006.

What is the best year for the Suzuki Grand Vitara?

2013 has the fewest complaints compared with other Grand Vitara years at the same age, followed by 2004 and 2009. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (134), lights (82) and electrical system (81). Airbag complaints peak in the 2006 model year.

How many recalls has the Suzuki Grand Vitara had?

15 recalls across 1999–2013. The model year with the most is 2006. See all Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.