Most common 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems
Share of the 108 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Suzuki Grand Vitara complaints by model year
Best Grand Vitara years: 2013, 2004, 2009. Years to avoid: 2006, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2002. Compare all years →
1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline
On certain passenger vehicles, under ambient temperatures below -25 degrees celsius, moisture can freeze in the fuel pressure regulator. As a result, fuel system pressure May increase at the time of engine start up, causing fuel loss at the fuel pipe/fuel hose connection.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pressure regulator, the fuel deliver hose and replace the hose clamp with an improved clamp. The recall began on September 29, 2004. Owners should contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under temperatures below -25 degrees, moisture can freeze in the fuel pressure regulator. Fuel system pressure could increase at the time of engine start up, causing fuel loss at the fuel pipe/fuel hose connection.
Remedy: Dealers will install a redesigned intake manifold vacuum union and a new fuel pressure regulator. Owner notification began June 4, 2001.
What 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 24 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. While driving approximately 5 MPH, a fuel odor emitted inside the vehicle. When the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered fuel leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 01V146000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 04V427000 (fuel system, gasoline), but was not diagnosed or repaired to due the mileage of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 163,000.
The vehicle at highway speeds from 45 to 55 miles per hour will lose complete power dropping from 45 or 55 to 10 or 15 MPH very rapidly when this happens you have no control of acceleration or vehicle till it reaches the 10 to 15 MPH range leaving you in a very dangerous position if you are not close enough to the shoulder of the road to pull off leaving you the possibility of being in a collision with faster approaching vehicles from the rear this is a serious problem that could result in death from a rear end collision and appears to be a common problem with this vehicle. Something needs to be done about this and the dealers have no explanation for this failure. This has been an on going problem from July of 2012 to the current date of 2/4/2013.
Engine & cooling all 20 →
The engine would not turn over, could not be jump started, and was towed to the dealership. The diagnosis was a dead cell battery at ~48,000 miles. Two weeks later the engine would not turn over, but eventually did after a jump start. The following two weeks, when the key was turned to try and start the engine, all that happened was a clicking noise. Jump starting was ineffective. It was towed again to the dealership. The diagnosis is engine siezure. The vehicle is four years old, with ~48,000 miles, and perfect service records. The dealer recommends replacing the entire engine in order for the vehicle to run again.
Vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly loses complete engine power at highway speeds and vehicle speed rapidly drops to under 10 MPH. Engine runs very rough and there is no response when depressing accelerator pedal. Must immediately pull over (if possible) as vehicle is not drivable. After waiting several minutes, engine operation returns to normal but power loss will usually reoccur anytime as quickly as within the next several minutes or as long as a day or two. Engine power loss May last as little as a minute or two or for several minutes and check engine light comes on.
Brakes
Tl contact owns a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The contact stated that the brakes made a grinding noise and the brake adjustment pin in the rear driver side wheel was loose. The spring that held the wheel in place failed, which allowed it to move freely inside the brake drum. The spring flipped up and caused the brake shoe, drum, and braking kit to fail. Prior to the failure, aamco inspected the rear and front brakes and stated that they were 50% worn. The contact placed the wheel back on the vehicle and drove approximately six blocks when he heard the noise. The contact took the vehicle back to aamco because the grinding noise became very loud. Aamco stated that the failure was not caused by the inspection. The contact called Suzuki's customer service line to find out if the failure was common. Suzuki stated that no one could talk to their technical department unless they were a dealer. …
I first reported this problem last year. Something was causing intermittent severe vibration at highway speeds. I was traveling down the highway going 60mph at approx. 12:30 am when this occured again and I attempted to pull over to the side of the highway when my foot was dislodged from the brake by vibration. The force being applied to the brake was transfered to the accelerator which resulted in a loss of control of the vehicle. I slammed into a solid rock ledge and received injuries to my back and neck. Both of the air bags failed to deploy, the officers on the scene commented that they should have. This vehicle has been to the dealer three times for the vibration problem with no results. Their answer has been to balance the tires over and over, although they did supposedly replace the body bushings. Still no results. …
1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 19 / 18 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 20 / 18 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 20 / 18 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good car?
Based on 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Grand Vitara rates avoid: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Vitara at the same age. It is one of the Grand Vitara years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
The fuel & propulsion system — 24 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about fuel injection system. Next are the engine & cooling (20) and brakes (16).
How many recalls does the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara, the most recent from October 5, 2005 (rotor). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2004 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 1999, 2000, 2007 and 2002. See the full Suzuki Grand Vitara years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 57,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.