Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
2.5l v 6 has two exhaust coming off of it, one on the left and one on the right. Under the vehicle where they joined the two together they only used flex hose,and it burned out and caught fire, after only 30,000 miles. The piece in question also houses a o2 sensor witch has screwed up emmissions and computer. The piece is also more than 400.00 dollars.
Rear main seal on engine begins to leak, dripping oil onto chassis crossmembers and exhaust pipes, leaving an oil burning smell. Research has shown most owners encounter this problem with the 1999 Grand Vitara, and that Suzuki has redesigned the rear main seal appropriately, in effect admitting that the original seal is defective.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer at 30,000 miles because of a "clicking noise" coming from the engine. The dealer stated there was no problem with the engine. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who found a problem with the tension on the timing chain. The part was on back order.
While driving the vehicle started making a rattling noise. Upon inspection of the vehicle by the dealership they indicated that the noise was due to the tensioner going bad. The hub bearing and senor also went bad and needed to be replaced at 40,000 miles. Please provide any additional information.
The engine suddenly started making a loud noise as if the muffler was broken. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and indicated that the exhaust pipe was broken where it comes out from the engine. Mechanic indicz=ated that problem was very common for Suzuki.
While driving engine made loud rattling noise and failed.. Aaa called to tow vehicle. Upon inspection by independent mechanic determined timing chain failed. Was mentioned that this was a common failure with this particular vehicle.
Vehicle when purchased from dealership-had a loud sound-we assumed that this was normal-the sales person attached a $1500 warranty on the vehicle as if it was a part of the deal-this vehicle was selected by the sales person we never saw the vehicle before the sale or one like it-we went along with the deal only because we needed a vehicle for our family-an they were willing to have it financed-and our credit was not terrific-now we know why they attached the warranty because of the bad engine-the vehical was so small for our family that we went to try to trade it in for a family van at a different dealership-the sales man told us that the vehicle should not be sounding this loud-he said that you should not hear the sound of the engine-thats when we took it back to the dealership-at first they said it would only take 2days for repairs-but now they are saying at least one week and that …
Recall campaign for the Suzuki recommended replacing the 4 oxygen sensors. The 4-wheel drive gear would no longer shift, it was discovered years later that it was not assembled correctly. The consumer had emission problems. The consumer stated when he took the vehicle in for repairs for two problems, the vehicle came back with unrelated problems such as the brakes which the dealer stated needed to be adjusted, the front bumper was hanging off and was missing the securing bolts, the vehicle did not have any head lights, it was subsequently determined by an electrical repair specialist that the head light relay was internally damaged, the consumer stated the was also an unidentifiable fuel leak.
Engine complaints in other Grand Vitara years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 19% of the model year's 108 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.