Most common 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems
Share of the 47 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 →
2002 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.
Visibility › Windshield
Certain passenger (111 my 2002 esteem, 777 my 2002 aerio, 2,368 my 2003 aerio) and sport utility (324 my 2002 grand vitara, 274 my 2003 grand vitara, 684 my 2002 grand vitara xl-7, and 781 my 2003 grand vitara xl-7) vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles. Vehicles that are found to have insufficient paint adhesion will either have the problem remedied by repainting, or will be replaced, or repurchased and destroyed.
What 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara owners say
Speed control & acceleration
My 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara (limited 4wd) was involved in a single car accident when the cruise control was engaged on the highway at 55 MPH. It was a hilly stretch of highway near pittsville, mo and there was a light dusting of snow just starting to fall. The cruise control made the car jump into a lower gear when ascending a hill to keep it at 55 MPH. The RPM's jumped from about 2,000 to 5,000 when the car shifted into 3rd gear - which caused the tires to lose traction and I wrecked into 2 highway sign posts and skidded sideways about 50 yards into the center median. It was a miracle that I didn't roll over several times. It cost me $5,000 in collision damage to fix the car. The cruise control does this all the time still when even on moderate hills to keep up with the set MPH. It is a design flaw in my opinion. …
The dealership informed the consumer to call back in 5 days to make an appointment to have the accelerator cable casing cap recall 03V512000 performed, although the vehicle experienced a failure, which caused the consumer to hit a pole.
Brakes
At speed of 55 MPH on a highway, I was cut off by another vehicle. I had to apply my brakes quickly, and much to my shock, the car went sideways and slammed into a steel divider. This caused body damage to my vehicle to the entire passenger side - from front to back and everything in between. I have not had any repairs done as of yet.
Dt: the consumer stated there was a loud popping sound while driving at 35-40 MPH. This happened without warning and no previous problems. The consumer inspected the vehicle because she thought she May have run over something. There was no evidence of this, and she proceeded. Afterwards, the brakes were hard to apply. Again the popping noise became more prominent after applying brake pressure. The consumer inspected the vehicle again and discovered nothing at that time. The popping noise continued along with hard braking, and the vehicle was pulling to the right in which they stated that the rear brakes failed along with the struts. The entire hardware including the shoes and the drums were destroyed. The mechanic could not diagnose why this problem occurred. The vehicle was currently in the shop for repairs. …
Seat belts
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The contact stated while making a right turn onto a bridge during inclement weather conditions from a stop sign, control of the vehicle was lost causing a crash into a cement wall. The contact could not gain control of the steering wheel and her body lunged forward onto the steering wheel as the seat belt did not retract. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. A police report was filed (number 19005490). The contact was taken by an ambulance to the emergency room for her multiple injuries. The contact sustained a broken sternum and multiple teeth, injured her chest wall, both left and right knees and neck. The contact stated she had suffered from pneumonia and was seeking treatment by a neurologist and seek medical attention for her left knee. The vehicle was not drivable and was totaled. …
Brakes squealed excessively and cost a mint to have replaced. (had to have two sets bought to get this to stop and rotors machined within 1 yr of purchase) right seat belt locks excessively and only way to unlock is to undo the connection.
2002 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 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 18 / 17 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good car?
Based on 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Grand Vitara rates use caution: 1.6× 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 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
The speed control & acceleration — 16 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cables. Next are the brakes (10) and seat belts (5).
How many recalls does the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2002 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 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 75% 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.