Most common 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems
Share of the 29 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 →
2003 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara owners say
Speed control & acceleration
This complaint is related to an existing recall on my 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara. While driving two days ago, the throttle cable became stuck and the vehicle would not stop accelerating. I was ultimately able to pull the vehicle off the road and turn it off. Afterward, I discovered an open recall for the throttle cable housing. However, the recall was issued before I purchased the vehicle new from the Suzuki dealer in 2004. I purchased the vehicle on January 9, 2004, the recall was issued in December 2003. I understand that it is illegal for Suzuki to have sold the vehicle with an open recall. I was never notified of the recall. Suzuki's negligence put me in great danger and resulted in towing and other costs that would have been avoided if the recall was properly handled before I purchased the vehicle. …
Consumer received NHTSA recall 03V512000 in January 2004 regarding accelerator cable casing cap that was attached to the vehicle firewall which could crack due to extended exposure to forces from the accelerator cable, and insufficient long term durability of the plastic casing cap. Dealership still did not have the parts available to conduct recall repairs. Dealer urged consumer to call manufacturer and tell him to hurry up with parts.
Electrical system
8/14/03 - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara, [redacted], purchased at Suzuki of des moines, po box 13377, des moines ia 50310, [phone]. 1/13/04 - received recall letter regarding accelerator cable casing cap. 1/17/04 - had car repaired. 9/9/04 - headlights on at end of day when leaving work and battery dead. Jump-started car and took to dealer; notice smell of something burning. 9/21/04 - car finally fixed. Invoice states: drl lights stay on pulled inside and found light do not turn off but marker lights not on also noticed BCM flashing clock hooked up tech 2 and found code p1121 looked up code in book and run test had to remove BCM from dash to inspect ect wiring run test and BCM appears to be OK but found wire not giving proper reading disconnect relay and light still on disconnect high beam relay and lights go off checked and found high/low switch burnt ordered parts removed switch to replace …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The contact experienced difficulty starting the vehicle. He discovered that the battery cable was grounding out against the body of the vehicle, which caused the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle is unsafe due to the current recalls on the vehicle, although he has not experienced any of the failures noted in the recalls. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
Tl contact owns a 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The vehicle is experiencing fuel loss in the ignition source. Whenever the contact attempts to turn the ignition, the vehicle will not start. She took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that fuel was not entering the ignition, causing a no-start condition. The manufacturer stated that the previous owner of the vehicle had it repaired under a recall for this same failure; therefore, they refused to repair it again. The contact feels that the vehicle was not properly repaired if the failure is recurring. The vehicle is currently parked at her home and has not been repaired. The recall number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 64,000.
Continually upon starting vehicle, go inside and came back out it would not restart. The consumer had to file for bankrupcy and voluntary repo because he could not afford to take the vehicle from state to state to be serviced. Campaign id number : 04V427000
2003 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good car?
Based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Grand Vitara rates average: 14% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Grand Vitara at the same age. 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
The speed control & acceleration — 12 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cables. Next are the electrical system (8) and fuel & propulsion system (4).
How many recalls does the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2003 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 45% 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.