Most common 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems
Share of the 11 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 →
2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls (4)
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
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.
Power train › Manual transmission
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
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
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara:
Occupant Classification System Failure
Suzuki Motor of America is conducting a safety recall to remedy the occupant classification system's (OCS) sensor mats in approximately 193,936 model year 2006-2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4 vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-405 for more details).The sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat can develop an electrical circuit disconnection as a result of repeated flexing of the seat from use of…
What 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara owners say
Air bags
Lleve mi auto a triangle Suzuki en la ave. 65 inf. Km 5.4 en carolina con telfono [phone] ya que soy el cliente # 29676 debido a que tenia las luz del air bag encendida. Luego de ellos revisar dicho Suzuki quien tenia el tag 5406 encontraron el cogin defectuoso con cdigo b1312. Donde ellos facturan la cantidad de $267.00 por la reparacin del mismo. Tengo entendido que la Vitara tiene un recall debido a air bags. Podran orientarme al respecto.
2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Consumer writes in regards to air bag recall notice and air bag malfunction during an accident. The consumer stated he/she received a recall notice regarding a defect with the air bags. The consumer began having problems with the air bag light on and off since the vehicle was purchased in 2012. However, the consumer was involved in a front end collision, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. During the accident, none of the airbags deployed.
2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 19 / 23 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good car?
Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Grand Vitara rates better than average: 63% 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 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
The air bags — 4 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the seats (1) and fuel & propulsion system (1).
How many recalls does the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara, the most recent from March 7, 2019 (occupant classification). 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 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 39,000 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.