Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara. While driving approximately 5 MPH and parking the vehicle, the contact lifted her foot off of the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated. The contact was able to get the vehicle to stop after applying pressure and pumping the brake repeatedly. The failure occurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated that the electronic system was failing and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara. As the vehicle was being started the engine revved as if it is getting ready to take off. After shifting the vehicle in gear, it failed to move forward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer at least three times for the same failure; however, they were unable to duplicate it. The Suzuki manufacturer was called and claim#2-224423334 was filed. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 15,888. Updated 03/26/10. Updated 07/19/10
I bought this car used one year ago and have had to change the low beam lights twice and now they are out again. At night I drive with the high beams on and they are so weak no one can tell. Last month the engine started surging making the car try to take off wether in neutral, park or drive. I have to hold the brake very strongly to keep the car from taking off. This is extremely dangerous for obvious reasons and someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed because Suzuki will not acknowledge or fix this problem. This will be my last Suzuki product ever. I can't afford to get another vehicle right now so I'm having to drive this nightmare daily.
My wife and I just left my mother's condominium premises, I turned right on geneva avenue in san francisco. As I started to accelerate at 23 miles per hour, the car took on a life of its own! The car took off, the engine revved up, by it self and sped up, even me my right foot stepping as hard as I could on the brakes! I steered the car to the side of the road, but I needed to hit the bumper of a parked car in order to stop. In my opinion, my wife and I were subjected by this car into a life threatening situation. I left a note and my phone number on the windshield of the car I hit, apologized, and asked the driver to call me as soon as possible. I thought the frightful experience was over! After I left my note for the driver of the parked car I hit, we decided to proceed. After half a block, the engine powered up by itself, again, and was launching forward. …
I was parked in parking lot of usps ready to leave. I had gotten there about 20 mins before. Car gave me no indication of any malfunction on way there. I turned car on and shifted to reverse;let go of emergency break when car jolted in reverse across to other side of parking . It jumped the cement molding on floor banged against iron railing knocking it down. As soon as I felt the jolt I pulled back on the emergency break and nothing happened. Luckily no one was hurt. I saw that there was a recall on this vehicle but I am not the original owner. Do I have any rights on this matter?
While pulling into the driveway driver depressed the brake pedal and vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into the residence. In January 2004 vehicle was repaired under a recall for the throttle cable.
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.
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Suzuki Grand Vitara years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (16), 2003 (12), 1999 (10), 2000 (10) and 2006 (10) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Suzuki Grand Vitara acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-512 (cables, Dec 5, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Suzuki Grand Vitara acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cables (28 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (17).
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.