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 2007 Suzuki XL7 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a check engine light that has come on. I took the car back to where I purchased the vehicle, they tell me it is too bad. That the car was sold as is. I take the car to a local mechanic who says that I need to have the timing chain and tensioner replaced. It will cost $600 plus parts to repair. My vehicle has 116xxx miles. There is paint chipping, and my instrument cluster is showing the temp gauge on hot and rests in the middle position after sitting over night. A class action lawsuit against Suzuki should be considered, because the number of complaints for this issue, and there has not been a recall, is outrageous. This is a 3 day repair job at minimum. Suzuki knew this was an issue, they should show some morality and ethics as to offer their consumers a remedy to this issue. Something needs to be done to rectify this problem. Before an accident or loss of life happens.
I just purchased this vehicle 9 days ago and took it through inspectin today. It failed due to the codes p0008,p0009,p0018,p0017,p0016 which are the timing chains and twin cam position sensors. The repair to the vehicle is $1500.00 or more due to the extent of the procedure for the repair. I was told that this expense is my cost even though I only had the vehicle 9 days. This is an on going issue I have noticed with all these vehicles within the year of 2007. Suzuki told me that it is not in the man. Warranty anymore due to the miles. I really need help there is not even a recall for this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki XL7. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook and a strong fuel odor emitted in and around the vehicle. In addition, after fueling the vehicle, it failed to start and the engine made a loud noise and failed to accelerate over 15 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired a recall for the fuel system, gasoline. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
I picked up my wife for lunch and we stopped at a restaurant. When we got back in the car, it wouldn't start. We had to have it towed to a repair shop. The result: the compression that's supposed to be at 160 is at less than 60. The work to fix it is not worth the price. At 128,515 miles our engine is done. We still owe money on the car ($8000) and must decide between a new engine ($2000) or a complete loss of the car. We will be contacting an attorney and will sign on for that class action lawsuit. How is this legal Suzuki?
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki XL7. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the temperature gauge abnormally increased and the engine overheated. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed smoke (no flames) under the hood. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The timing chain in the engine of my car snapped, causing damage to the valves and other parts of the engine which then gives me two options, replace the entire engine or buy a new car. Worst part? We still owe money on this car! If we'd known of these issues with the XL7, we would have never bought it. Boy, what a predicament we're in now. I am wondering if a class action suit has been pursued against Suzuki for knowing about this problem but not recalling this make & model.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Suzuki XL7. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and it restarted after several attempts. The failure occurred intermittently. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 172,000.
Check engine light came on in our car n was told it was timing chain tensioner n come to find out it just the cam shaft position sensor n our power steering is messed which u have to use all the muscles u can to turn it
Family was traveling to town when we smelled something that smelled like wires burning. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the smell disappeared. Upon leaving the stop sign we were at, we traveled about a quarter of a mile & the driver (myself), started to smell smoke. I then pulled over to further inspect the vehicle at which time, I turned on the overhead lamp in the vehicle since it was starting to get dark, & noticed that the whole front dashboard at this point, was glowing red, orange, & blue & thick black smoke was boiling up on the entire inside windshield & that the truck on the driver's side was fully engulfed in flames behind the dashboard. I immediately got my children (teenagers) out of the truck & leaned over to grab my purse & saw that there was blue flames dripping down from under the dashboard onto the floor where my feet had previously been just seconds before. …
Engine trouble light came on nov. 2009. Talked to dealership they said the light had to be on at time of comp. Diagnostic. Came on again in dec. 2009. Had diagnostic done at dealer & independently, the code indicated a cylinder misfire. The dealership ordered parts, which took two months to get (feb. 2010). In the mean time the car was running with a cylinder misfire the whole time causing it to run hot, which created a large burn hole in the front exhaust pipe/converter assembly (which Suzuki attributed to a poor engine ground). The dealership "fixed" the cylinder misfire by replacing some 34 internal parts associated with the cam shaft or crank "tensioner and guide". Two months later (April 2010)the alternator mounting bolt and pulley assembly (recall NHTSA # 10v25000)both broke. …
Engine complaints in other XL7 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Suzuki XL7?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Suzuki XL7, 21% of the model year's 138 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Suzuki XL7 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Suzuki XL7, though it has 2 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 2007 Suzuki XL7 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires 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.