Suzuki Grand Vitara Complaints
639 consumer complaints on file.
- #10446153February 1, 2012EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY BURNED OUT AND STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY THREE MONTHS FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE AND THAT THE CHEAPEST REPLACEMENT BULBS AVAILABLE SHOULD BE PURCHASED DURING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 78,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10441353December 27, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FORTY-NINE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IT BURST INTO FLAMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD ONLY MOMENTS AFTER MY WIFE HAD EXITED THE CAR IN HER PARKING LOT AT A SCHOOL. THE CAR BECAME A TOTAL LOSS AS THE FIRE REACHED THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT. TWO NEARBY CARS BELONGING TO WORKMATES WERE ALSO DAMAGED WITH MELTED TAIL LIGHTS AND BLISTERED PAINT. NO AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN INSTALLED AND NO SERVICE HAD YET BEEN PERFORMED ON THE CAR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10440265December 17, 2011POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A WHEEL BEARING AFTER HAVING A MECHANIC LIFT THE CAR I NOTICED THE CROSSMEMBER FOR THE TRANSMISSION HANGING, AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION OF THE CROSSMEMBER SEEM THERE WERE NO DRAIN HOLES FOR WATER TO EXIT THE MOUNT. AND MAYBE DEFECTIVE METAL USED TO PRODUCE THE PART CAUSED PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE PART LUCKILY I FOUND THE PROBLEM AS THIS PART IS SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND KEEP THE ALIGNMENT OF THE ENGINE TO TRANSMISSION , TO DRIVE SHAFTS, TO THE REAR END , TRANSFER CASE DRIVE LINE TO THE FRONT WHEELS. A TOTAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE DRIVE SHAFTS TO BREAK POSSIBLY CATAPULTING THE CAR, NOT TO MENTION THE ACCELERATED WARE AND TEAR ON ALL PARTS THAT ARE ENGINEERED TO HIGH TOLERANCES TO LINE UP. THIS 4X4 VEHICLE HAS 79, THOUSAND HIGHWAY MILES, NO OFF ROADING . *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10440088December 15, 2011AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10438613December 5, 2011AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,500.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10438099December 2, 2011EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE THAT CONTROLLED THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10436740November 22, 2011ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ESP CONTROL MODULE ILLUMINATED AND THE ABS BRAKING CONTROL ENGAGED AFTER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ESP CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,010. UPDATED 01/24/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, THE STEERING WAS VERY LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST WANTED TO STEER ITSELF. WITHIN IN A FEW WEEKS, THERE WAS HEAVY WET SNOW AND THE ROADS WERE VERY SLUSHY. UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ALMOST BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $1500 TO REPLACE THE MODULE. UPDATED 01/26/12 UPDATED 01/30/12
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10436780November 22, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR RELEASED FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE BLOWER SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10435408November 13, 2011VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS
I ENGAGED MY BRAKES AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT GOING ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN I WAS ABOUT 6 INCHES AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALK CURB (ABOUT 6 INCHES HIGH) WITH MY BRAKES APPLIED FULLY MY VEHICLE REVVED UP REALLY LOUD AND LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED THROUGH A BRICK OFFICE BUILDING. I DID NOT STEP ON THE GAS AT ALL. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10428454October 4, 2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TOLD SUZUKI THAT BRAKES WHERE NO GOOD THEY SAID THAT THEY SEEMED FINE A WEEK BEFORE. THE CAR ALSO WOULD SET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ENGAGE AT 0MPH AND GO TO 40RPM WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF BRAKE. THE DEALER SAW NO PROBLEM. I WAS GOING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT 1MILE PER HOUR WHEN THE BRAKES ENTIRELY FAILED. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10426703September 22, 2011SEATS, AIR BAGS
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. ON THE WAY HOME THE" PASSENGER SEAT BELT OFF" AND AIR BAG LIGHTS REMAINED ON. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO A SUZUKI DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS THE RESULTS WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING THEREFORE THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS WERE DISABLED. THE SERVICE MANAGER QUOTED $1800. TO $2000. FOR REPLACEMENT. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUZUKI. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10426813September 22, 2011AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
AT APX. 10000 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE CAR, AND DID NOT GO OUT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR HAD FAILED IN THE SEAT, AND WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AT APX. 25000 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. THE CAR WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE SEAT HAD FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED, THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR FOR $300 DOLLARS. WHICH I PAID FOR. AT APX. 52000 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. (IT WAS INTERMITTENT, AS IT WOULD SOMETIMES NOT BE ON) AFTER A FEW MONTHS, WE WERE INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT, (STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR ON REAR QUARTER) WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, I WAS ASKED ABOUT THE SEATBELT LIGHT; I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDICATED A FAILURE OF THE WEIGHT SENSOR. I INFORMED THE REPAIR SHOP AND INSURANCE THAT THE LIGHT WAS NOT DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. WHILE I WAS AT THE SHOP, THE ERROR LIGHT WENT OUT, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY (WITHIN 5 MILES) CAME BACK ON AGAIN. THE SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS <<<PROBABLY>>> IN THE WIRING HARNESS OR SENSOR CONNECTOR, RATHER THAN THE ACTUAL SENSOR (AS THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT.) THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STILL ON. THAT IS THREE AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PERVASIVE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2006 GRAND VITARA... [IN ADDITION, THE CAR BLOWS THE LOW-BEAM (AND SOMETIMES HIGH BEAM) HEADLIGHTS QUITE OFTEN - MORE THAN ANY OTHER CAR I'VE DRIVEN IN NEARLY 40 YEARS OF DRIVING.] *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10425746September 16, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO AN EARLIER COMPLAINT #10425314. THE VEHICLE IS A 2011, NOT A 2012 AS INDICATED IN ABOVE REFERENCE NUMBER. THANK YOU. *TT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10425314September 13, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS COVER DOESN'T OPEN AFTER PULLING LEVER FROM DRIVERS SEAT. I'VE BEEN TO DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER SAYS TO PUSH LEVER ON HINGE OF COVER. HAD VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS NOW AND HAVE BEEN PUSHING THIS THIN METAL BACK EVERY TIME BUT AT TIMES IT STILL WILL NOT OPEN. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES NOW AND HE KEEPS TELLING ME TO PUSH THIS THING BACK. FRUSTRATED, I SAID THAT THIS IS A TERRIBLE DESIGN, HE SAID IN RETURN "HONDA HAS SAME FEATURE". I LEFT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10420753August 19, 2011SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I REALIZED THAT THE REAR HEAD RESTRAINTS FOLDED FORWARD (TO ALLOW FOR EASE OF VIEWING THROUGH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER). THESE HEAD RESTRAINTS DO NOT LOCK UP AND FOLD OVER VERY EASILY. IT IS LIKELY THAT IF THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY OR STRIKE SOMETHING FROM BEHIND THAT THESE HEAD RESTRAINTS WOULD FOLD FORWARD. WHEN FORWARD THESE RESTRAINTS REST AT THE BASE OF MY NECK AT ABOUT THE C1-C2 JUNCTION. THIS LOCATION IS THE MOST COMMON SOURCE OF SEVERE SPINAL DAMAGE AND PARALYSIS WHEN INJURED. WHILE I AM HOPEFUL THAT NOONE HAS BEEN INJURED YET, I AM NOT PLEASED WITH SUZUKI'S RESPONSE WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY THAT THE NHTSA TESTED THE VEHICLE AND PASSED SO IT MUST BE SAFE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS HEAD RESTRAINT WAS A PARTY TO ANY DIRECT IMPACT CRASH TESTING WITH REAR OCCUPANTS (WITHER WITH OR WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT IN THE DOWN POSITION. MY HOPE IS THAT IT IS TESTED TO DETERMINE ITS SAFETY BEFORE SOME ONE'S LIFE IS FOREVER ALTERED. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY IN MY OPINION. AS FOR MY GRAND VITARA. I HAVE REMOVED MY HEAD RESTRAINTS AND WOULD RATHER RISK WHIPLASH THAN PARALYSIS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10419578August 15, 2011AIR BAGS
I HAVE GRAND VITARA 2006 WITH 21,500 MILES. THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURN ON 21,000 MILES. I CHECK INTERNET A LOT OF THIS SUV HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. AIRBAG SENSOR UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IS DAMAGE. REPLACE FULL SEAT $2,200 TO $2,500. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10419237August 12, 2011AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OFA CRASH, UNLESS THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10418162August 9, 2011AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHENEVER A PASSENGER WAS POSITIONED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SIMILAR DEFECT IN APRIL OF 2000; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM BULBS WERE REPLACED FIFTEEN DIFFERENT TIMES DUE TO THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE HEAD LAMP SOCKET. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10413583July 19, 2011EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2009 SUZUKI VITARA AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED UPON 2 YEAR OWNERSHIP. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY PER SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED, A POPPING SOUND OCCURS AND THE AIR BEGINS TO BLOW HOT AIR. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS WAS THE HIGHBEAM/LOWBEAM LIGHTS BURN OUT WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THEN PULLEY SYSTEM FAILS. THEN THE COMPRESSOR. THIS ALL TAKES WITHIN 2 YEARS. TO REPAIR THE COMPRESSOR, THERE ARE NO "OLD" PARTS AND IT IS ONLY STOCKED WITH THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. YOU ARE FORCED TO PAY THEIR PRICE FOR REPLACING UNIT, EVEN THOUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND FILTERING UNIT IS COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR/OR 100000 MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT IS WAS COVERED THEN 6 HOURS LATER THEY SAID IT WASN'T AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COMPRESSOR TELLING ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LET ME "WIN THE LOTTERY". OUR SUZUKI HAS 40,000 MILES CURRENTLY. A TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. *KB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10410869July 7, 2011POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI MOTORS OF AMERICA TO DESCRIBE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE ONLY OFFER IT TO FIX THE RECALL ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR ERROR IN SELLING THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL, NOR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADDITIONAL COSTS I'VE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0