Suzuki Grand Vitara Complaints (1999)

108 consumer complaints on file.

#10065171March 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION AND FAILS TO TURN. WHEN THIS OCCURS IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE. THEN, WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTS AND IS TURNED OFF THE KEYS WILL NOT RELEASE. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND HAS ISSUED A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE KIT IS $45.00 PLUS LABOR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062402March 17, 2004
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ON RAINY DAYS, OR IN COLD WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP. TURNING ON THE DEFOGGER MAKES IT WORSE EVEN ON THE HIGHEST SETTINGS. THE ONLY THING THAT CLEARS IT EVENTUALLY IS ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS AN INCH ON EITHER SIDE LEFT OR REAR. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, BUT NOW IT IS GETTING WORST. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053702February 19, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE FENDER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE IS VERY LOOSE. THE ENTIRE FENDER IS HELD ON BY PLASTIC FASTENERS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FASTENERS WITH OTHERS THAT WERE ALSO MADE OF PLASTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THREE MONTHS LATER THE FASTENERS STARTED TO FALL OUT AGAIN. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056439February 3, 2004
AIR BAGS
1999 SUZUKI GRAND VARTARA AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER VEHICLE HITTING A @36'' TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY ROAD, POSTED SPEED 45MPH, DUE TO ICEY,AND SNOWEY CONDITIONS , DRIVER TRAVELED AT @ 30 MPH. CRESTING A HILL THE VEHICLE HIT A SNOW COVERED ICE PATCH., ON THE DOWN HILL SIDE THE VEHICLE MOVED RIGHT THE LEFT BEFORE MY DAUGHTER ( THE DRIVER) COULD REACT THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE TREE. MY DAUGHTER HIT HER HEAD AND FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY WIFE HIT SOMETHING THAT COULD NOT BE READALY IDENTIFIED AND RECIEVED A GASH IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD , A CONCUSION, AND HER LEG WAS JAMMED UNDE THE DASHBOARD. THE LEG WAS NOT BROKEN BUT SHE DOES NEED TO WEAR A KEG IMMOBILIZER FOR A FEW DAYS. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND TOWARDS THE CENTER. WITH THE SIZE OF THE TREE AND THE AMOUNT OF LEFT FRONT DAMAGE ONE WOULD EXPECT TO HAVE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOY AT THE VERY LEAST. WHILE NONE OF THESE INJURIES ARE LIFE THREATNING, I HAVE GREAT CONCERN , BECAUSE OUR FAMILY HAS 3 1999 GRAND VARTARS I DRIVE ONE , MY WIFE DRIVES ONE AND HER SISTER DRIVES ONE. THIS MAY ALL CHANGE VERY SOON., DEPENDING ON WHAT WE DO OR DO NOT FIND OUT ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I SEE ON YOU SITE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF GRAND VARTAR OWNERS REPORTING AIRBAG PROBLEMS. HOW MANY WILL IT TAKE BEFORE SOMEONRE THAKES THIS PROBLEM SERIOUS.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10056051January 28, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CROSSOVER PIPE LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE BACK SEAT CRACKED. EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054708January 22, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, EQUIPMENT
AFTER PURCHASING MY USED VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2003 THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHIFT HARD WHEN TAKEN OUT OF PARK, OR SWITCHING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE AND SO ON. OCCASIONALLY IF FELT LIKE THE GAS PEDAL MAY BE STICKING A BIT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & THE DEALER HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP THE SHIFTING PROBLEM. ON DECEMBER 11, 2003 AROUND 4:00 AM, I WAS RETURNING FROM DOWN STATE ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY, IT WAS RAINING AND AROUND 34 DEGREES. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK & THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. SPINNING AROUND SEVERAL TIMES, STRIKING A GUARD RAIL, AND GOING BACKWARD INTO THE DITCH. THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ROLL-OVER BUT CAUGHT ON THE BANK AND SLAMMED BACK ON IT'S WHEELS. IT STRUCK HARD ENOUGH TO BEND 3 RIMS AND EXPLODE THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR. I AM CURRENTLY RECOVERING FROM MULTIPLE BACK & NECK INJURIES, INCLUDING TWO CRUSHED VERTEBRA AND NERVE DAMAGE CAUSING LOSS OF FUNCTION AND TREMENDOUS PAIN. I RECEIVED YOUR RECALL NOTICE ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE & CASING 3 1/2 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE ISSUED THE RECALL MORE EXPEDIENTLY. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WEREN'T WITH ME!*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10055563January 21, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES PRODUCE A GRINDING NOISE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055415January 20, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL FEBRUARY 26, 2004. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054389January 18, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I DID RECEIVE NOTICE OF A RECALL OF THE 1999 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA REGARDING AN PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND THE PLASTIC CASING WHICH ATTACHES IT TO THE FIREWALL. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT THREE TIMES AT THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE RECALL LETTER STATED THAT ALL SUZUKI DEALERSHIPS HAD THE PARTS IN SHOP AND WERE READY TO CORRECT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN HOUSE AND WOULD NEED TO ORDER THEM AND THAT THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THEY GOT THEM IN. I MADE CONTACT WITH THEM ON MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2004. THE LETTER OF RECALL SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT ALL DEALERSHIP HAD PARTS ALREADY ON HAND TO CARE OF THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. I HAVE WAITED 9 DAYS TO HEAR FROM THEM AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CALL WHEN THE PARTS WERE IN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS RECALL MATTER AND SUZUKI HAS NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM EXPEDITIOUSLY AS THEIR LETTER STATED! *CB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053765January 9, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
RECALL 03V512000 CONCERNING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP FAILURE. DEALER INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER, AND WON'T BE AVAILABLE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053773January 9, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IT WAS TRAVELING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES, AND EACH TIME CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SHAKING. ONCE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER, MECHANIC DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE CALIPERS WERE STICKING AT THE TIME OF ACCELERATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052100December 30, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY INDICATED THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE TENSIONER GOING BAD. THE HUB BEARING AND SENOR ALSO WENT BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051235December 29, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
REAR MAIN SEAL ON ENGINE BEGINS TO LEAK, DRIPPING OIL ONTO CHASSIS CROSSMEMBERS AND EXHAUST PIPES, LEAVING AN OIL BURNING SMELL. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN MOST OWNERS ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 1999 GRAND VITARA, AND THAT SUZUKI HAS REDESIGNED THE REAR MAIN SEAL APPROPRIATELY, IN EFFECT ADMITTING THAT THE ORIGINAL SEAL IS DEFECTIVE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042068September 23, 2003
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE TIE ROD BROKE.*MR THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY STRUCK A CONCRETE DIVIDER WALL AND THE AIR BAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY. *PH (PER ALBERTO JIMENEZ THIS DOCUMENT IS CONSIDERED A MAILED IN VOQ) *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033289August 21, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
I HAVE 1999 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING TO THE FLOOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BROKEN LINKAGE. NOW THE PROBLEM IS WHEN I ACCELERATE AT LOW SPEED IT MAKES A WEIRD GRUNTING GURGLING SOUND. I PLANNING ON HAVING IT CHECKED OUT WHEN I HAVE MY 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022369August 1, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD GONE TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT BEING APPLIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY HAD NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE HE SUGGESTED CHANGING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *AK *SCC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10029769July 21, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES ENGINE MAKE RATTLING NOISE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND PROBLEM STILL RECURRING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017458July 18, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE WIRES AT THE BACK OF THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER MELTED. WHEN THE CONSUMERS BRAKE ASSIST WAS PLUGGED INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER IT BURNED UP, BECAUSE THE WIRE WAS TOO THIN AND WAS UNABLE TO CARRY THAT TYPE OF LOAD. LUCKILY THE FUSE DID NOT BLOW OUT. *NLM *CB *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017956June 26, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT 30,000 MILES BECAUSE OF A "CLICKING NOISE" COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE TENSION ON THE TIMING CHAIN. THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *NLM *TT *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020630May 28, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, COULD NOT BE JUMP STARTED, AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A DEAD CELL BATTERY AT ~48,000 MILES. TWO WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, BUT EVENTUALLY DID AFTER A JUMP START. THE FOLLOWING TWO WEEKS, WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED TO TRY AND START THE ENGINE, ALL THAT HAPPENED WAS A CLICKING NOISE. JUMP STARTING WAS INEFFECTIVE. IT WAS TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DIAGNOSIS IS ENGINE SIEZURE. THE VEHICLE IS FOUR YEARS OLD, WITH ~48,000 MILES, AND PERFECT SERVICE RECORDS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RUN AGAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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