this model year2 EU Safety Gate alerts naming this model are classed as a serious risk. Check the production dates against this car.
this model yearOf 29 owner complaints for this model year, around 14% describe 3 injuries and 1 fire. These are unverified owner accounts, but the pattern is worth reading before buying.
this model yearOne further recall campaign covers this model year. Ask a dealer whether it remains outstanding on this car.
Almost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
Owner complaints for this model year
29Complaints
4Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
3Injuries
Most reported components
engine and engine cooling9
suspension4
power train4
vehicle speed control3
structure3
service brakes2
Read 15 of the most serious reports
air bags1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10140435
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WENT INTO A MEDIAN AND HIT A TREE. THE FRONT MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE HIT THE TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THEREFORE, SHE WAS UNAWARE OF THE SPEED. SHE MOVED THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. NO ONE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT BROKE HER NOSE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM
air bags1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10121073
DT: RAN OFF THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 25 MPH ONTO THE SIDEWALK. CONSUMER HIT AN ELECTRICAL BOX AND STREET SIGN. THE CAR STOPPED AND THE POLICE AND EMV CAME. THE POLICE STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AS A PRECAUTION. CONSUMER DID HAVE PREVIOUS BACK PROBLEMS AND DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS. *TT
exterior lighting1 injury
NHTSA #10093738
DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAVE BEEN STOPPED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR FAULTY REAR TAILLIGHTS. IT SEEMS THE LIGHT BULBS WILL WORK THEIR WAY OUT OF THE SOCKETS AND LIGHT UP SOME OF THE TIME BUT USUALLY NOT AT ALL. *NM
engine and engine coolingfire
NHTSA #887944
RENTAL FROM DOLLAR RENTAL, RETURNED IT TO BOSTON LOGAN AIRPORT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM BOTTOM OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE HAD BLOWN AN OIL LINE, OIL DRIPPED ON HOT EXHAUST AND IGNITED. *AK
vehicle speed controlcrash
NHTSA #10198253
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI VITARA. WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM ZERO TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE CARPORT. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE ROADS AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CARPORT AND THE SHED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE RAINY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE THE CONTACT WITH ANY INFORMATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED MULTIPLE REPAIR ORDERS, INSURANCE CLAIMS, AND LEGAL DOCUMENTATION PERTAINING TO THIS INCIDENT, INSURANCE CLAIMS, AND RENTAL DOCUMENTS. UPDATED 08/27/07 *TR
structure,vehicle speed controlcrash
NHTSA #745980
ALREADY HAD ONE RECALL ON THROTTLE CAUSED CRASH, BENT FRAME NO POWER REDUCTION PLATE. *AK
suspension,service brakes, hydraulic,engine and engine cooling,power train,vehicle speed control,tires,equipment adaptive/mobility
NHTSA #10232727
THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER POP'S OUT WHEN IT DONE TO WERE I CAN'T FIND IT, IT HAS BURNT SEVERAL ITEMS IN MY TRAY,AND FLOOR. ALSO THE GAS PEDAL STICK'S WHEN YOU PUSH DOWN ON IT TO GIVE A VERBAL ACCELERATION TO GET AROUND SOMEONE ETC. THE AIR IN THE TIRE'S ARE ALWAYS GOING DOWN. THE OIL SAYS IT LOW EVERYTIME I LOOK AT IT ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE BELT ON THE AC KEEP LOSING AND NOW IT NEEDS REPLACED BECAUSE IT NOW HAS FREEZED UP ON ME. THE RADIO AT 12:00 AM AND PM READS 00. THEN THE MINUTES ONLY DISPLACED. THERE'S A RATTLE UNDER THE CAR, DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS? WHEN I PUT THE 4X4 ON IT HAS A HARD TIME GOING BACK INTO THE REGULAR GEAR. SO REALLY JUST NEEDED TO SEE IF THERE WERE RECALLS ON THESES PROBLEM'S? *TR
power train
NHTSA #10179242
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE FRONT END OF THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL7 (2001) THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN MY HANDS. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RIP IN THE RUBBER BOOT UNDER THE SUV ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (FRONT). I BELIEVE IT WAS CALLED A 1/2 SHAFT. I STUCK MY FINGER IN THE RIP OF THE RUBBER BOOT AND FELT A BUNCH OF PIECES ON METAL & LARGE BALL BEARINGS LAYING IN THERE. I HAD TO PARK THE SUV AND CALL SOMEONE TO PICK UP MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN SO THAT WE COULD PICK UP THE WIFE WHICH WAS BEING RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL. I RENTED A U-HAUL TRUCK WITH A TRAILER (185.00) AND DROVE IT BACK FROM MILWAUKEE. DECEMBER 24TH. I PLACED THE SUV ON JACK STANDS AND TOOK OFF THE TIRE AND THE CAP FOR THE DRIVE SHAFT ON THE OUTER PART BY THE BREAK DRUM, I FOUND A RETAINER CLIP ABOUT 1" IN DIAMETER. I REMOVED IT AND THE INNER PART OF THE 1/2 SHAFT FELL OFF FROM THE INNER PART OF THE BREAK DRUM. I FOUND OUT THAT THE ONLY THING THAT WAS HOLDING THE DRIVE SHAFT IN PLACE WAS THE RETAINING CLIP. WE DON'T HAVE ANY DEALERS IN THE AREA ANYMORE. I CALLED EVERY PARTS STORE IN THE AREA AND NO ONE COULD SUPPLY ME WITH A NEW PART. I CALLED A NUMBER OF JUNK YARDS TO FIND THE PART AND FOUND 1. THE USED PART COST ME 75.00 I REPLACED IT WITH EASE BUT KNOW THE SUV SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT PULLS TO THE LEFT. WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL WE CAN AFFORD TO HAVE THE SUV CHECKED OUT BY A SERVICE STATION FOR ALIGNMENT. IT MAY COST US MORE IF THERE IS MORE PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOT NOTICED BY THE EYE. P. S. THERE WAS NOT WARNING THAT THE SUV WAS HAVING ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THANK YOU. *NM
engine and engine cooling
NHTSA #10125128
OIL LEAK THAT HAS BEEN A KNOWN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND NOT YET CORRECTED BY SUZUKI
engine and engine cooling
NHTSA #10125041
2001 SUZUKI GR.VITARA 25,000 MILES ON ENGINE. TICKING NOISE FROM ENGINE,LOSS OF POWER. SUZUKI STATED TIMING TENSIONER IS THE CAUSE. REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY 3 TIMES, WITHIN 6 MONTHS. EXTRA COSTS PLACED ON COMSUMER. SUZUKI RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAINS,AND WOULD NOT COVER THE COST. THE ENGINE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND COULD HAVE SEIZED. FIRST REPAIR ON 12-21-04, SECOND ON 03-15-05, LAST REPAIR ON 06-06-05. AT PICKUP ON DATE OF LAST REPAIR, BELTS FROM FRONT OF ENGINE WERE SHREDDING OF THE PULLEYS! ON THAT DAY I TRADED-IN THE CAR, AS I WAS TIRED OF FIGHTING WITH SUZUKI AND MY FORMER DEALERSHIP FOR RERPAIRS.
engine and engine cooling
NHTSA #10116311
OWNED VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS HAD OIL CHANGES EVERY 3 MONTHS NO PROBLEM TIL ON THE MARCH 14TH, 2005 I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A NEIGHBOR GOING AROUND 10 MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE AND STOPS. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. DID NOT START THE VEHICLE UP. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. MECHANIC HAD TROUBLE GETTING IT STARTED AND ONCE HE GOT IT STARTED HE TOLD ME THAT HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG BUT HE ADVISED THAT MY ENGINE HAD GONE BAD. I THEN HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MY NEPHEW'S WHOM I CAN TRUST. AND THEY FOUND OUT THE THE TIMING CHAIN APPARENTLY JUMPED STOPPED AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE WHICH THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
engine and engine cooling
NHTSA #10116331
DRIVING AND SUDDENLY ENGINE MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE AND STOPPED. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHT CAMEON, I DID NOT START THE VEHICLE. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. ONCE THE MECHANIC GOT IT STARTED HE TOLD ME THAT HE THOUGHT I HAD MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. DECIDED TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY NEPHEW'S MECHANIC WHOM I WOULD TRUST, AND THE FOUND THAT THE TIME CHAIN APPARTENTLY JUMPED STOPPED WHICH CAUSED MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. ALSO, THEY HAD COME TO THE CONCLUSION THE REASON WHY THE TIMING CHAIN DID THIS WAS DUE TO A FOREIGN PIECE OF MEDAL THAT LOOKED LIKE A WASHER WHICH EVIDENTIALLY WORKED ITS WAY AND GOT CAUGHT INTO THE THE CHAIN. HE SAID THAT THE ONLY WAY THIS PIECE OF MEDAL COULD HAVE GOTTEN THERE WAS DURING THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. SUZUKI WAS NOT MUCH HELP. THEY SAID THAT I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHICH WAS NOT CLOSE BY NOR DID I KNOW AT THE TIME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.*AK
engine and engine cooling,equipment
NHTSA #10108511
AT 48,000 MILES THE TIMING TENSIONER WENT OUT IN MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THIS HAS CAUSED COMPLETE DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE ENGINE REQUIRING A COMPLETE REBUILD BECAUSE OF A PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. SUZUKI HAS DENIED RESPONSIBILITY AND WOULD NOT HELP FIX THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY SAY THAT THEIR VEHICLES HAVE ZERO-MAINTENANCE AND SELF-ADJUSTING TIMING CHAINS. THE PART CLEARLY FAILED LONG BEFORE IT'S RATING AND NEED FOR REPLACEMENT (60,000MILES) AND I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON THE WEB WITH THE SAME ISSUE (AROUND 500 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS). SUZUKI HAS A PART OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO FOR THE SAKE OF ALL CONSUMERS OUT THERE. *JB
fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA #10107089
WHENEVER THE VEHICLE RUNS OVER A BUMP IT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINE. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK
electrical system
NHTSA #10073051
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION OF MY 2001 SUZUKI VITARA. I WAS TOLD BY THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALER THAT THIS HAPPENS TO ALL OF THEM. I FEEL THAT IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALL OF THESE VEHICLES, SUZUKI SHOULD RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART AND REPLACE IT WITH ONE THAT WILL NOT WEAR OUT.*AK
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.
Recalls for this model year
1 recall on record
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
EU recalls for this model
2 Safety Gate alerts name this model· 2 classed as serious risk
Due to a defective Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) cannister, fuel vapor can escape from the vehicle and contaminate the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Built: SX4/S-Cross: 05/09/2019 - 09/05/2024Vitara: 03/09/2019 - 24/05/2024Reported by The NetherlandsSafety Gate alert
Suzuki Vitara, SX4 S-CROSSerious riskInjuries
The left rear brake pipe may have been damaged during tightening process, which may lead to rust development and to the creation of a hole. This may cause brake fluid leaks, resulting in impaired braking performance and loss of driving stability, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.