Suzuki GRAND VITARA XL-7 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
42,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 to 2005 model years. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 45 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 13.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 13.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 8.9% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
Air Bags: 12; Electrical System: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 9; 2005: 5; 2006: 6; 2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10039280 · 2003-09-22 (September 22, 2003)
THE BRAKES ON THE CAR FAILED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. THE HAND BRAKE WAS PULLED AND THE CAR WAS DIRECTED OUT OF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASS TO MAKE IT STOP. *JB THE DISTANCE WAS MEASURED AND IT WAS 75 FEET FROM THE POINT WHERE THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO THE POINT THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR WAS GOING 35-40 MPH. THE DRIVER FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO STOP BY PULLING THE HAND BREAK BUT THE CAR HIT THE BUMPER HIT THE REAR OF PICK UP TRUCK IN FRONT AND THE TOW HITCH OF THE PICK UP TRUCK C…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073461 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
FAILURE ON BRAKES, ACCELERATOR, ALARM, LIGHTS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE CARPET. *MR THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR WERE RECALLED. THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ALARMED FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ABOUT TEN TIMES IN REFERENCE TO THE ALARM. THE DOOR AJAR CHIME DID NOT WORK. THE CARPET WAS LOOSE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT TWO MONTHS BEFORE IT WAS FIXED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193330 · 2007-06-14 (June 14, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS BURNING INSIDE THE GAS TANK, WHICH CAUSES NO CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE. SUZUKI ADVISED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE RECALL SERVICED FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 167,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 167,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158644 · 2006-05-31 (May 31, 2006)
STARTED MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND THE BACK DOOR ARM REST WAS SMOKING. SHUT THE CAR OFF AND PUT OUT FIRE. CALLED THE SUZUKI SHOP AND THEY HAD ME DRIVE IT IN. MY ELECTRICAL WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THEY REPLACED FUSE, SWITCH, HANDLE AND WIRE COMP. ON THE REAR DOOR. $561.00 LATER I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118825 · 2005-05-02 (May 2, 2005)
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHILE MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN. OCCASIONALLY AFTER THE SOUND, THE STEERING CONTROL WOULD NOT BE THERE. THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO DEALER, WHO STATED THEY WORKED ON THE TRANSMISSION AND CHANGED THE OIL.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11372294 · 2020-10-29 (October 29, 2020)
THE VEHICLE 28610-54G10-000 SUZUKI SOLENOID,SHIFT LOCK IS BAD. CAN NOT FIND PART. IF THEIR ARE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE I WOULD LIKE THEM FIXED IF POSSIBLE PLEASE. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND IS ALSO RUNNING LEAN THE COMPUTUER CODE READS LEAN AND BAD SOLENOIDS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11372294 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10596451 · 2014-06-05 (June 5, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE CHEST AREA AND A SLIGHT CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 230,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10596451 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 |
2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 0