2002 Suzuki GRAND VITARA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
28,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 47 complaints (17.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 25.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cables | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Tires: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 19 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 | 6 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2002: 6; 2003: 3; 2004: 22; 2005: 10; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10049964 · 2003-12-03 (December 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH BRAKE FOUNDATION ASSEMBLY AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF. AS RESUL, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSUMER HAD PICTURES AND POLICE REPORT. *AK.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062428 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
BRAKES SQUEALED EXCESSIVELY AND COST A MINT TO HAVE REPLACED. (HAD TO HAVE TWO SETS BOUGHT TO GET THIS TO STOP AND ROTORS MACHINED WITHIN 1 YR OF PURCHASE) RIGHT SEAT BELT LOCKS EXCESSIVELY AND ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IS TO UNDO THE CONNECTION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200466 · 2007-08-22 (August 22, 2007)
MY 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA (LIMITED 4WD) WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. IT WAS A HILLY STRETCH OF HIGHWAY NEAR PITTSVILLE, MO AND THERE WAS A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW JUST STARTING TO FALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL MADE THE CAR JUMP INTO A LOWER GEAR WHEN ASCENDING A HILL TO KEEP IT AT 55 MPH. THE RPM'S JUMPED FROM ABOUT 2,000 TO 5,000 WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 3RD GEAR - WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION AND I WRECKED INTO 2 HIGHWAY SIGN POSTS AND SKIDDED SIDEWAYS ABOUT 50 YARD…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10210568 · 2007-11-29 (November 29, 2007)
2002 SUZUKI VITARA WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO REVERSE WITH NO HELP FROM THE DRIVER AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL LOCK UP AND NOT GO INTO REVERSE. SHE ALSO STATES THAT IT HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10210568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080182 · 2004-06-30 (June 30, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD LOST STEERING WHEEL CONTROL. ALSO, FRONT TIRES WERE NOT ALIGNED, AND THE INNER PART OF THE TIRES WORE OUT PREMATURELY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 17,260 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11296613 · 2020-01-02 (January 2, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO A BRIDGE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM A STOP SIGN, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING A CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND HER BODY LUNGED FORWARD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (NUMBER 19005490). THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN BY AN AMBULANCE TO THE EME…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11296613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086600 · 2004-08-11 (August 11, 2004)
2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. DRIVERS HEATED SEAT WIRING FIRE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 24,651 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086600 at NHTSA ↗