2003 Suzuki GRAND VITARA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 29 complaints (31.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 17.2% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.9% |
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 | 9 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables: 9; Electrical System: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2004: 19; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking 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 10051917 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER LAST WEEK CONCERNING THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND IT WAS THE CONSUMER'S CHOICE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS OR PARK IT. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER THAT WAS 40 MILES AWAY TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082436 · 2004-07-22 (July 22, 2004)
REAR DOOR TRIM HAS PEELED BACK AND SNAPPED OFF. DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY, THREE MONTHS LATER IT IS SNAPPED OFF AGAIN. BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND BOTH SIDES HAVE BROKEN AGAIN. DEALER IS SLOW IN ORDERING AND RECEIVING REPLACEMENT PARTS, EVEN SLOWER SCHEDULING A TIME TO REPAIR. DEALER FELT THAT "TAPING IT DOWN WITH BLACK TAPE WAS SUFFICIENT UNTIL THE PARTS COME IN." IT HAS BEEN OVER SIX MONTHS SINCE THE PASSENGER REAR TRIM HAS BEEN ORDERED. MEANWHILE, I AM DRIVING AROUND IN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE HOLDI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053077 · 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
2003 SUZUKI VITARA. WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE OR DEEP SHADOW, THE NIGHT-TIME LIGHTS COME ON AND DO NOT CHANGE TO DAY-TIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHEN MOVED INTO SUNLIGHT UNLESS THE IGNITION IS FIRST TURNED OFF. WHEN THE DAY-TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE ON IF DRIVEN THROUGH DEEP SHADOW OR TO THE NORTH (SHADING THE SENSOR) THE NIGHT-TIME LIGHTS COME ON AS WELL AS THE TAIL LIGHTS CAUSING DRIVERS BEHIND ME TO BRAKE. ON TWO OCCAISIONS THE DRIVERS OF THE FOLLOWING CAR HAVE MADE THREATENING GESTURES TO ME. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM EVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 18 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157877 · 2006-05-19 (May 19, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER ANY CONDITIONS OR SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. AFTERWARDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IT US UNABLE TO BE PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION UNTIL THE FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS THE PROBLEM HOWEVER IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT REPAIRS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157877 at NHTSA ↗