2009 Suzuki GRAND VITARA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
42,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 35.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Equipment: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 4 |
2009: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2019: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10467212 · 2012-07-24 (July 24, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT AND THE ESP OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND INSPECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,900. UPDATED 8/24/12 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 12,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10950047 · 2017-02-07 (February 7, 2017)
WHEN CAR WAS INITIALLY STARTED, AFTER FEW MINUTES OF WARM UP TIME, HEAT WAS ACTIVATED AND NO HEAT WAS DISPERSED. BEGAN DRIVING, DESPITE NO HEAT. WITHIN 1 MILE TRAVELING LESS THAT 15 MPH, THE TEMPARATURE GAGE INCREASED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL, STILL WITHOUT HEAT IN CAR. (PICTURE 1) AS SPEED INCREASED, TEMPERATURE GAGE RAPIDLY FLUCTUATED AND ESP WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON DASH. (PICTURE 2) PULLED OFF HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS, ENGINE FOUND TO BE SMOKING. DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE CRACK., CRACK SEALED FOR TEMPORARY FUNCTION, …
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10950047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11280765 · 2019-11-18 (November 18, 2019)
THE POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVE-BELT TENSION ADJUSTABLE PULLEY- HAS BEEN COMPROMISED ... AND EFFECTS MY AC. WHILE RESEARCHING I FOUND THE 2006 - 2012 MODELS WERE EFFECTED AS WELL, CAUSING A RECALL..VEHICLE WAS IN PARK- AND WOULD NOT START.. TURNED OFF AC AND SHE FINALLY TURNED OVER.. AFTER I LET HER SIT FOR 2 HOURS PLEASE ADVISE THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Owner-reported narrative. 88,259 miles reported. Look up ODI 11280765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10382873 · 2011-02-16 (February 16, 2011)
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WOULD NOT GO OFF TOOK CAR TO ELECTRICAL SHOP FOUND OUT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR UNDER FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE ORDERED NEW ONE FROM SUZUKI THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM VEHICLE 09 GRAND VITARA. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10382873 at NHTSA ↗