2001 Suzuki VITARA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
48,225 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 27 complaints (14.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Suspension:Front: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Interior Lighting: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 4; 2003: 7; 2004: 3; 2005: 8; 2007: 2; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10022607 · 2003-06-06 (June 6, 2003)
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES FRONT END SHAKES AND STEERING WILL VIBRATE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066451 · 2004-04-19 (April 19, 2004)
2001 GRAND VITARA 4 DOOR R235-60-16 TIRES; VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY SWERVES SUDDENLY TO THE SIDE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS; FORCES CONSTANT CONTROL OF VEHICLE; EXPERIENCED BY AT LEAST 2 OTHER DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE; TIRES REPLACED; ALIGNMENT DONE; NO CHANGE; VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE UNSAFE ON TE HIGHWAY; IF TIRES ENCOUNTER AN IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD SUCH AS AN INDENTATION WHERE THE ASPHALT MEETS, IT WILL HIT THAT SPOT AND JUMP TO THE SIDE; SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS; REPORTED TO DEALER WHO SAID THERE IS NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY; HOWEVER, IT APPEARDED IN THE L…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107089 · 2005-01-10 (January 10, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 28,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125041 · 2005-06-12 (June 12, 2005)
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, …
Owner-reported narrative. 25,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8009191 · 2002-05-06 (May 6, 2002)
DRIVESHAFT CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING 35-40MPH. VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND ACTED AS THOUGH IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. CONSUMER REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED COMPLETELY OUT, CONSUMER GOT BENEATH THE VEHICLE, AND SAW THAT DRIVETRAIN WAS DISLOCATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. SUZUKI WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.*AK DEALER WILL REPAIR. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8009191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121073 · 2005-05-16 (May 16, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121073 at NHTSA ↗