Suzuki VITARA steering problems
10 complaint narratives mention steering terms.
Key facts
99 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
53,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Steering behavior evidence
10 of 99 complaints match this topic (10.1%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10233633 · 2008-07-09 (July 9, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS EXTREME DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE IT REMAINS IN A FIXATED POSITION. HE INSPECTED THE STEERING FLUID AND CONCLUDED THAT THE LEVELS WERE NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V324002 (STEERING:WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR), THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MI…
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233633 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 744004 · 2001-04-13 (April 13, 2001)
WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PRESSED THE ENGINE WILL DIE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10+ TIMES SINCE 2/2000. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND DESPITE 6 RETURNS TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT OR LEAVING THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING LOCKS AND THE BRAKES GET VERY HARD TO DEPRESS. I HAVE GONE THROUGH AT LEAST ONE RED LIGHT OUT OF CONTROL AS A RESULT. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 848841 · 2000-01-05 (January 5, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING MOTORCYCLE WOULD DRIFT RIGHT LIKE ITS STEERING BY ITSELF. WOULD HIT BUMPS OR ROUGH PATCH IN ROAD & LOSE CONTROL. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 848841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 862312 · 2000-05-22 (May 22, 2000)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 5-10 MPH GOING AROUND A LEFT HAND CURVE WHEN STEERING SPINDLE FAILED ,COMPLETLY SNAPPED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.CONSUMER CLAIMED IT WAS ALREADY 1/3 SNAPPED, DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 862312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10210706 · 2007-12-03 (December 3, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI VITARA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND LOSE STEERING ABILITY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME ROTTED AT THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM THE CROSS MEMBER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CROSS MEMBER AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,300.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210706 at NHTSA ↗