1999 Suzuki VITARA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
125,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 34 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 26.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 8.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 2 |
Suspension: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 3; Suspension:Front: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 27 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
2000: 13; 2001: 7; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 5; 2008: 3; 2010: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10020833 · 2003-06-01 (June 1, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT EASILY GO INTO 3RD GEAR. THERE WAS A HORRIBLE VIBRATION AND NOISE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A FEELING OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020833 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042021 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN CRUISE MODE. WHEN TRYING TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER STRUGGLED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, FINALLY GETTING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL ACTIVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL THE GAS PEDAL FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 42,214 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053379 · 2004-01-05 (January 5, 2004)
BRAKE LIGHTS KEPT BLOWING OUT ON THEIR OWN. THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED SIX TIMES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10053379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065816 · 2004-04-09 (April 9, 2004)
1999 VITARA HAS LOUD VIBRATION BETWEEN 55 TO 65 MPH. HAVE TO DRIVE BELOW OR ABOVE MPH RANGE TO STOP VIBRATION. SAFETY ISSUE. NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON FILE. FEEL INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 6 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098924 · 2004-11-17 (November 17, 2004)
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 04V427000. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE SUZUKI CORPORATION, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE WAS A PART OF THE RECALL. THEN, SUZUKI TURNED AROUND, AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *AK THE CONSUMER FELT THAT BEING EXCLUDE FROM THE RECALL WAS UNFAIR AND THAT THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR THE 6 CYLINDER AND NOT THE 4 CYLINDER. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10098924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101255 · 2004-11-18 (November 18, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH A COLLISION OCCURRED, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED BAD INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103801 · 2004-12-15 (December 15, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MP ENGINE LOCKED UP. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT IT WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK....*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103801 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V324002 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1999-02-09 (February 9, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE COUPLING THAT CONNECTS THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT TO THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS CRACKED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE STEERING SHAFTS TO SEPARATE.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT COUPLING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V154000 · Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Reported: 1999-06-28 (June 28, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PORT INSTALLATION OF REAR STEREO SPEAKERS, THE VEHICLES WIRING HARNESS COULD HAVE BEEN PINCHED BETWEEN THE REAR STEREO SPEAKER AND SPEAKER RETAINING PLATE.
Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR DUE TO THE PINCHED WIRES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION/CONDITION OF THE REAR WIRING HARNESS AND REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS, IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V155000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1999-06-28 (June 28, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PORT INSTALLATION OF REAR STEREO SPEAKERS, THE FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS WERE REMOVED TO FACILITATE THE REAR SPEAKER INSTALLATION AND MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION AFTER INSTALLATION OF THE SPEAKERS.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETORQUE BOTH OF THE FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V273002 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 1999-10-15 (October 15, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH. IF THE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY BE INOPERATIVE. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE, A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH MAY ALSO PREVENT SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS FOLLOWING CLOSELY, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗