FaultScore

FaultScore report

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara with NHTSA between 2009 and 2019. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 13 worst.

A

FaultScore 19/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

How this is worked out

The numbers

24

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

56,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

30%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 18 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 51 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 18
Against the median year of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 51
30% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2009 compares with every other Suzuki Grand Vitara

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Other & Unspecified 3 12.5%

Median failure at 78,629 miles

Stability & Traction Control 3 12.5%

Median failure at 61,000 miles

Lights 3 12.5%

Median failure at 42,000 miles

Brakes 3 12.5%

Median failure at 113,000 miles

Airbags 3 12.5%

Median failure at 21,500 miles

Electrical System 3 12.5%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 2 8.3%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 8.3%

Median failure at 91,869 miles

Steering 1 4.2%

Median failure at 88,259 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 4.2%

Median failure at 15,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 5.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 10.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 7 35.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 5.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 6 30.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 15.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Dec 2009 peak 4 Nov 2019

NHTSA investigations into the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE13021 Opened 14 Jun 2013 Closed 30 Sep 2013 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Occupant Classification System Failure

Suzuki Motor of America is conducting a safety recall to remedy the occupant classification system's (OCS) sensor mats in approximately 193,936 model year 2006-2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4 vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-405 for more details).The sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat can develop an electrical circuit disconnection as a result of repeated flexing of the seat from use of the seat.According to Suzuki, when the failure occurs, the OCS system, by design, will not suppress the frontal passenger air bag for a seated child or small-stature adult.A deploy...

Recalls on the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2019129 9,772 units in Canada

Airbag

Issue: On certain vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) may not work properly. This could cause the airbag system not to turn off the airbag when an infant or child is seated in the front passenger seat. This could also cause the passenger seat belt reminder to activate when the seat is empty. Note: This problem only affects vehicles with leather seats. Safety Risk: In a crash, an airbag that deploys in front of an infant or child increases the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a Suzuki service provider to have the front passenger seat cushion replaced.

Recall 2017066 81 units in Canada

Powertrain

On certain vehicles, the gear shift rear shaft could break due to repeated right to left and left to right movement of the shifter lever. If this occurs, the driver would not be able to switch gear which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft with an improved part.

Recall 2013305 49,125 units in Canada

Airbag

On certain vehicles, the Occupant Classification System may malfunction, causing the airbag warning lamp to illuminate, and could fail to disable the passenger airbag if a child were seated in the front passenger seating position. This could result in an unwarranted airbag deployment in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to a child seated in the front passenger seat. Note: In this situation, the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" light would fail to illuminate, regardless of if a child or adult is seated in the front passenger seat. Correction: Vehicles will receive special extended warranty coverage of 10 years or 200,000 kilometers (whichever comes first) from the date the vehicle was originally placed into service. Under this special coverage program, vehicles which experience this condition will have the occupant detection mat replaced.

Recall 2011041 13,400 units in Canada

Engine

On certain vehicles, the tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt, which operates the alternator, water pump, air conditioner compressor and power steering pump, may contain an improperly manufactured internal spring that can break due to repeated stress. Should the spring break, this would cause the drive belt tension to be maladjusted, allowing the belt to slip. If the belt comes off, the loss of steering power assist would require the driver to exert increased effort to steer the vehicle. This could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Additionally, the loss of water pump function would cause the coolant temperature to rise, which can lead to engine overheating, while the loss of alternator charging ability would lead to battery discharge and eventual engine stall. Correction: Dealers will replace the drive belt tension adjuster pulley.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 88,259 miles Pompano Beach, FL

STEERING

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).'

NHTSA complaint #11280765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,259 miles Pompano Beach, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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).'

NHTSA complaint #11280765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Cidra, PR

AIR BAGS

NO WORD ABS AND ESP,

NHTSA complaint #11269259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Cidra, PR

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

NO WORD ABS AND ESP,

NHTSA complaint #11269259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Corozal, PR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READINGS, AND THE ENGINE, ABS, ASP, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11203901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Corozal, PR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READINGS, AND THE ENGINE, ABS, ASP, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11203901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Corozal, PR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READINGS, AND THE ENGINE, ABS, ASP, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11203901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles SAN Juan, PR

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE UNIT HAVE BEEN CONSUMING COOLANT IN EXCESS.AFTER A PROFESIONAL INSPECTION WAS DETECTED A CRACK IN THE ENGINE BLOCK.THIS IS EXACTLY THE SITUATION COVER IN THE SUZUKI EXTENSIONS OF THE WARRANTY BY THE MANUFACTURER.YOUR RECALL BULLETIN EXACTLY DESCRIBE MY SITUATION.PLEASE CLARIFY THE SUZUKI REPRESENTATIVE IN PUERTO RICO THAT THE WARRANTY EXTENSIONS IS VALID FOR PR UNITS.THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

NHTSA complaint #11195430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,738 miles Kekaha, HI

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED AIR CONDITIONING WOULD BE COOL THEN HOT FOR ABOUT 3-5 MINUTES AND COOL AGAIN THEN HOT AGAIN AND REPEAT. TURNED OFF THE AC WHEN I NOTICED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR GETTING HOTTER. TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC. HE PERFORMED PRESSURE TEST ON COOLING SYSTEM AND FOUND ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED AND LEAKING COOLANT, LEFT SIDE UNDER EXHAUST MANIFOLD. VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND WILL CAUSE ME TO BE STRANDED. COULD BE SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID #10054717.

NHTSA complaint #11022575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Charleston, SC

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL? AIR BAG AND PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS STAY ON. ONLY HAVE 70,000 MILES ON CAR. ABS/ESP LIGHT STAYS ON

NHTSA complaint #11003864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Charleston, SC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL? AIR BAG AND PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS STAY ON. ONLY HAVE 70,000 MILES ON CAR. ABS/ESP LIGHT STAYS ON

NHTSA complaint #11003864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Charleston, SC

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TAKATA RECALL? AIR BAG AND PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS STAY ON. ONLY HAVE 70,000 MILES ON CAR. ABS/ESP LIGHT STAYS ON

NHTSA complaint #11003864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Arvada, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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, WITHIN DAYS OF SEAL, SAME SYMPTOMS AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, BUT TOTAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN FOLLOWING ESP WARNING LIGHTS. ACCELERATION HALTED, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKES DIFFICULT TO WORK. AFTER SITTING OFF, CAR UNABLE TO START.

NHTSA complaint #10950047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Arvada, CO

ENGINE

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, WITHIN DAYS OF SEAL, SAME SYMPTOMS AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, BUT TOTAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN FOLLOWING ESP WARNING LIGHTS. ACCELERATION HALTED, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKES DIFFICULT TO WORK. AFTER SITTING OFF, CAR UNABLE TO START.

NHTSA complaint #10950047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Arvada, CO

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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, WITHIN DAYS OF SEAL, SAME SYMPTOMS AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, BUT TOTAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN FOLLOWING ESP WARNING LIGHTS. ACCELERATION HALTED, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKES DIFFICULT TO WORK. AFTER SITTING OFF, CAR UNABLE TO START.

NHTSA complaint #10950047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arlington, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHT BULBS SO MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, I HAVE LOST COUNT. NOW I AM BEING TOLD EVEN THOUGH MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE BULB AGAIN, THAT I SHOULD REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AT A COST OF $240 EACH TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEADLIGHT BULBS FOR MANY MODEL YEAR GRAND VITARAS. I THINK SUZUKI SHOULD RECALL THE 2007-2011 GRAND VITARA HEADLIGHTS FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND OVERALL CUSTOMER GOODWILL.

NHTSA complaint #10845720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Springfield, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10706498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,400 miles Ponce, PR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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

NHTSA complaint #10467212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Kansas, KS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

2009 SUZUKI VITARA AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED UPON 2 YEAR OWNERSHIP. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY PER SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED, A POPPING SOUND OCCURS AND THE AIR BEGINS TO BLOW HOT AIR. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS WAS THE HIGHBEAM/LOWBEAM LIGHTS BURN OUT WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THEN PULLEY SYSTEM FAILS. THEN THE COMPRESSOR. THIS ALL TAKES WITHIN 2 YEARS. TO REPAIR THE COMPRESSOR, THERE ARE NO "OLD" PARTS AND IT IS ONLY STOCKED WITH THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. YOU ARE FORCED TO PAY THEIR PRICE FOR REPLACING UNIT, EVEN THOUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND FILTERING UNIT IS COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR/OR 100000 MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT IS WAS COVERED THEN 6 HOURS LATER THEY SAID IT WASN'T AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COMPRESSOR TELLING ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LET ME "WIN THE LOTTERY". OUR SUZUKI HAS 40,000 MILES CURRENTLY. A TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10413583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Kansas, KS

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

2009 SUZUKI VITARA AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED UPON 2 YEAR OWNERSHIP. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY PER SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED, A POPPING SOUND OCCURS AND THE AIR BEGINS TO BLOW HOT AIR. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS WAS THE HIGHBEAM/LOWBEAM LIGHTS BURN OUT WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THEN PULLEY SYSTEM FAILS. THEN THE COMPRESSOR. THIS ALL TAKES WITHIN 2 YEARS. TO REPAIR THE COMPRESSOR, THERE ARE NO "OLD" PARTS AND IT IS ONLY STOCKED WITH THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. YOU ARE FORCED TO PAY THEIR PRICE FOR REPLACING UNIT, EVEN THOUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND FILTERING UNIT IS COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR/OR 100000 MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT IS WAS COVERED THEN 6 HOURS LATER THEY SAID IT WASN'T AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COMPRESSOR TELLING ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LET ME "WIN THE LOTTERY". OUR SUZUKI HAS 40,000 MILES CURRENTLY. A TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10413583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Kansas, KS

EQUIPMENT

2009 SUZUKI VITARA AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED UPON 2 YEAR OWNERSHIP. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY PER SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED, A POPPING SOUND OCCURS AND THE AIR BEGINS TO BLOW HOT AIR. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS WAS THE HIGHBEAM/LOWBEAM LIGHTS BURN OUT WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THEN PULLEY SYSTEM FAILS. THEN THE COMPRESSOR. THIS ALL TAKES WITHIN 2 YEARS. TO REPAIR THE COMPRESSOR, THERE ARE NO "OLD" PARTS AND IT IS ONLY STOCKED WITH THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. YOU ARE FORCED TO PAY THEIR PRICE FOR REPLACING UNIT, EVEN THOUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND FILTERING UNIT IS COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR/OR 100000 MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT IS WAS COVERED THEN 6 HOURS LATER THEY SAID IT WASN'T AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COMPRESSOR TELLING ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LET ME "WIN THE LOTTERY". OUR SUZUKI HAS 40,000 MILES CURRENTLY. A TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10413583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles TX, TX

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

2009 GRAND VATARI SUZUKI DISCOVERED WHAT APPEARS TO BE DEFECT IN RIGHT REAR AXLE.THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT BALD AFTER 15K MILES COMPLAINED TO YOKOHAMA ABOUT TIRES. PURCHASED NEW SET OF DIFFERENT YOKOHAMA'S. WHEN VEHICLE REACHED 45K MILES SECOND SET WENT BALD. AT THAT POINT I NOTICED A ROAR AND VIBRATION COMING FROM RIGHT REAR PURCHASED A THIRD SET OF TIRES AND ROTATED EVERY 3K MILES. THE ROAR GOT WORSE. HAD CAR LIFTED BOTH WHEELS OFF GROUND PLACED CAR IN DRIVE PRESSED ACCELERATOR RAN ODOMETER UP TO 50 MILES PER HOUR WHILE LISTENING AND WATCHING REAR END I HEAR CLICKING AND SAW A VIBRATION ON RIGHT REAR. ALL OF THIS WAS VISIBLE TO EYE AND EAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO SUZUKI DEALER DESCRIBED PROBLEM AND HISTORY TO SERVICE WRITER. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK IN SHOP . THE MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE BEARING IN THE RIGHT REAR AXLE IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM HAD TO EXIST WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN THE SAME SINCE THE FIRST 15K MILES. SUZUKI IS REPLACING THE BEARING UNDER THE WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10403753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles TX>, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10382873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,000 miles Charlotte, NC

AIR BAGS

WE OWN A 2009 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. WE HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERS 5 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. WE ARE TOLD WE NEED TO WATCH HOW WE SIT IN THE SEAT, AND DO NOT RECLINE THE SEAT, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE NO CODES SHOW UP ON THE COMPUTER. THEY STATE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK WITH THE LIGHT ON BUT CAN NOT FIX IT. IT IS INTERMITTENT SOMETIMES STAYS ON. HAS STAYED ON AT THE DEALERS.

NHTSA complaint #10294320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.