Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara with NHTSA between 2011 and 2019.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 13 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 8
Against the median year of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 47
9.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2011 compares with every other Suzuki Grand Vitara
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
436.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 38,826 mi
Other & Unspecified
19.1%
Seats
19.1%
Tires
19.1%
Median failure at 27,400 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
19.1%
Body & Structure
19.1%
Brakes
19.1%
Median failure at 33,000 miles
Electrical System
19.1%
Median failure at 72,000 miles
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV AWD
—
—
—
18.5% risk
2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV RWD
—
—
—
19.1% risk
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.
Aug 2011peak 1Dec 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 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.
PE13021Opened 14 Jun 2013Closed 30 Sep 2013AIR 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 2011 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 20191299,772 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 201330549,125 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 201104113,400 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Greer, SCCrash
AIR BAGS
2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE AND AIR BAG MALFUNCTION DURING AN ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE/SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND OFF SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2012. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. DURING THE ACCIDENT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10555603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Park City, MT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND IT DOES HAVE RECALLS AND I HAD I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THE RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED OR STILL NEED DONE PLEASE THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11288804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,826 milesSAN Juan, PR
AIR BAGS
LLEVE MI AUTO A TRIANGLE SUZUKI EN LA AVE. 65 INF. KM 5.4 EN CAROLINA CON TELFONO 787-776-3023 YA QUE SOY EL CLIENTE # 29676 DEBIDO A QUE TENIA LAS LUZ DEL AIR BAG ENCENDIDA. LUEGO DE ELLOS REVISAR DICHO SUZUKI QUIEN TENIA EL TAG 5406 ENCONTRARON EL COGIN DEFECTUOSO CON CDIGO B1312. DONDE ELLOS FACTURAN LA CANTIDAD DE $267.00 POR LA REPARACIN DEL MISMO. TENGO ENTENDIDO QUE LA VITARA TIENE UN RECALL DEBIDO A AIR BAGS. PODRAN ORIENTARME AL RESPECTO.
NHTSA complaint #11073749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PA
STRUCTURE
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR HOLDS WATER WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON AND THE INSIDE FLOOR IS STARTING TO RUST THIS IS OF NO FAULT OF MY OWN THIS IS A DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10596873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,400 milesPiscataway, NJ
TIRES
I HAVE ALMOST 27,400 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND THE TIRES ARE DRY ROTTED WHICH THEY SHOULDNT BE LIKE THAT I DO NOT DRIVE FAR AT ALL I AM A VERY UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER THE TIRE SIZES ARE P225 70 R16.
NHTSA complaint #10592587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownsville, OR
AIR BAGS
2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA RECALLED APPROX. OCT. 2013. SUZUKI SENT A LETTER SAYING THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND WOULD FIX WHEN AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN 6 MONTHS. HOW LONG IS IT SUPPOSED TO TAKE TO MANUFACTURE THESE PARTS? DID THEIR PARTS SUPPLIERS GO BANKRUPT ALSO? DEALER NOW SELLS ANOTHER BRAND AND DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW (OR CARE) ANYTHING ABOUT WHEN THIS WILL BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10576273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PA
AIR BAGS
BROWN DAUB DEALERSHIP KNOWS OF THIS RECALL AND THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THIS RECALL THERE PHONE NUMBER IS 484-298-0000.
NHTSA complaint #10575078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greer, SCCrash
AIR BAGS
2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE AND AIR BAG MALFUNCTION DURING AN ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE/SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND OFF SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2012. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. DURING THE ACCIDENT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10555603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesClarskville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V055000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING AND RATTLE NOISE WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TENSION CONTROL PULLEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10534208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesBIG Bear City, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
THE POWER BRAKES DON'T WORK WHEN IT IS COLD LIKE 40 DEGREES.
NHTSA complaint #10486769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wynantskill, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO AN EARLIER COMPLAINT #10425314. THE VEHICLE IS A 2011, NOT A 2012 AS INDICATED IN ABOVE REFERENCE NUMBER. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10425746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheelock, VT
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I REALIZED THAT THE REAR HEAD RESTRAINTS FOLDED FORWARD (TO ALLOW FOR EASE OF VIEWING THROUGH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVER). THESE HEAD RESTRAINTS DO NOT LOCK UP AND FOLD OVER VERY EASILY. IT IS LIKELY THAT IF THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY OR STRIKE SOMETHING FROM BEHIND THAT THESE HEAD RESTRAINTS WOULD FOLD FORWARD. WHEN FORWARD THESE RESTRAINTS REST AT THE BASE OF MY NECK AT ABOUT THE C1-C2 JUNCTION. THIS LOCATION IS THE MOST COMMON SOURCE OF SEVERE SPINAL DAMAGE AND PARALYSIS WHEN INJURED. WHILE I AM HOPEFUL THAT NOONE HAS BEEN INJURED YET, I AM NOT PLEASED WITH SUZUKI'S RESPONSE WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY THAT THE NHTSA TESTED THE VEHICLE AND PASSED SO IT MUST BE SAFE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS HEAD RESTRAINT WAS A PARTY TO ANY DIRECT IMPACT CRASH TESTING WITH REAR OCCUPANTS (WITHER WITH OR WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT IN THE DOWN POSITION. MY HOPE IS THAT IT IS TESTED TO DETERMINE ITS SAFETY BEFORE SOME ONE'S LIFE IS FOREVER ALTERED. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY IN MY OPINION. AS FOR MY GRAND VITARA. I HAVE REMOVED MY HEAD RESTRAINTS AND WOULD RATHER RISK WHIPLASH THAN PARALYSIS.
NHTSA complaint #10420753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.