76 of the
880 complaints filed about the Suzuki Grand Vitara
are about the throttle and cruise control —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
76
Complaints
9%
Share of all complaints
19
Crashes
1
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
I bought this car used one year ago and have had to change the low beam lights twice and now they are out again. At night I drive with the high beams on and they are so weak no one can tell. Last month the engine started surging making the car try to take off wether in neutral, park or drive. I have to hold the brake very strongly to keep the car from taking off. This is extremely dangerous for obvious reasons and someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed because Suzuki will not acknowledge or fix this problem. This will be my last Suzuki product ever. I can't afford to get another vehicle right now so I'm having to drive this nightmare daily.
NHTSA complaint #11514906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT OF USPS READY TO LEAVE. I HAD GOTTEN THERE ABOUT 20 MINS BEFORE. CAR GAVE ME NO INDICATION OF ANY MALFUNCTION ON WAY THERE. I TURNED CAR ON AND SHIFTED TO REVERSE;LET GO OF EMERGENCY BREAK WHEN CAR JOLTED IN REVERSE ACROSS TO OTHER SIDE OF PARKING . IT JUMPED THE CEMENT MOLDING ON FLOOR BANGED AGAINST IRON RAILING KNOCKING IT DOWN. AS SOON AS I FELT THE JOLT I PULLED BACK ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK AND NOTHING HAPPENED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BUT I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. DO I HAVE ANY RIGHTS ON THIS MATTER?
NHTSA complaint #10957304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000. UPDATED 04/05/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10938340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION AND REVVING OF THE ENGINE IN MY SUZUKI. EACH TIME I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. BRAKING DOES NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO DOWNSHIFT. I THINK A THROTTLE OR ACCELERATION IS STICKING SIMILAR TO THE RECALLED TOYOTA CARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH PASSENGERS IN THE CAR WHO CAN SUPPORT WHAT HAPPENED. FOLLOWING TWO INCIDENTS, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT COST $500. ON 2/13/15, THE WEEK AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE PROBLEM REPEATED. I WAS IN DOWNTOWN DENVER TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF TRAFFIC WHILE AVOIDING PEDESTRIANS AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I RETURNED THE CAR TO MEDVED SUZUKI ON 2/16/15. IT HAS BEEN THERE SINCE. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR SUZUKI MOTOR OF AMERICAN CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR RECOMMEND A REPAIR. THEY WANT TO CLOSE THEIR WORK ORDER, HAVE ME PICK UP MY CAR AND RETURN A RENTAL VEHICLE THEY PROVIDED. I ASK YOUR ASSISTANCE TO REQUIRE SUZUKI TO REPLACE OR REPAIR MY CAR WHICH STILL CARRIES A DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. I DO NOT WANT TO BE INJURED OR TO INJURE OTHERS DUE TO UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10715271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE WAS AT A STANDSTILL AT A RED LIGHT. I HAD THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHILE WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR INSTANTANEOUSLY SPED FORWARD AT AN UNCONTROLLABLE HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.
NHTSA complaint #10714289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WIFE AND I JUST LEFT MY MOTHER'S CONDOMINIUM PREMISES, I TURNED RIGHT ON GENEVA AVENUE IN SAN FRANCISCO. AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT 23 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN! THE CAR TOOK OFF, THE ENGINE REVVED UP, BY IT SELF AND SPED UP, EVEN ME MY RIGHT FOOT STEPPING AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKES! I STEERED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT I NEEDED TO HIT THE BUMPER OF A PARKED CAR IN ORDER TO STOP. IN MY OPINION, MY WIFE AND I WERE SUBJECTED BY THIS CAR INTO A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I LEFT A NOTE AND MY PHONE NUMBER ON THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR I HIT, APOLOGIZED, AND ASKED THE DRIVER TO CALL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I THOUGHT THE FRIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE WAS OVER! AFTER I LEFT MY NOTE FOR THE DRIVER OF THE PARKED CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED TO PROCEED. AFTER HALF A BLOCK, THE ENGINE POWERED UP BY ITSELF, AGAIN, AND WAS LAUNCHING FORWARD. I MANAGED, WITH ALL THE FORCE I COULD MUSTER, TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AND STOP ON A RED ZONE. WE DECIDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOMETOWN, 44 MILES AWAY. THE 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA SHOULD BE EXAMINED THOROUGHLY BY THE MANUFACTURER IN MY OPINION, CORRECT THIS HUGE PROBLEM BEFORE IT KILLS. BETTER YET, IT SHOULD BE BOUGHT BACK BY THE MANUFACTURER. OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT BE DRIVING AT 45 MILES, NOT 23, BY THE SIDE OF THE CLIFF. I ADVISED SUZUKI USA ABOUT THIS. THE MATTER IS PENDING. I WAS TOLD NONCHALANTLY BY A RICHARD TRAVIS THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE EXAMINED. THEY WILL TRY TO 'DUPLICATE THE HARROWING EXPERIENCE. I DID NOT FEEL ANY COMPASSION AT ALL FROM SUZUKI.
NHTSA complaint #10714259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD PULLED INTO THE PARKING GARAGE WHERE I WORK AND WAS PULLING INTO MY SPACE. THE CAR REVVED UP AND TOOK OFF. I HIT THE PARKING CURB, FLEW UP AND BACK DOWN CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IT WAS STILL GOING AND WAS GOING TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN I GOT THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED AWAY AND OUT INTO THE MIDDLE WHERE THERE WAS NOTHING AND GOT IT STOPPED. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN WALKING IN THE GARAGE AT THAT TIME I COULD HAVE HIT AND KILLED THEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10500089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST TURNED OVER WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED INTO THE BUSHES TO AVOID A CRASH AND WAS THEN SHUTDOWN WITH THE KEYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,400. UPDATED 04/02/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ARRESTED BECAUSE OF THIS EVENT. UPDATED 04/18/2013
NHTSA complaint #10496904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I ENGAGED MY BRAKES AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT GOING ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN I WAS ABOUT 6 INCHES AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALK CURB (ABOUT 6 INCHES HIGH) WITH MY BRAKES APPLIED FULLY MY VEHICLE REVVED UP REALLY LOUD AND LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED THROUGH A BRICK OFFICE BUILDING. I DID NOT STEP ON THE GAS AT ALL. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10435408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO AN EXISTING RECALL ON MY 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING TWO DAYS AGO, THE THROTTLE CABLE BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I WAS ULTIMATELY ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. AFTERWARD, I DISCOVERED AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM THE SUZUKI DEALER IN 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JANUARY 9, 2004, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2003. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR SUZUKI TO HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. SUZUKI'S NEGLIGENCE PUT ME IN GREAT DANGER AND RESULTED IN TOWING AND OTHER COSTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL WAS PROPERLY HANDLED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI MOTORS OF AMERICA TO DESCRIBE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE ONLY OFFER IT TO FIX THE RECALL ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR ERROR IN SELLING THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL, NOR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADDITIONAL COSTS I'VE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10410869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EARLIER TODAY, 6 MAY 2011, MY MOTHER WAS BEGINNING TO DRIVE OUT OF THE BANK DRIVE-THRU WINDOW WHEN HER VEHICLE TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN UNTIL SHE WAS ABLE TO CRASH IT AGAINST A WALL TO AVOID IMPACTING OTHER CARS AND PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THE AREA. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT FOR THIS VEHICLE, A FEW MONTHS AGO, AGAIN JUST BEGINNING TO MOVE, SPED OUT OF CONTROL IMPACTING THE NEIGHBORS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SUZUKI DEALER FOR A MECHANICAL EVALUATION, BUT NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS FOUND. THAT SAME SUZUKI DEALER HAS BEEN THE ONLY PLACE WHERE SERVICES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON THAT SUV AND I DON'T BUY FOR A SECOND THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AFTER A SECOND INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10399383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT LIFTED HER FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE AND PUMPING THE BRAKE REPEATEDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10371807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUZUKI GRANDVITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A CAR WASH SLOWLY WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER BUT THEY DID ADVISE HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000. UPDATED 01/31/11 *BF UPDATED 03/11/11
NHTSA complaint #10369745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #10344029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT REGARDING RECALL FROM SUZUKI CORPORATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER STATING IT WAS THE SECOND NOTICE, BUT HE NEVER RECEIVED THE FIRST NOTICE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD NEED TO BE PERFORMED BY TRAINED MECHANIC WHICH WAS 80 MILES AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10334873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STARTED THE ENGINE REVVED AS IF IT IS GETTING READY TO TAKE OFF. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR, IT FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. THE SUZUKI MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND CLAIM#2-224423334 WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,888. UPDATED 03/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/19/10
NHTSA complaint #10313372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AT A STOP WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD BEGIN TO REV WITH THE RPM LEVELS VIGOROUSLY FLUCTUATING. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SINCE JUNE 2009. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,330. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
NHTSA complaint #10312651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
( CORRECTED REPORT ) MY WIFE HAD JUST FILLED THE TRUCK UP AT SHEETZ..I WENT TO PULL IT UP AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN GEAR IT TOOK OFF...WENT ABOUT 70 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR AND BRICK WALL..BRAKES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR NOT WORKING..MY WIFE HAD A SIMILAR EVENT THE DAY BEFORE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND WE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT.. THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN !! I WAS NOT INJURED AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE STEET RIGHT IN FRON OF ME!! I FOUND NO RECALLS OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE INTERNET AND NO SIMILAR REPORTS..BUT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED..ACCIDENT IS REPORTED WITH WEST HILLS POLICE JOHNSTOWN PA ..
NHTSA complaint #10292252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WIFE HAD JUST FILLED THE TRUCK UP AT SHEETZ..I WENT TO PULL IT UP AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN GEAR IT TOOK OFF...WENT ABOUT 70 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR AND BRICK WALL..BRAKES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR NOT WORKING..MY WIFE HAD A SIMILAR EVENT THE DAY BEFORE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND WE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT.. THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN !! I WAS NOT INJURED AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE STEER RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!! I FOUND NO RECALLS OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE INTERNET AND NO SIMILAR REPORTS..BUT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED..ACCIDENT IS REPORTED WITH WEST HILLS POLICE JOHNSTOWN PA ..
NHTSA complaint #10292249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WIFE HAD JUST FILLED THE TRUCK UP AT SHEETZ..I WENT TO PULL IT UP AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN GEAR IT TOOK OFF...WENT ABOUT 70 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR AND BRICK WALL..BRAKES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR NOT WORKING..MY WIFE HAD A SIMILAR EVENT THE DAY BEFORE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND WE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT.. THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN !! I WAS NOT INJURED AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE STREET RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!! I FOUND NO RECALLS OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE INTERNET AND NO SIMILAR REPORTS..BUT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED..ACCIDENT IS REPORTED WITH WEST HILLS POLICE JOHNSTOWN PA ..
NHTSA complaint #10292251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.