61 of the
880 complaints filed about the Suzuki Grand Vitara
are about the braking system —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
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.
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.
MY CAR WAS CALLED BACK YEARS AGO BUT NEVER SERVICED . THEY SAID THEY'D CALL NEVER DID. NOW I'M EXPIERIENCING PROBLEMS VITH MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT CAR AND WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING. IT'S A 2001 GRAND VITARA STANDARD AND IT CRANKS BUT WON'T START. IT'S HAPPEND BEFORE. MY GAS PEDDLE GOES ALL THE WAY ON THE FLOOR. DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT. FEELS AS IF A LINE WAS BROKEN. THE CAR USE TO SHIFT TO THE SIDE WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES. CAN YOU HELP? WHAT IS IT? I HAVEN'T BEEN SBLE TO USE MY CAR FOR A WEEK.
NHTSA complaint #10779456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE TWO ISSUES, AND HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES SINCE BUYING THE CAR ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO,WHEN RUNNING THE CAR COLD THE BRAKES DO NOT DEPRESS THE FIRST TIME I BRAKE, IT TAKES ALOT OF FORCE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP, IF IT IS WARMED UP FOR 15 MIN OR SO IT WILL NOT HAVE THE ISSUE, BUT FIGURES IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. MY OTHER ISSUE IS THE HEADLIGHTS, THEY BURN OUT CONSTANTLY, I CHANGE THEN EVER 2 OR SO MONTHS ALTERNATING BETWEEN DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSANGER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10672371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SITTING IN DRIVE. STARTED VEHICLE PUT IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF DRIVE. PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND IT WENT DEAD BUT WAS ROLLING...NO CONTROL,POWER STEERING OUT NO BRAKES.. LET VEHICLE ROLL TO END OF STREET AND PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKES AND IT STOPPED. PUT VEHICLE IN PARK..TURNED OFF SWITCH...ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AGAIN. TURNED THE AIR OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND PUT IN DRIVE AND IT RAN BUT THE GAS PEDAL WAS MORE SENSITIVE THAN USUAL GOT TO THE HOUSE AND PUT IN PARK AND PUT ON E-BRAKE. WAITED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND STARTED THE ENGINE AND TRIED TO RELEASE PARKING BRAKE BUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. TURNED THE AIR ON WITH CAR RUNNING AND IT DIED AGAIN WITHOUT SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. RESTARTED THE CAR AND PUT IN REVERSE TO SEE IF IT WOULD DIE AGAIN AND THE CAR TRIED TO DIE SO I PUT IN PARK AND CUT THE ENGINE OFF AND PARKING BRAKE WOULD STILL NOT RELEASE.
NHTSA complaint #10628285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER STARTING UP MY VEHICLE ON A COLD MORNING THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK IMMEDIATELY. THE FIRST TIME I HIT THEM AFTER PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR AND MOVING THEY DID NOT STOP THE CAR. I STARTED TO ROLL THROUGH THE STOP SIGN, BUT PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND STOPPED. THIS ALSO OCCURRED ON VERY COLD EVENING AT WORK THE TEMPERATURE WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND 10 DEG F. THIS TIME I HAD TO PULL THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. AFTER PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND LETTING THE CAR WARM UP IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10565853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE PURCHASED A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA LUXURY IN 2006. WE HAD THE CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND NOTICED THE BACK TIRES WERE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL, ALSO THERE WAS THIS GRINDING SOUND WHEN YOU BRAKE, IT WAS SPORADIC. FROM 2006 TILL 2012 WE WERE GIVEN DOZENS OF REASONS WHY AND SOLUTIONS FOR A COST, NONE OF THEM FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE LAST COMPLAINT IN 2012 WE REFUSED TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP (ONE OF THE TWO IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT WOULD STILL ALLOW YOU TO BRING IN A SUZUKI) UNTIL WE WERE GIVEN A ANSWER, WE WERE TOLD IT IS A INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE? OVER THE YEARS THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED SO MUCH I CANT COUNT. IS IT THE ESP SYSTEM? AS TIME HAS PASSED IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN LOUDER. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN, WE JUST WANT A ANSWER! SUZUKI KNOWS WHAT IT IS AND THEY ARE NOT TELLING ANYONE, THIS IS NOT ONLY IRRESPONSIBLE IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10546458 — 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.
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.
ESP LIGHT CAME ON, BROUGHT TRUCK TO DEALER, THEY SAY IT HAS A BAD HYDRAULIC BRAKE UNIT AT THE COST OF $1200, SUZUKI WON'T FIX IT EVEN THOUGH THEIR IS ONLY 15101MI ON VEHICLE. MOUSE INFESTATION DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF CABIN BODY VENTS LOCATED BEHIND REAR BUMPER COVER. THERE ARE NO GRILLS IN PLACE OVER THESE VENTS TO KEEP RODENTS OUT, THEY INFESTED THE TRUCK AND HEADLINER AREA URINATING ALL OVER THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND COMPROMISED THEM, I CALLED SUZUKI AND BASICALLY WAS TOLD I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD THIS HAPPENED TO AND BASICALLY DID NOTHING, $4000 IN DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10450849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ESP CONTROL MODULE ILLUMINATED AND THE ABS BRAKING CONTROL ENGAGED AFTER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ESP CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,010. UPDATED 01/24/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, THE STEERING WAS VERY LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST WANTED TO STEER ITSELF. WITHIN IN A FEW WEEKS, THERE WAS HEAVY WET SNOW AND THE ROADS WERE VERY SLUSHY. UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ALMOST BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $1500 TO REPLACE THE MODULE. UPDATED 01/26/12 UPDATED 01/30/12
NHTSA complaint #10436740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TOLD SUZUKI THAT BRAKES WHERE NO GOOD THEY SAID THAT THEY SEEMED FINE A WEEK BEFORE. THE CAR ALSO WOULD SET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ENGAGE AT 0MPH AND GO TO 40RPM WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF BRAKE. THE DEALER SAW NO PROBLEM. I WAS GOING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT 1MILE PER HOUR WHEN THE BRAKES ENTIRELY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10428454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE ENGAGING AND AT TIMES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET THE BRAKES CHECKED, THE PADS WERE FINE, BUT ONE OF THE CALIPERS WAS MISALIGNED. WHEN I TOOK THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IN TO GET THE RECALLED POWER STEERING TENSIONER PULLEY REPLACED, AND FOR SERVICING, THEY LOANED ME A VEHICLE. I ALMOST WENT THOUGH THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE FUNCTIONAL BRAKES OF THE LOANER, ACTUALLY ANY BRAKES ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I DRIVE. IT ALMOST FEELS AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE HAD TO USE MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEARS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. BRAKE SHOES, PADS WHATEVER THEY ARE CALLED ARE FINE. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T THINK THAT SAFETY IS A CONCERN. ALSO, I MIGHT ADD THAT THE REPLACED POWER STEERING TENSIONER PULLEY NOW CREATES A SEVERE KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE (THAT DID NOT EXIST PRIOR TO THE REPLACEMENT). I HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES TO REPAIR ... APPARENTLY, SUZUKI HAS ALSO ISSUED ANOTHER TECHNICAL BULLETIN TO DECREASE THE KNOCKING, BUT IT IS STILL THERE!
NHTSA complaint #10360221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY REAR BRAKES ARE MAKING A LOUD NOICE LIKE METAL AGAINST METAL. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AT SEVERAL PLACES, INCLUDING A SUZUKI DEALERSHIP (WRIGHT SUZUKI) IN ADDITION TO FIRESTONE AND MR. TIRE. ALL THREE SAID MY REAR BRAKES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AS WELL AS THE FRONT. I ALSO REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS TO GO DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER THAN WHAT I PRECIVE AS NORMAL (COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES). THIS STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND I JUST HAD THEM CHECKED AGAIN ON 8/28/10 AT MR. TIRE AGAIN, AND NOTHING IS WRONG. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO WRIGHT SUZUKI TO HAVE ANOTHER RECALL ON THE SAME VECHICLE CERTIFIED THAT I HAD THE WORK DONE EARLIER, ANOTHER SUZUKI GRAND VITARA LIKE MINE WAS PULLING INTO THE SERVICE BAY AND IT'S REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING THE SAME NOICE AS MINE. I SPOKE TO THE OWNER AND HE SAID HIS STARTED ABOUT 2 WEEKS EARLIER AND HE TOO NOTICED HIS BRAKE PEDDLE GOING DOWN FURTHER THAN IT HAD BEFORE. NOW I ONLY HAVE MINE AND THE OTHER SUZUKI OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM, I AM FILING A COMPLAINT TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I'M AFRAID MY BRAKES MAY FAIL WHEN I NEED THEM MOST. I'M TRYING TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE BUT NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10353721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FALL FARTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD THAN USUAL. THE DEALER ORDERED AND WAS AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF A MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE PADS TO REPLACE ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARTS HAD NOT ARRIVED AFTER TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER BLED THE BRAKE LINES AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PARTS HAD ARRIVED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED HER SAFETY WAS IN JEOPARDY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 131,000.
NHTSA complaint #10346060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES ON MY VEHICLE FOUR TIMES IN THREE YEARS AND ALL SUZUKI WILL SAY IS IT IS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM AND A WEAR PROBLEM AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. I HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY ON TIRES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS FOR THIS VEHICLE THAN I CAN AFFORD. AND MY TIRES KEEP GOING BALD WITHIN 12K MILES OR LESS AND I HAVE PUT THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT SUZUKI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND NOT THE TIRES. HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT TAKE TO ROTATE TIRES AND GET ALIGNMENTS ON A NORMAL WORKING VEHICLE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TIRES WEARING OUT TO BALD AND THREADBARE BEFORE A 3K MILE ROTATION IS DONE ON THEM. VEHICLE ALSO SKIDS ON WET ROADS AND ALIGNMENTS KEEP GOING OUT ON VEHICLE AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED ANY MORE. ALSO IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN FIRST STARTING TO DRIVE VEHICLE. MECHANICS SAID BRAKES ARE FINE BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND HELP US FOLKS THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING TIRES EVERY TIME WE TURN AROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10297846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL AND GRINDING FROM FRONT RIGHT OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL. YET WHEN I DRIVE MY 07 KIA I ALMOST SEND MYSELF THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD EVERYTIME I PRESS ON THE BRAKES (SAME THING APPLIES WHEN I DRIVE MY 1988 C2500) BECAUSE I'M SO USE TO HAVING TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND MULTIPLE TIMES. I'M SURE THIS ISN'T NORMAL. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T THINK THAT SAFETY IS A CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #10246778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKE ADJUSTMENT PIN IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE SPRING THAT HELD THE WHEEL IN PLACE FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED IT TO MOVE FREELY INSIDE THE BRAKE DRUM. THE SPRING FLIPPED UP AND CAUSED THE BRAKE SHOE, DRUM, AND BRAKING KIT TO FAIL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, AAMCO INSPECTED THE REAR AND FRONT BRAKES AND STATED THAT THEY WERE 50% WORN. THE CONTACT PLACED THE WHEEL BACK ON THE VEHICLE AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY SIX BLOCKS WHEN HE HEARD THE NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO AAMCO BECAUSE THE GRINDING NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD. AAMCO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE INSPECTION. THE CONTACT CALLED SUZUKI'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE TO FIND OUT IF THE FAILURE WAS COMMON. SUZUKI STATED THAT NO ONE COULD TALK TO THEIR TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT UNLESS THEY WERE A DEALER. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE SUZUKI DEALER SO THAT THEY COULD CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 31,734.
NHTSA complaint #10216603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.