Owners have filed 63 complaints
about the 1999 Suzuki Vitara with NHTSA between 1999 and 2010.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 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 — 65
Against the median year of the Suzuki Vitara. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 49
9.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 21
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Front
626.1%
Engine
417.4%
Switch
313.0%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
28.7%
Floor Shift Assembly
28.7%
AIR Conditioner
28.7%
Gasoline
28.7%
Frame AND Members
28.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
112.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
112.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
562.5%
150,000+ miles
112.5%
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.
Jan 1999peak 7Aug 2010
Recalls on the 1999 Suzuki 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.
United States — NHTSA
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
99V273002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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."
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS FOLLOWING CLOSELY, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
99V155000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
99V154000
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
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.
Risk: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR DUE TO THE PINCHED WIRES.
98V324002
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2002208567 units in Canada
Other
CMVSS 115 requires that certain information be uniquely identified in the vehicle identification number (VIN). One such item is the engine type. This particular vehicle configuration has two available engines, 1.6L and 2.0L. Both vehicle configurations have been labelled with the same VIN prefix that being "2S3TA52C". This was the correct VIN prefix for the 2.0L model. All 1.6L models should have been encoded with the VIN prefix "2S3TA03C". Correction: As this does not present a safety risk and there are no possibilities that a VIN could have been applied in duplicate, no corrective measures will be taken.
Recall 20000072,350 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. Vehicles may have an inoperative brake lamp-actuating switch. If this switch does not function properly when the brake pedal is depressed, the brake lights may not come on. Correction: Brake lamp-actuating switch will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Flomaton, ALCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A TRUCK AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A TORN LIGAMENT TO HER ARM, SKIN TISSUE INJURIES, AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/08/10 * BF UPDATED 11/10/10
NHTSA complaint #10348236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vero Beach, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10101255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beatrice, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERHOOD. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #874445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cresson, PACrash
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 5-10 MPH GOING AROUND A LEFT HAND CURVE WHEN STEERING SPINDLE FAILED ,COMPLETLY SNAPPED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.CONSUMER CLAIMED IT WAS ALREADY 1/3 SNAPPED, DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #862312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Flomaton, ALCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A TRUCK AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A TORN LIGAMENT TO HER ARM, SKIN TISSUE INJURIES, AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/08/10 * BF UPDATED 11/10/10
NHTSA complaint #10348236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 235,300 milesGrafton, WI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN AN EMERGENCY STOP TO AVOID HITTING A DEER RUNNING ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR.ANCHOR FOR THE RIGHT "A" ARM IS RUSTED OUT IN THE FRAME FRONT CROSS MEMBER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DIVE TO THE LEFT AND INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO AVOID HITTING A DEER CROSSING THE ROAD. FRAME CROSS MEMBER AND RELATED PARTS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS NOW UNSTABLE GOING DOWN THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10323384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesSherburne, NY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON MY 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. THE CHEVROLET TRACKER, WHICH IS THE SAME CAR HAS HAD A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN!
NHTSA complaint #10238726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesSherburne, NY
SUSPENSION
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON MY 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. THE CHEVROLET TRACKER, WHICH IS THE SAME CAR HAS HAD A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN!
NHTSA complaint #10238726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesSherburne, NY
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REPAIRING THE BRAKES, HE DISCOVERED CORROSION ON THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER (FRAME). THE CONTACT IS A MECHANIC AND STATED THAT IF THE FRAME COMES APART, IT CAN CAUSE THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO FAIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 128,000.
NHTSA complaint #10238761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesNEW Bedford, MA
STEERING:COLUMN
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 MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10233633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGettysburg, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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....
NHTSA complaint #10103801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vero Beach, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10101255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warwick, RI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
NHTSA complaint #10098924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6 milesPhoenix, AZ
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10065816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE LIGHTS KEPT BLOWING OUT ON THEIR OWN. THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED SIX TIMES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10053379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,214 milesMiddlebury, VT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #10042021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Iron Station, NC
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10020833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FROM DAY ONE, THE BELT ON THE CAR MADE A CHIRPING NOISE. THE CAR HAD GONE BACK TO THE DEALER ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS-AND AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE BELT HAS BEEN CHANGED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUES. WHEN IT RAINS, IT GETS A VERY LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DELAER AT LEAST TWICE, AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SENSOR, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS FINE. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON OCCASSIONALLY OFF AND ON. I HAD CONSISTENT OIL CHANGES AND SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE, BUT LAST WEEK, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STARTING FLASHING. COME TO FIND OUT, THE #3 CYLINDER GOING INTO THE ENGINE WAS GONE. I WAS TOLD THIS HAD TO BE AND ON-GOING PROBLEM-IT DID NOT HAPPEN OVER NIGHT. EVIDENTLY, THERE WAS A PROBLEM EXACTLY ALL THE TIMES THE LIGHT CAME ON. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO PAY OVER $2000 TO GET THE CAR FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #762686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
FROM DAY ONE, THE BELT ON THE CAR MADE A CHIRPING NOISE. THE CAR HAD GONE BACK TO THE DEALER ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS-AND AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE BELT HAS BEEN CHANGED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUES. WHEN IT RAINS, IT GETS A VERY LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DELAER AT LEAST TWICE, AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SENSOR, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS FINE. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON OCCASSIONALLY OFF AND ON. I HAD CONSISTENT OIL CHANGES AND SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE, BUT LAST WEEK, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STARTING FLASHING. COME TO FIND OUT, THE #3 CYLINDER GOING INTO THE ENGINE WAS GONE. I WAS TOLD THIS HAD TO BE AND ON-GOING PROBLEM-IT DID NOT HAPPEN OVER NIGHT. EVIDENTLY, THERE WAS A PROBLEM EXACTLY ALL THE TIMES THE LIGHT CAME ON. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO PAY OVER $2000 TO GET THE CAR FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #762686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE SWERVES AT ANY SPEED, IT'S DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE, ALIGNMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE AND TIRES WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8010003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carteret, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, CONSUMER WILL ATTACH COPY TO COMPLAINT FORM FOR FUEL PIPE HOSE IN THE BEGINNING OF JULY, DEALER NOTIFIED CONSUMER TWICE ON 7-25-01, AND 8-20-01 BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALER NAME SANSONES, AUTO MALL RT 21, WOODBRIDGE PHONE# 732-815-0500.*AK CONSUMER STATES AS OF OCTOBER 4,2001 NO ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY DEALER TO REPLACED PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #894747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SINCE PURCHASE CAR HAS EXHIBITED SERIOUS VIBRATION THROUGHOUT VEHICLE AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND CRUISE CONTROL UNIT OPERATES ERRATICALLY AFTER A DOWNSHIFT IS REQUIRED-SUZUKI FACTORY REPRESENATIVE ORIGINALLY SAID A NEW TYPE ECM WOULD CORRECT THE CONDITIONS BUT LATER SAID NO SUCH PART EXISTED AFTER THE DEALER HAD ORDERED IT AND WAITED TWO MONTHS FOR IT TO BE DELIVERED AND INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE- SUZUKI SUBSEQUENTLY AUTHORIZED BALANCING THE TIRES, REPLACING THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE, REPLACING THE DRIVESHAFT, AND REPAIRING THE DIFFERENTIAL, AND INSPECTION OF THE FRAME AND CROSSMEMBERS ALL TO NO AVAIL AS THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST AND ARE GETTING WORSE. I HAVE EXPRESSED TO SUZUKI MY CONCERN OF A CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIBRATION AND METAL FATIGUE AND COMPONENT FAILURE AND MY CONCERN AS TO THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE AND SUZUKI RESPONDED TO THE DEALERSHIP BY TELEPHONE ON 07/27/01 INSTRUCTING THE DEALER TO MAKE NO REPAIR ATTEMPT AS THE VEHICLE IS "OPERATING AS DESIGN AND INTENT". ON THAT SAME DAY ANOTHER SUZUKI VITARA OWNER WAS AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER(TOM COLGLAZIER) AND ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER(STEVE COOK) THAT SUZUKI WOULD AUTHORIZE NO REPAIR ATTEMPTS TO THEIR VEHICLE EITHER. AS SUZUKI IS UNWILLING TO VOLUNTARILY CORRECT THESE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSSUES CONCERNING THEIR VIATRA PRODUCT LINE I FEEL AN INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE RECALL ACTION IS WARRANTED.
NHTSA complaint #749240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SINCE PURCHASE CAR HAS EXHIBITED SERIOUS VIBRATION THROUGHOUT VEHICLE AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND CRUISE CONTROL UNIT OPERATES ERRATICALLY AFTER A DOWNSHIFT IS REQUIRED-SUZUKI FACTORY REPRESENATIVE ORIGINALLY SAID A NEW TYPE ECM WOULD CORRECT THE CONDITIONS BUT LATER SAID NO SUCH PART EXISTED AFTER THE DEALER HAD ORDERED IT AND WAITED TWO MONTHS FOR IT TO BE DELIVERED AND INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE- SUZUKI SUBSEQUENTLY AUTHORIZED BALANCING THE TIRES, REPLACING THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE, REPLACING THE DRIVESHAFT, AND REPAIRING THE DIFFERENTIAL, AND INSPECTION OF THE FRAME AND CROSSMEMBERS ALL TO NO AVAIL AS THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST AND ARE GETTING WORSE. I HAVE EXPRESSED TO SUZUKI MY CONCERN OF A CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIBRATION AND METAL FATIGUE AND COMPONENT FAILURE AND MY CONCERN AS TO THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE AND SUZUKI RESPONDED TO THE DEALERSHIP BY TELEPHONE ON 07/27/01 INSTRUCTING THE DEALER TO MAKE NO REPAIR ATTEMPT AS THE VEHICLE IS "OPERATING AS DESIGN AND INTENT". ON THAT SAME DAY ANOTHER SUZUKI VITARA OWNER WAS AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER(TOM COLGLAZIER) AND ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER(STEVE COOK) THAT SUZUKI WOULD AUTHORIZE NO REPAIR ATTEMPTS TO THEIR VEHICLE EITHER. AS SUZUKI IS UNWILLING TO VOLUNTARILY CORRECT THESE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSSUES CONCERNING THEIR VIATRA PRODUCT LINE I FEEL AN INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE RECALL ACTION IS WARRANTED.
NHTSA complaint #749240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH VEHICLE STARTS TO RATTLE AND SHAKE. IT SEEMS AS IF CAR IS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL. HAVE BEEN COMPLAING SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE BUT NO RESOLUTION AS OF YET. DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE AND CAR LOOSE CONTROL. WOULD LIKE FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO SEE IF PROBLEM WOULD CAUSE CRASH. I HAVE NOT HAD A RESPONSE FROM SUZUKI AS OF YET.
NHTSA complaint #748426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blackwood, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR AXLE BROKE AND TIRE COMPLETELY CAME OFF, CAUSE UNKNOWN. NO COLLISION/ INJURIES OCCURRED. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. IT WOULD BLOW HOT INSTEAD OFF COOL AIR. TOOK VEHICLE TO GET PART FOR AIR CONDITIONER & WAS INFORMED THAT PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND ON BACK ORDER.
NHTSA complaint #889190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lovettetown, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY SINCE PURCHASE DATE, WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO 5TH GEAR, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT WOULD TAKE THREE WEEKS FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO COME IN AND ONE WEEK TO REPLACE, WHEN CONSUMER PICKED UP VEHICLE HE WAS TOLD THAT A RECIEPT WAS UNAVAILABLE AND ONE YEAR LATER WHEN HE OBTAINED A RECIEPT STATING THAT TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND NOT REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES BETWEEN 3-23-2000 AND 3-16-2001 IT BECAOME DIFFUCULT TO DOWN SHIFT INTO 3RD GEARAND IMPOSSIBLE TO GO INTO REVERSE.
NHTSA complaint #887679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheyenne, WY
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PRESSED THE ENGINE WILL DIE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10+ TIMES SINCE 2/2000. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND DESPITE 6 RETURNS TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT OR LEAVING THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING LOCKS AND THE BRAKES GET VERY HARD TO DEPRESS. I HAVE GONE THROUGH AT LEAST ONE RED LIGHT OUT OF CONTROL AS A RESULT. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #744004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ansonia, CT
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PLASTIC USED IN THE DOOR TRIMS IS VERY BRITTLE. SUZUKI SAYS IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. THERE IS NO SUPPORT UNDER IT.
NHTSA complaint #738303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.