Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems by Year

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 20, 2026 · 639 owner complaints analyzed

Years with far more complaints than usual:

NHTSA has 639 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls on file for the Suzuki Grand Vitara, across 15 model years (1999–2013). The 2006 model year has the most complaints (161). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.

Peak: 2006, with 161 complaints
1999: 10819991082000: 85852001: 382001382002: 47472003: 292003292004: 882005: 1200512006: 1611612007: 582007582008: 42422009: 142009142010: 20202011: 112011112012: 13132013: 420134

n = 639 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Suzuki Grand Vitara years to avoid? What the complaint data shows

These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Grand Vitara year: 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.

Model years with the most complaints

  1. 2006 Grand Vitara: 161 complaints, 6 recalls
  2. 1999 Grand Vitara: 108 complaints, 4 recalls
  3. 2000 Grand Vitara: 85 complaints, 4 recalls

Model years with the fewest complaints

  1. 2005 Grand Vitara: 1 complaint, 1 recall
  2. 2013 Grand Vitara: 4 complaints, 2 recalls
  3. 2004 Grand Vitara: 8 complaints, 2 recalls

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.

Most common Suzuki Grand Vitara problems (all years)

Problem areaComplaintsModel yearsCrashes
Air Bags problems1341433
Electrical System82152
Exterior Lighting80100
Vehicle Speed Control74918
Fuel System, Gasoline6382
Engine and Engine Cooling4991
Service Brakes, Hydraulic48910
Power Train47132
Steering3786
Suspension3171
Seat Belts3093
Tires2981
Equipment2162
Seats1980
Structure1970
Visibility1860
Engine1261
Wheels1171
Electronic Stability Control (esc)840
Service Brakes851
Fuel/propulsion System650
Latches/locks/linkages660
Child Seat210
Interior Lighting220
Electronic Stability Control110
Fuel System, Other110
Service Brakes, Air110
Service Brakes, Electric110
Visibility/wiper110

Suzuki Grand Vitara problems by model year

Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.

All Suzuki Grand Vitara model years

Model yearComplaintsRecallsCrash ratingTop problemCompared with other years
2013 Grand Vitara42—Air Bags
2012 Grand Vitara132—Air BagsFar fewer complaints than other years
2011 Grand Vitara114—Air BagsFar fewer complaints than other years
2010 Grand Vitara205—Air BagsFewer complaints than other years
2009 Grand Vitara144—Air BagsFar fewer complaints than other years
2008 Grand Vitara422—Exterior LightingMore complaints than other years
2007 Grand Vitara583—Air BagsFar more complaints than other years
2006 Grand Vitara1616—Air BagsFar more complaints than other years
2005 Grand Vitara11—Electrical System
2004 Grand Vitara82—Vehicle Speed Control
2003 Grand Vitara294—Vehicle Speed ControlAbout as many complaints as other years
2002 Grand Vitara474—Vehicle Speed ControlMore complaints than other years
2001 Grand Vitara385—Vehicle Speed ControlMore complaints than other years
2000 Grand Vitara854—Fuel System, GasolineFar more complaints than other years
1999 Grand Vitara1084—Fuel System, GasolineFar more complaints than other years

More from Suzuki: all Suzuki models · VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Which Suzuki Grand Vitara years should you stay away from?

By NHTSA complaints, 1999 (108), 2000 (85), 2006 (161), 2007 (58) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Grand Vitara year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

What is the biggest problem with the Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Air Bags, with 134 complaints across 14 model years.

How many recalls does the Suzuki Grand Vitara have?

15 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.