2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Grand Vitara years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 10th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. That ranks 10th out of 15 Grand Vitara model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (3 complaints, 21%), typically at around 21,500 miles. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 14owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 | 21% | 21,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 21% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 21% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 21% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 21% | 78,630 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 14% | 91,869 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 14% | 62,700 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 7% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 7% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 7% | 88,259 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification; seats
Problem: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.
Power train:manual transmission
Problem: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being able to be changed.
Risk: If the transmission cannot be shifted, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VZ.
Air bags
Problem: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
Risk: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Problem: Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 suzuki grand vitara multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines; model year 2011 suzuki grand vitara multipurpose passenger vehicles produced prior to october 17, 2010; model year 2010 suzuki sx4 passenger vehicles; and 2011 suzuki sx4 passenger vehicles produced prior to october 14, 2010. The tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt that operates the alternator, water pump, air conditioner compressor and power steering pump, has an improperly manufactured internal spring that can break due to repeated stress. If the spring breaks, the drive belt will not be adjusted properly and can slip, causing a squeaking noise. Or the drive belt could come off causing the driver to increase to steer the vehicle. This can also cause the coolant temperature indication to rise, which can lead to the engine overheating, or can cause the charging light to come on, which can lead to battery discharge and engine stall.
Risk: If the drive belt comes off, requiring the driver to use increased steering effort, or the engine stalls, a vehicle crash could occur
Fix: Dealers will replace the tension adjuster pulley with an improved part. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 16, 2011. Owners may contact suzuki at 1-887-697-8985 or visit suzuki's website at http://www.suzukiauto.com.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Occupant Classification System Failure (PE13021) — opened Jun 14, 2013, closed Sep 30, 2013, led to recall 13V405000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The power steering pump drive-belt tension adjustable pulley- has been compromised ... And effects my ac. While researching i found the 2006 - 2012 models were effected as well, causing a recall..vehicle was in park- and would not start.. Turned off ac and she finally turned over.. After i let her…
No word abs and esp,
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…
The unit have been consuming coolant in excess.after a profesional inspection was detected a crack in the engine block.this is exactly the situation cover in the suzuki extensions of the warranty by the manufacturer.your recall bulletin exactly describe my situation.please clarify the suzuki…
While driving, noticed air conditioning would be cool then hot for about 3-5 minutes and cool again then hot again and repeat. Turned off the ac when i noticed the engine temperature indicator getting hotter. Took the car to a mechanic. He performed pressure test on cooling system and found engine…
Other Suzuki Grand Vitara years
← 2008 Grand Vitara · 2010 Grand Vitara →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Grand Vitara | 4 | 2 |
| 2012 Grand Vitara | 13 | 2 |
| 2011 Grand Vitara | 11 | 4 |
| 2010 Grand Vitara | 20 | 5 |
| 2009 | 14 | 4 |
| 2008 Grand Vitara | 42 | 2 |
| 2007 Grand Vitara | 58 | 3 |
| 2006 Grand Vitara | 161 | 6 |
| 2005 Grand Vitara | 1 | 1 |
| 2004 Grand Vitara | 8 | 2 |
| 2003 Grand Vitara | 29 | 4 |
| 2002 Grand Vitara | 47 | 4 |
| 2001 Grand Vitara | 38 | 5 |
| 2000 Grand Vitara | 85 | 4 |
| 1999 Grand Vitara | 108 | 4 |
See all Suzuki Grand Vitara problems by year, every Suzuki model, or the VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, electronic stability control (esc) problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 3 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Grand Vitara model years, the 2009 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.