Suzuki Vitara Problems by Year
NHTSA has 115 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file for the Suzuki Vitara, across 6 model years (1999–2004). The 1999 model year has the most complaints (50). The most reported problem area overall is suspension.
Suzuki Vitara years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Vitara year: 1999, 2000, 2001. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1999 Vitara: 50 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2000 Vitara: 35 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Vitara: 27 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2002 Vitara: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2003 Vitara: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2004 Vitara: 1 complaint, 1 recall
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 Vitara problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 27 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 26 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 18 | 3 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 8 | 3 | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Equipment | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Tires | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Suzuki Vitara model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Vitara | 1 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2003 Vitara | 1 | 0 | — | Structure | |
| 2002 Vitara | 1 | 0 | — | Suspension | |
| 2001 Vitara | 27 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 Vitara | 35 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 Vitara | 50 | 4 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Suzuki: all Suzuki models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Suzuki Vitara years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1999 (50), 2000 (35), 2001 (27) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 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 Vitara?
Suspension, with 27 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Suzuki Vitara have?
5 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.