2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Suzuki › Grand Vitara › 2002
These records cover every 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Newest first.
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 16-inch wheels, the front brake discs may break under severe driving conditions. the breakage can occur in conditions where the vehicle IS driven on a regular basis on extremely steep paved down-slopes while continuously applying the brakes.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The front brakes may become inoperative and the vehicle may pull to one side. this could result in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front brake discs on these vehicles. the recall began on november 10, 2005. these vehicles are located on st. Thomas island (virgin islands). owners may contact suzuki del caribe at 787-622-0600.
On certain passenger vehicles, under ambient temperatures below -25 degrees celsius, moisture can freeze in the fuel pressure regulator. as a result, fuel system pressure may increase at the time of engine start up, causing fuel loss at the fuel pipe/fuel hose connection.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel loss in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pressure regulator, the fuel deliver hose and replace the hose clamp with an improved clamp. the recall began on september 29, 2004. owners should contact suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable casing cap that IS attached to the vehicle firewall can crack due to extended exposure to forces from the accelerator cable and insufficient long-term durability of the plastic casing cap. if the casing cap becomes cracked, movement of the inner accelerator cable through the cap can cause the inner…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the inner accelerator cable becomes frayed, it can stick during vehicle operation. in the case where an accelerator cable sticks, the driver could have difficulty controlling vehicle speed, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the accelerator cable, which includes the plastic casing cap. owner notification began on january 5, 2004. owners should contact suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
Certain passenger (111 my 2002 esteem, 777 my 2002 aerio, 2,368 my 2003 aerio) and sport utility (324 my 2002 grand vitara, 274 my 2003 grand vitara, 684 my 2002 grand vitara XL-7, and 781 my 2003 grand vitara XL-7) vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, 'windshield mounting." the windshield may not…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the windshield IS not properly secured, it may separate from the vehicle during a crash which could result in the ejection of unbelted occupants, increasing the risk of severe injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect these vehicles. vehicles that are found to have insufficient paint adhesion will either have the problem remedied by repainting, or will be replaced, or repurchased and destroyed. owner notification began on july 8, 2003. owners should contact suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
Owner complaints
47 complaints7 involved a crash3 involved a fire5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags · Seat belts
TL* the contact owned a 2002 suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated while making a right turn onto a bridge during inclement weather conditions from a stop sign, control of the vehicle was lost causing a crash into a cement wall. The contact could not gain control of the steering wheel and her…
TL* the contact owned a 2002 suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated while making a right turn onto a bridge during inclement weather conditions from a stop sign, control of the vehicle was lost causing a crash into a cement wall. The contact could not gain control of the steering wheel and her body lunged forward onto the steering wheel as the seat belt did not retract. the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. A police report was filed (number 19005490). The contact was taken by an ambulance to the emergency room for her multiple injuries. The contact sustained a broken sternum and multiple teeth, injured her chest wall, both left and right knees and neck. The contact stated she had suffered from pneumonia and was seeking treatment by a neurologist and seek medical attention for her left knee. The vehicle was not drivable and was totaled. The vehicle was towed to unknown lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
- Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 2002 suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated that when at a stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle's engine would begin to rev with the rpm levels vigorously fluctuating. She noticed the problem on three different occasions since june 2009. She took the vehicle to…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated that when at a stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle's engine would begin to rev with the rpm levels vigorously fluctuating. She noticed the problem on three different occasions since june 2009. She took the vehicle to the dealership and the dealer stated that they could not find a cause for the failures. She called the manufacturer and was instructed to take the vehicle to the dealership. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 59,330. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
- Tires
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 suzuki grand vitara. until recently, the contact has never used the tiger paw spare tire that came with the vehicle. while driving 60 mph on a busy highway, a tire blew out with a loud pop. the driver was able to maneuver the vehicle off of the road to safety. the…
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 suzuki grand vitara. until recently, the contact has never used the tiger paw spare tire that came with the vehicle. while driving 60 mph on a busy highway, a tire blew out with a loud pop. the driver was able to maneuver the vehicle off of the road to safety. the fender was damaged due to the tire and how it detached from the vehicle. the tire size was unknown. the failure and current mileages exceeded 200,000. updated 01/14/09. *Jb
- Power train
2002 suzuki vitara with transmission failure. Consumer states that the vehicle will go into reverse with no help from the driver and other times it will lock up and not go into reverse. She also states that it has caused damage to personal property. *kb the consumer stated when the third incident occurred, the vehicle locked up and would not go into reverse. *Jb
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
My 2002 suzuki grand vitara (limited 4WD) was involved in a single car accident when the cruise control was engaged on the highway at 55 mph. It was a hilly stretch of highway near pittsville, mo and there was a light dusting of snow just starting to fall. The cruise control made the car jump into…
My 2002 suzuki grand vitara (limited 4WD) was involved in a single car accident when the cruise control was engaged on the highway at 55 mph. It was a hilly stretch of highway near pittsville, mo and there was a light dusting of snow just starting to fall. The cruise control made the car jump into a lower gear when ascending a hill to keep it at 55 mph. The rpm's jumped from about 2,000 to 5,000 when the car shifted into 3RD gear - which caused the tires to lose traction and I wrecked into 2 highway sign posts and skidded sideways about 50 yards into the center median. It was a miracle that I didn't roll over several times. It cost me $5,000 in collision damage to fix the car. The cruise control does this all the time still when even on moderate hills to keep up with the set mph. It IS a design flaw in my opinion. I have never had a car that needed to jump up to over 5,000 rpm's just to go 65 mph and stay up with the set cruise speed. Thanks. Dws *tr
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Seat belts › Rear/other
I am writing about the seat belts in my 2002 suzuki grand vitara. The passenger seat belt frequently locks up and doesn't allow the person wearing it to move. I find it very annoying and potentially unsafe as whoever IS in that seat usually ends up unbuckling it and not putting it back on. This…
I am writing about the seat belts in my 2002 suzuki grand vitara. The passenger seat belt frequently locks up and doesn't allow the person wearing it to move. I find it very annoying and potentially unsafe as whoever IS in that seat usually ends up unbuckling it and not putting it back on. This also happens in the rear seats, although it isn't as much of a problem as I generally don't have rear passengers. I also have a problem with both front belts not retracting fully when we exit the vehicle, I checked with the dealer, but replacing the retractor was quite expensive and I feel this IS a defect as seat belts should last longer then a few years. *nm
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Dt: the consumer stated the front driver's side seat belt buckle assembly broke. the seat belt will not lock . has not taken the vehicle to a dealer. *Ak updated 12/07/05. *Jb
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
While driving consumer 2002 grand vitara air compressor failed. *ts the consumer requested reimbursement. *sc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings · Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
Dt: the consumer stated there was a loud popping sound while driving at 35-40 mph. this happened without warning and no previous problems. the consumer inspected the vehicle because she thought she may have run over something. there was no evidence of this, and she proceeded. afterwards, the…
Dt: the consumer stated there was a loud popping sound while driving at 35-40 mph. this happened without warning and no previous problems. the consumer inspected the vehicle because she thought she may have run over something. there was no evidence of this, and she proceeded. afterwards, the brakes were hard to apply. again the popping noise became more prominent after applying brake pressure. the consumer inspected the vehicle again and discovered nothing at that time. the popping noise continued along with hard braking, and the vehicle was pulling to the right in which they stated that the rear brakes failed along with the struts. the entire hardware including the shoes and the drums were destroyed. The mechanic could not diagnose why this problem occurred. the vehicle was currently in the shop for repairs. *ak (11/23/05) the consumer was informed that the cables had broken loose and the rear brakes could self destruct. *Sc
- Service brakes, hydraulic
At speed of 55 mph on a highway, I was cut off by another vehicle. I had to apply my brakes quickly, and much to my shock, the car went sideways and slammed into a steel divider. this caused body damage to my vehicle to the entire passenger side - from front to back and everything in between. I have not had any repairs done as of yet. *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Fuel door fell off again!!!!
- Fuel system, gasoline
Gasoline fuel door fell off for no reason, as far I can tell, all the hardware that would secure fuel door IS still there. I have seen other suzuki's with the same thing. *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Suzuki taken to dealer 3 times for ignition locked and 2 times for the 4WD problem. *bf when the consumer took the vehicle to another dealer for the second time regarding the 4-wheel it was determined that the failure was internal located in the front differential assembly. *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
The pedals are to close, causing the consumer to simultaneously depress the brake/accelerator pedal. The dealership will be notified. The cause was not determined. Please provide more information. *nm
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Consumer applied the accelerator pedal and vehicle failed to move. afterwards the vehicle accelerated hesitantly on its own. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem happened more than once, and had not been resolved. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Exterior lighting › Turn signal · Service brakes, hydraulic
Response to a letter the consumer received in regards to selling her 2002 suzuki grand vitara. *ph the vehicle was taken to the dealer because the vehicle would pull while braking, a speaker was blown, none of the directional signals worked and the check engine light was on. when the consumer picked the vehicle up from the dealer none of the problems had been repaired. *nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
There was a vibration coming from the brakes. The rotors had completely warped. *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline
Consumer received a recall notice(04v427000) for the fuel pressure regulator. no parts were available. *Jb
- Fuel system, gasoline
Consumer stated she received a recall notice (campaign #0442700), but when she took her vehicle to the dealer for the repair she was told that they are back logged. they also told her that they do not know when they will receive the parts to do the recall. the dealer also told her that they have…
Consumer stated she received a recall notice (campaign #0442700), but when she took her vehicle to the dealer for the repair she was told that they are back logged. they also told her that they do not know when they will receive the parts to do the recall. the dealer also told her that they have called the manufacturer and was told that they do not know when they will sent the part. the dealership name IS bell road suzuki 999 w bell rd phoenix, az 85023 602 993 3322. please help. *jb
- Structure › Body
While driving 65 mph and pushing in the cigarette lighter lighter popped out and landed into some tissue, which caught on fire. Consumer was able to pull the vehicle over and extinguish the fire. Dealer was notified. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control › Cables
The vehicle intermittently began to rapidly accelerate when engaged from neutral to drive. the dealership inspected the vehicle four times and replaced the cable accelerator. *ak the first occasion occurred as the consumer placed the vehicle into drive and the vehicle went flying into the…
The vehicle intermittently began to rapidly accelerate when engaged from neutral to drive. the dealership inspected the vehicle four times and replaced the cable accelerator. *ak the first occasion occurred as the consumer placed the vehicle into drive and the vehicle went flying into the next parking space. the consumer pressed the brake to the floor, but the vehicle continued on. the vehicle was placed into neutral, but nothing changed, the engine continued racing. the consumer waited a few minutes and the vehicle was started again and was back to normal. on the second occasion, the vehicle was started and placed into drive and exact same thing occurred, but only this time, the vehicle was shut off and started back again in full throttle. on the third occasion, when the shifter was placed into drive, the engine began to race. the brake was applied and the shifter was placed in neutral but the vehicle continued to race. *sc *jb
- Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
2002 suzuki grand vitara. Drivers heated seat wiring fire.*jb
- Vehicle speed control › Cables
Replacement parts were not available to perfrom recall repairs.*mr *jb *nm
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system · Tires
While driving at any speed and hitting a bump in the road lost steering wheel control. Also, front tires were not aligned, and the inner part of the tires wore out prematurely.*ak
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Consumer received on january 2004 nhtsa recall 03v512000 regarding accelerator cable casing cap that was attached to the vehicle firewall could crack due to extended exposure to forces from the accelerator cable, and insufficient long term durability of the plastic casing cap. the dealership still did not have the parts available to conduct the recall.*ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10216558Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
- 10152052This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.
- 10019614Exhaust noise can be heard from under the vehicle.
- 10017455Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure.
- 10015910Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure. 1999-2005 suzuki vitara sq420/sq625l, grand vitara sq625w, and XL-7 ja627
- 10007522Oil leaking from left front of engine.
- 10006242Revised repair procedure for air conditioner compressor replacement.
- 10001717Loud chain rattling noise from right front of engine behind the timing cover.
- 10001714Revised repair procedure for air conditioner evaporator freeze-up during use.
- 10001707Oil weepage/seepage from left front of engine.
- 10001699Revised repair procedure for air conditioner evaporator freeze-up during use.
- 10001698Oil level reads at low mark on oil level dip stick. 1999 - 2003 vitara/grand vitara/xl-7.
Every Suzuki Grand Vitara model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.