2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving my car home from the park it was raining a little bit suddenly my steering wheel star going the left, I hit the brake and the left side of my car fall down and the car stop completely, I check the wheel and it was about to come out. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2007
“Problem with vehicle accelerating backwards when trying to park. *mr the vehicle hit a steel beam. The problem was due to the accelerator cable. (suzuki xl 7) *sc the c onsumer stated the vehicle had just been serviced for a recall regarding the accelrator cable. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2004
“While driving 15 mph accelerator pedal stuck. As a result, vehicle lost control and collided into a wall barrier. No injuries reported. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2003
Show 5 more owner reports
“The brakes on the car failed, the brake pedal was pressed and it went all the way to the floor but the car will not stop. The hand brake was pulled and the car was directed out of the road into the grass to make it stop. *jb the distance was measured and it was 75 feet from the point where the brake was applied to the point the car stopped. The car was going 35-40 mph. The driver finally got the car to stop by pulling the hand break but the car hit the bumper hit the rear of pick up truck in front and the tow hitch of the pick up truck cracked the front bumper of the car the car is brand new and has 1300 miles only on the car. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2003
“Dt: the brakes are squeaking, and the technician cannot find the cause of the problem. The brake pads were replaced and were still squeaking. The front shocks were replaced, but the technician said the rear shocks not working well, and this was normal. Air conditioner (a/c) was not cooling. The vehicle does not feel safe anymore.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2003
“Failure on brakes, accelerator, alarm, lights and problems with the carpet. *mr the brakes and accelerator were recalled. The brakes made a loud noise when turning the steering wheel. The alarmed failed. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer about ten times in reference to the alarm. The door ajar chime did not work. The carpet was loose. The consumer had to wait two months before it was fixed. *nm”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“Based on the consequences of not getting the recall work performed, the consumer want the work done or another suzuki grand vitara. *ph problems with alarm system as well as vehicle cutting off and loss of control. *mr”Owner report · Electrical System
“Consumer received a recall notice, and made 3 separate appointments. All were cancelled because parts were not available to service vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT APPLIED DURING THE SECOND-STAGE PAINTING PROCESS AND THE PAINT APPLIED DURING FINAL-STAGE PAINTING.
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE IGNITION SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS IS ROUTED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE HARNESS CAN RUB AGAINST THE MANIFOLD DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND ABRASION DAMAGE TO THE HARNESS CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR ANY WIRING HARNESS DAMAGE AND WILL ADD ADDITIONAL INSULATION AND A PROTECTOR PLATE TO PREVENT THE WIRING HARNESS FROM BECOMING DAMAGED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Vitara XL-7 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.
Does the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.