1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 108 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (19% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, she would hear a loud squeaking noise. Also when she made turns at low speeds, the noise gets louder. The vehicle was inspected by several independent mechanics and they were unable to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 suzuki grand vitara. While driving approximately 5 mph, a fuel odor emitted inside the vehicle. When the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered fuel leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 01v146000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 04v427000 (fuel system, gasoline), but was not diagnosed or repaired to due the mileage of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 163,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2008
“When I brake my car pulls to one side and loses control. It is like it is on ice and one time it spun around, even thought I was going slow. My car is regularly maintained. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly loses complete engine power at highway speeds and vehicle speed rapidly drops to under 10 mph. Engine runs very rough and there is no response when depressing accelerator pedal. Must immediately pull over (if possible) as vehicle is not drivable. After waiting several minutes, engine operation returns to normal but power loss will usually reoccur anytime as quickly as within the next several minutes or as long as a day or two. Engine power loss may last as little as a minute or two or for several minutes and check engine light comes on. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2005
“Dt: the contact received NHTSA recall 04v427000l for the fuel system pressure regulator first in 2004. When calling the dealer she left a message on their answering machine, and they did not call her back. She received a second recall notice . Again, she left a message with the dealer's answering machine and no one has called her back. When trying to call the manufacturer she was unable to get through their phone system. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Nov 2005
“Consumer complaint regarding there no longer being a suzuki dealer in his area and can not get recall work done. *ts *the consumer requested that suzuki could make arrangements for the installation of the safety recall. The consumer would have to drive 120 miles in order to have the vehicle repaired. *sc”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2005
“While driving approximately 40 mph consumer lost control of vehicle. It then skidded and flipped over, hitting the front first. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2005
“Consumer was driving up a steep hill and when approaching the top of the hill he gradually pressed on the brakes, as well as letting the gas go, for some reason instead of the vehicle stopping, it kept going with increased speeds. Consumer had to turn the vehicle off in order to stop. When attempting to restart the vehicle it jumped and accelerated without pressing the gas. There were no injuries. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2004
“The engine suddenly started making a loud noise as if the muffler was broken. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and indicated that the exhaust pipe was broken where it comes out from the engine. *jb mechanic indicz=ated that problem was very common for suzuki. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2004
“While driving engine made loud rattling noise and failed.. Aaa called to tow vehicle. Upon inspection by independent mechanic determined timing chain failed. Was mentioned that this was a common failure with this particular vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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 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 ACCELERATOR CABLE TO BECOME FRAYED.
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.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: STEEL REPLACEMENT WHEELS, PART NO. 4310-665D21-27S, USED FOR SPARE PARTS ON 1999-2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA AND 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED WHEELS WERE PRODUCED FROM JULY 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2000. THE THICKNESS OF THE STEEL WHEEL INBOARD OF THE AREA WHERE THE WHEEL RIM IS WELDED TO THE WHEEL DISK IS LESS THAN THE DESIGN SPECIFICATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED TO REMOVE ANY OF THESE AFFECTED WHEELS FROM THE STOCK INVENTORY AND RETURN TO AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR COMPANY. SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY ANY END USERS WHICH PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT WHEELS OF THE DEFECT AND TO RETURN THEIR WHEELS TO SUZUKI FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE COULD INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM UNION AND A NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Vitara 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 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?
NHTSA has 108 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 57,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor. 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.