2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 47 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (34% of complaints).
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 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2009
“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”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2008
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2005
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2005
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2005
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2005
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2005
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2004
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
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 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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 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 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 28,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara have open recalls?
4 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.