2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern vehicle speed control.
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 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 suzuki grand vitara. The contact experienced difficulty starting the vehicle. He discovered that the battery cable was grounding out against the body of the vehicle, which caused the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle is unsafe due to the current recalls on the vehicle, although he has not experienced any of the failures noted in the recalls. The failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving under any conditions or speed, the brake lights fail due to a blown fuse. Afterwards when the vehicle is stopped, it us unable to be placed into the park position until the fuse has been replaced. The vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection. It was determined the electrical system was the problem however it is unknown what repairs will correct the problem.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2006
“Dt: consumer stated she was in an accident on 6-19-05. Someone hit her. The car turned upside down and landed on its top. The person who hit her was going approx. 70 mph when she came across the lane of traffic and hit her. She was hit on the passenger side door. The air bags did not deploy. She feels that because the car flipped over, the air bags should have deployed. She has not notified the manufacturer or the dealer. The car was totaled. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“Because of excessive usage, the rear right seat belt shredded in half. Owner contacted the dealer, who informed the owner that the vehicle was out of warranty, and owner would have to pay for the repairs. Provide further details.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2005
“Continually upon starting vehicle, go inside and came back out it would not restart. The consumer had to file for bankrupcy and voluntary repo because he could not afford to take the vehicle from state to state to be serviced. Campaign id number : 04v427000 *tc”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2004
“The consumer received three recall notice for her 2003 grand vitara xl-7. Everytime the consumer called to make an appointment, she was told by the dealer, they were waiting on the parts. *tc *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2004
“Original goodyear tires needed replaced with less than 15,000 miles on them. Called dealer to complain and they said if we got 15,000 miles out of them we were doing good! For a vehicle that costs over $20,000 I certainly expected a better quality tire! *jb”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2004
“Rear door trim has peeled back and snapped off. Dealer replaced it under warranty, three months later it is snapped off again. Both sides have been replaced and both sides have broken again. Dealer is slow in ordering and receiving replacement parts, even slower scheduling a time to repair. Dealer felt that "taping it down with black tape was sufficient until the parts come in." it has been over six months since the passenger rear trim has been ordered. Meanwhile, I am driving around in a brand new vehicle with black electrical tape holding down the trim. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2004
“Consumer received NHTSA recall 03v512000 in january 2004 regarding accelerator cable casing cap that was attached to the vehicle firewall which could crack due to extended exposure to forces from the accelerator cable, and insufficient long term durability of the plastic casing cap. Dealership still did not have the parts available to conduct recall repairs. Dealer urged consumer to call manufacturer and tell him to hurry up with parts.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2004
“The consumer received a recall letter regarding the accelerator cable casin cap. The dealership did not have the parts available to conduct the recall. No dealership in puerto rico island had the part on recall. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - 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 2003 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control.
Does the 2003 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.