1999 Suzuki Vitara: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (27% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 suzuki vitara. While driving at an unknown speed the vehicle accelerated on its own. When the contact applied the brakes they failed to engage. The vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into a truck and caused serious damages to the vehicle. The contact sustained a torn ligament to her arm, skin tissue injuries, and a concussion. The contact stated that she received a recall notice for the accelerator pedal after the crash occurred. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The dealer was not notified. A police report was filed. The failure and current mileages were unknown. Updated 11/08/10 * bf updated 11/10/10”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2010
“While driving at night, brakes were applied in an emergency stop to avoid hitting a deer running across the highway. There was a loud bang noise from the front of the car.anchor for the right "a" arm is rusted out in the frame front cross member causing the vehicle to dive to the left and into the oncoming lane of traffic when the brakes were applied to avoid hitting a deer crossing the road. Frame cross member and related parts will have to be replaced. Vehicle is now unstable going down the road.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 suzuki vitara. While the contact was repairing the brakes, he discovered corrosion on the front cross member (frame). The contact is a mechanic and stated that if the frame comes apart, it can cause the front suspension to fail. The dealer stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer would not assist. The failure and current mileages were 128,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Front suspension crossmember has rusted through on my 1999 suzuki vitara. The chevrolet tracker, which is the same car has had a safety recall due to this issue. This poses a significant safety concern! *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 suzuki vitara. The contact stated that he has extreme difficulty turning the steering column because it remains in a fixated position. He inspected the steering fluid and concluded that the levels were normal. The dealer stated that although he was experiencing the same failure mentioned in NHTSA campaign id number 98v324002 (steering:wheel and handle bar), the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 138,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2008
“While driving 35 mp engine locked up. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership repaired the problem once, but it was not resolved. *ak....*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2004
“While driving at 45 mph a collision occurred, consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle in the rear. Upon impact, air bag did not deploy. Consumer sustained bad injuries. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2004
“1999 vitara has loud vibration between 55 to 65 mph. Have to drive below or above mph range to stop vibration. Safety issue. Numerous other complaints on file. Feel investigation is warranted.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2004
“While driving at 75 mph with the cruise control on, the vehicle became stuck in cruise mode. When trying to disengage the cruise control, the consumer was unable to do so. The consumer struggled to apply the brakes, finally getting the vehicle to slow down enough to shut the ignition off. The vehicle was restarted, and the cruise control was still active. The consumer had to physically pull the gas pedal from the floor of the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer had not been notified. *ak *scc *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2003
“The consumer experienced the same problem as stated in recall 04v427000. The consumer contacted the suzuki corporation, and was told that he was a part of the recall. Then, suzuki turned around, and told the consumer that he was not a part of the recall. *ak the consumer felt that being exclude from the recall was unfair and that the only difference was that the recall was for the 6 cylinder and not the 4 cylinder. *sc *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH. IF THE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY BE INOPERATIVE. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE, A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH MAY ALSO PREVENT SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PORT INSTALLATION OF REAR STEREO SPEAKERS, THE VEHICLES WIRING HARNESS COULD HAVE BEEN PINCHED BETWEEN THE REAR STEREO SPEAKER AND SPEAKER RETAINING PLATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION/CONDITION OF THE REAR WIRING HARNESS AND REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS, IF NECESSARY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PORT INSTALLATION OF REAR STEREO SPEAKERS, THE FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS WERE REMOVED TO FACILITATE THE REAR SPEAKER INSTALLATION AND MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION AFTER INSTALLATION OF THE SPEAKERS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETORQUE BOTH OF THE FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE COUPLING THAT CONNECTS THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT TO THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS CRACKED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE STEERING SHAFTS TO SEPARATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT COUPLING.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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 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 Vitara reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Suzuki Vitara. The most complained-about area is suspension (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Suzuki Vitara problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 126,500 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Suzuki Vitara have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. 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.