2002 Suzuki XL-7: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 35 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (21% 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 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“This 2002 suzuki xl7 limited started to have touchy steering at 55 mph and up. It is so sensitive that it can even change lanes. When the steering acts up the whole vehicle vibrates. I had new tires and alignment and checked for any slack in anything under the vehicle and it checked out good. I have checked on the internet and found that several people have had the same problem. Some of the people spent hundreds of dollars and still have the same problem. I think that it is dangerous to drive and other people need to know about the problem. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 suzuki xl7. The contact stated that the vehicle would pull to the right abnormally when driving at any speed. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and the failure was located as the front cross member being broken due to defective material. The failure caused the engine to lean to the right. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,000 and the current mileage was 141,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 suzuki xl-7. The contact made several attempts to start the vehicle; however, the engine failed to start. There were no prior warnings. Road side assistance was notified and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the failure occurred and was related after the fuel pump was replaced. The contact is aware of the safety risk. The failure mileage and current mileages were 112,630.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 suzuki xl7. While driving approximately 55 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The brakes were engaged and the vehicle slowed down with a loud grinding noise. The manufacturer was notified of the problem and they advised the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was unable to duplicate problem. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2009
“I have a 2002 suzuki xl-7 and in jan 2005 newburgh suzuki had to replace the a/c compressor because locked up. Veh only had 13,247 miles on it. Now again nov 2008 veh only has 38,000 miles on it compressor is starting to lock up again. *tr”Owner report · Equipment · Nov 2008
“I am changing my front brakes every other month and the caliper has been bad now for a few months. This is the only car I have ever had to do this with. In fact a few weeks after changing the brakes. They are grinding and the ABS light comes on occasionally. This cannot be normal for any vehicle. I do not know where to look for recalls or problems with the brakes. Or is there somewhere I need to look. I thought at one time I saw notices about brake problems. Thank you tami ivey *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2008
“2002 suzuki xl7 a/c compressor. While driving at 65-70 mph on the highway, the air conditioning compressor locked up and snapped the belt causing the power steering to stop working and the car to overheat. I paid 1200 to have it fixed about 2 years ago. Now the new one is making a lot of noise and needs to be replaced. I looked on message boards and see that this is a huge problem on these cars for hundreds if not thousands of people. This company needs to correct this problem. It's a major safety issue and very expensive to fix multiple times. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 suzuki xl-7. While driving 35 mph downhill on paved roads, the front brakes failed and caused the vehicle to pull to the right. The contact called the dealer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 05v452000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor) and was informed that his VIN was excluded from the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000 and current mileage was 71,000. Updated 6/18/09 *cn updated 06/22/09*jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2008
“Vehicle does not drive straight and wanders. This car has been in the shop many times for the same problem but no fix. *nm”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2005
“On a rainy wednesday morning, came to a stop sign signaled to make a left turn upon making the left turn the car just accelerated and went into a wall. Causing damage to the front of the car”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 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 2002 Suzuki XL-7 reliable?
NHTSA has 35 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Suzuki XL-7. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Suzuki XL-7 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 48,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Suzuki XL-7 have open recalls?
2 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.