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Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7Model year report

2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 Problems

Complaints
26filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
20,100miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 2.7L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7. The part named most often is tires, with 7 complaints (27% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (5) and engine cooling (4). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 77% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 20,100 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Tires: “I have a 2002 xl7 with 11,000 miles tires already have no tread, I also have problems with passenger side window making an awful noise. Sometimes when I give it gas it doesn't respond and will just plain give out on me... I suggest no one buy one please it gives SUV's a bad name. If anyone has info on my problems please contact me.”

NHTSA complaint #10048795, filed 2003-11, 2,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “See NHTSA campaign id number : 03v512000 in december 2004 purchased a Suzuki xl-7 for $15,000 cash with 24,000 miles in april 2005 I stopped at a stop sign, signaled to make a left turn. The car spun from the rear causing it to go out of control and into a wall. The whole front end was smashed, repairs are going to cost me $9,000 in damages. Explained to Suzuki that this car was paid for in cash and that I only had liability. Suzuki is stating that they can't do anything cause the car didn't have full coverage, and the recall was sent to the original owner. …”

NHTSA complaint #10122106, filed 2005-05, 26,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Engine oil leaks through the exaust pipe from the timing chain cover seal. The burning smell can be smelled almost immediately after purchase. I thought the smell will go away. At 4250 miles, I found oil spot on my drive way. Dealer took out the from part of engine and re-sealed. After repair, I think the engine is still leaking, but the dealer told me that the oil/grease is from the rust proof. I like to get a second opion, but the next available dealer is million miles away. It is going to be a long and disturbing process for me down the road. …”

NHTSA complaint #10070729, filed 2004-01, 4,250 miles

Suspension: “I was driving down the road from work and I was only going 40mph and my car all of sudden started shaking and the steering wheel was out of control and finally got control of it and slowed down and stopped and noticed the cross member was broke. It wasn't like that when I bought it. Now I have a car that I'm paying for and can't drive it cause it dangerous.”

NHTSA complaint #10680354, filed 2015-02, 160,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

77% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 4,250 and 42,900 miles.

46%0–1015%10–2515%25–500%50–758%75–1000%100–15015%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 20,100 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2003620052007201420162020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Grand Vitara XL7 RWD2.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic151817$3,950
Grand Vitara XL7 RWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed manual161917$3,950
Grand Vitara XL7 4WD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed manual161917$3,950
Grand Vitara XL7 4WD2.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic151816$4,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.

Other model years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20041752,5001—18—Falling
20031313,1033—17—Not enough data
20022620,1002—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20011545,9881—17—Stable

All Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 have?

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 is reported most often?

Tires is named most often, in 7 complaints (27% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 5.

Has the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 (Grand Vitara XL7, 2.7L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 20,100 miles and the middle half falls between 4,250 and 42,900 miles; 77% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.