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Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7Model year report

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
13,103miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7. The part named most often is brakes, with 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and vehicle speed control (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 88% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 13,103 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Brakes: “The brake and gas pedal are at the proper elevation to press them simultaneously with one foot. Because it is rear wheel drive and anti-lock brakes, the car speeds up when that happens. This is a typical engineering flaw that happens with many vehicles ( he thought he was stepping on the brake when he ran into the crowd of people... ). The front anti-lock brakes release when the rear wheels want to keep turning. With regular brakes, one can still overcome the force of the engine and stop a car. I ran into a house trailer because of the car accelerated when I stepped on the brake! …”

NHTSA complaint #10958253, filed 2017-03, 15,000 miles

Electrical system: “I had bought a used Suzuki auto from enterprise rental cars. In mid-june 2005 I was returning to phila. On I-95 after taking my daughter to camp in massachusetts. Just outside darien, conn. All the power on the car just shut down completely. An 18-wheeler was barreling down on me in the center lane but fortunately for me the lane to my right was empty and the shoulder was wide enough for me to pull over. After spending the night in darien and having a repair shop tow the car, the mechanic said there had been a blown fuse. …”

NHTSA complaint #10353728, filed 2010-09, 20,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Failure on brakes, accelerator, alarm, lights and problems with the carpet. The brakes and accelerator were recalled. The brakes made a loud noise when turning the steering wheel. The alarmed failed. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer about ten times in reference to the alarm. The door ajar chime did not work. The carpet was loose. The consumer had to wait two months before it was fixed.”

NHTSA complaint #10073461, filed 2004-05

Mileage when problems were reported

88% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,850 and 20,000 miles.

38%0–1038%10–2513%25–500%50–7513%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 13,103 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200220032004620052008200920102017
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 2003 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 2003 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2003 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 get?

The EPA rates the 2003 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 13,103 miles and the middle half falls between 9,850 and 20,000 miles; 88% 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.