Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 634 consumer complaints across the 13 model years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara (1999–2012) that have at least 5 complaints. 2006 has the most, with 161. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (132 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Grand Vitara years →
All Grand Vitara model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 13 | 36,750 | 2 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 11 | 35,913 | 4 | 7 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 20 | 50,000 | 5 | 13 | — | Falling |
| 2009 | 14 | 42,000 | 4 | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 42 | 40,000 | 2 | 7 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2007 | 58 | 37,000 | 3 | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 161 | 46,352 | 6 | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 8 | 35,500 | 2 | 9 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 29 | 50,000 | 4 | 7 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 47 | 28,000 | 4 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 38 | 52,750 | 5 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 85 | 59,000 | 4 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 108 | 57,000 | 4 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags132 23%
- Exterior lighting80 14%
- Electrical system80 14%
- Vehicle speed control74 13%
- Fuel system69 12%
- Brakes57 9.7%
- Engine cooling49 8.4%
- Transmission and drivetrain45 7.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2010: “The vehicle is confronting problems with the air bags security systems in motion. We understand that this is an extremely dangerous circumstance, which deserves a detailed investigation.. Due to the information we have received, this vehicle has been the subject of investigations that have not been notified to us. Recalls may have been ordered.”
NHTSA complaint #11385223, filed 2020-12, 22,064 miles2012: “Takata recall. My Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 has the airbag light on for about 3 months. I call for two times to the dealer that Suzuki factory delegate the services, but they tell me that my vehicle VIN number is not in the list. I use that car to take my wife to her quimios and I and afraid that she is hurt with the malfunction of the airbag.”
NHTSA complaint #11253408, filed 2019-09, 30,000 miles2006: “The headlights, parking lights and brake lights burn out constantly. Major safety hazard. I have had to replace the headlights, parking lights and brake lights every 3-4 months for the 3 1/2 years we have this vehicle. Very careful with bulb handling and installation. Bulb connections appear to be burned and melted.”
NHTSA complaint #11322476, filed 2020-04, 135,000 milesOther Suzuki models
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142 complaintsSuzuki Boulevard M109R
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology