1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 11%of 108 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 131,559miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 11% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,559 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle at highway speeds from 45 to 55 miles per hour will lose complete power dropping from 45 or 55 to 10 or 15 MPH very rapidly when this happens you have no control of acceleration or vehicle till it reaches the 10 to 15 MPH range leaving you in a very dangerous position if you are not close enough to the shoulder of the road to pull off leaving you the possibility of being in a collision with faster approaching vehicles from the rear this is a serious problem that could result in death from a rear end collision and appears to be a common problem with this vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10496399, filed 2013-02, 131,559 miles“I have had continual problems with my manual transmission, it continues to lock into 5th gear and also is hard to shift at times. The transmission was replaced at 10,000 miles and new transmission does the same thing. The latest fix on it doesn't work either.”
NHTSA complaint #739215, filed 2001-01“Transmission is hard to shift, after being driven on highway for over 20 minutes, transmission sticks in 5th gear, original transmission replaced at 10,000 miles, problem with new transmission at 11,000 miles, dealer replaced tower on transmission, still hard to shift, vehicle stalls and is very hard to go into reverse when it is cold (below 20)”
NHTSA complaint #559356, filed 2001-02“Recall campaign for the Suzuki recommended replacing the 4 oxygen sensors. The 4-wheel drive gear would no longer shift, it was discovered years later that it was not assembled correctly. The consumer had emission problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10109353, filed 2004-12“When temperature drops below 20 degrees vehicle will not engage four wheel drive unit. Dealer replaced controller the first time, however the problem still existed, dealer finally determined problem was the air pump, pump was replaced and the problem was resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #880268, filed 2001-02Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 8% |
| 2010 | 3 | 15% |
| 2009 | 1 | 7% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 10% |
| 2006 | 8 | 5% |
| 2004 | 1 | 13% |
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 3 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 8% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 12 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara
24 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology