2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around the fuel system, where many owners describe a fuel smell and a recall for a fuel pressure regulator that dealers often could not complete because parts were unavailable. A second group covers unintended or stuck acceleration traced to the accelerator and kick-down cables, and a third covers timing chain tensioner noise, brake vibration and air bags that did not deploy in crashes.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and fuel pressure regulator recall parts shortage

   • 23 complaints (27%)
   • median 14,585 mi at 6.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2008

   Owners describe a strong raw-gas smell reaching the cabin through the vents, sometimes only in cold weather, and fuel line or hose problems. Many complaints are about recall 01V146000 (fuel pressure regulator) and a related fuel pipe campaign: owners say dealers told them parts were unavailable, sometimes for months, so the recall work went undone. Some report the smell or leak returned after a recall repair was performed. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 20,000 miles upward, with several owners noting the smell appeared in cold weather.

   Recall 01V146000Recall 04V427000

   What to check: Ask whether both fuel system recalls (01V146000 and 04V427000) were completed and request the repair paperwork; check for a fuel smell around the engine bay and at the fuel pipe and hose connections.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling at any speed and without prior warning a fuel smell was coming though the vents. This happened only in cold weather. Dealer inspected the vehicle several times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem while it was on warranty. As soon the warranty expired dealer replaced, at owner expense of $680.00, the throttle cable and the gas filter.”

   NHTSA complaint #10056115, filed 2004-01, 19,000 miles

   “Consumer received recall notice 01v146000/ manufacturers x4 letter, consumer called dealer where she purchased vehicle, but dealer had not parts to do recall repairs, consumer called another dealer, and that dealer ordered parts but, stated that it will take 2 or 3 weeks to get parts, consumer called dealer about parts, and dealer stated had not gotten parts, and did not know reason why.”

   NHTSA complaint #896580, filed 2001-09
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden or stuck acceleration (cable-related)

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the vehicle accelerating on its own, the accelerator pedal sticking, and instances where braking could not slow the engine. Owners of automatic models also describe a stuck kick-down cable. Several complaints are about recall 03V512000 for the accelerator cable casing cap, with owners reporting dealers still lacked parts when they came in for the repair. Mostly reported between about 20,000 and 85,000 miles, at normal driving speeds on roads and expressways.

   Recall 03V512000

   What to check: Confirm the 03V512000 accelerator cable recall was performed, and have a mechanic inspect the accelerator cable, its firewall casing cap, and the kick-down cable for fraying or binding.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle accelerated suddenly on an expressway exit ramp and when attempting to brake the vehicle spun out of control. (nar) there were no injuries and no other vehicle were involved. The pressure applied tot he brakes to avoid the collision damaged them and the consumer had them replaced immediately. This was not he first time the vehicle had accelerated suddenly. The consumer had several mechanics look at the vehicle but none of them were able to find a problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10060910, filed 2004-02, 60,723 miles

   “Dt: the contact stated while driving a fire started under the hood. Pulled the vehicle over and the fire department was called to extinguish the fire. A fire report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and they determined the fire started in the cruise control. The vehicle was totaled. Prior to the fire the vehicle had cruise control problems. When driving on a steep hill the cruise control deactivated. Vehicle was taken to the dealership multiple times and they made several repairs to the cruise control. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10145742, filed 2005-12, 84,122 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bags not deploying in a collision

   • 7 complaints (8%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2018

   Owners report frontal and rollover crashes in which neither air bag deployed, and in some cases seat belts did not hold. Other complaints describe the air bag warning light staying on, with dealers citing back-ordered parts. A separate group of reports concerns the Takata air bag inflator recall. Reported at various mileages from low mileage up to about 66,000 miles, in front-end and rollover collisions.

   What to check: Check that the air bag warning light comes on with the ignition and then goes out; ask whether the model year falls under any open Takata air bag inflator recall and whether it was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall when I try to put in drive I have to put it in drive two for it to go on drive when I go to put it in park it will not I have to mess with it for it to go on park it either stays on drive or reverse”

   NHTSA complaint #11152925, filed 2018-11

   “While driving 40 MPH vehicle slid on ice, resulting in a head on collision. Vehicle rolled over into a 15 foot embankment. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained severe head injuries.”

   NHTSA complaint #10059759, filed 2004-02, 66,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake vibration, rotor wear and overheating

   • 13 complaints (15%)
   • median 56,225 mi at 4.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2008

   Complaints describe vibration and pulsing when braking, warped or overheated front rotors that needed repeated resurfacing, and squealing. Some owners report the brakes failing to respond or overheating and locking up. A recall covering front brake discs that may break under severe downhill braking exists for vehicles with 16-inch wheels. Reported from around 25,000 to 50,000 miles, often on front brakes after repeated use.

   Recall 05V452000

   What to check: Ask whether the front brake disc recall (05V452000) was completed if the vehicle has 16-inch wheels, and have the front rotors and pads checked for scoring, thickness and runout.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Owner complaints vibration while braking and premature wear. Number of other problems with this vehicle. The consumer stated that the brakes squeel like nails on a chalkboard. The consumer was told that the rotors were dusty. The vehicle horn started blowing and would not stop. The consumer was told that it was an electrical problem. The fuse was taken out to stop the horn from working. The tail light bulb went out. The consumer heard a ticking noise coming from the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10103345, filed 2004-11, 50,000 miles

   “While driving 35 MPH the consumer pressed the brake pedal but the brakes did not respond. As a result the consumer hit another vehicle which caused damage to both vehicles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10024571, filed 2003-07, 40,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Timing chain tensioner noise and oil leaks

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2006

   Owners describe a noise from the timing cover that dealers identified as a timing chain tensioner problem, with repairs quoted in the four-figure range and requiring engine removal. Others report oil leaking from the top of the engine, in one case traced to an oil galley plug, and a check engine light leading to catalytic converter replacement. Reported from roughly 60,000 miles upward, often just after warranty coverage ended.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for a rattle or whine from the front of the engine at start-up and idle, and check the top of the engine and the underside for oil seepage before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2000 Grand Vitara with 60k miles needs a timing chain tensioner. Have been told this part should not need to be replaced at 60k miles. Have read information from other Suzuki Grand Vitara owners with similar problems after warranty is expired.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045044, filed 2003-10, 60,000 miles

   “Vehicle has been leaking oil on top off engine, after 2-3 inspections dealer could not find the leak. Oil leak got worse, vehicle lost 3-4 quarts of oil in 50-75 miles. Consumer took vehicle to a second dealer. Dealer determined oil galley plug to be the cause of the leak.”

   NHTSA complaint #8011183, filed 2002-06

Buying note. Ask for documentation that the fuel system and accelerator cable recalls were completed, since many owners report the parts were unavailable at the time. Have a mechanic inspect the cables, front brakes, air bag warning light and timing chain area before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.