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Suzuki Grand VitaraModel year report

2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems

Complaints
47filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
28,000miles, 28 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns 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
18 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 19 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 16 complaints (34% of the total), followed by brakes (10) and fuel system (5). 28 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,000 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the rotor filed under the same part.

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: Engine cooling (2), Air bags (1), Exterior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “My 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara (limited 4wd) was involved in a single car accident when the cruise control was engaged on the highway at 55 MPH. It was a hilly stretch of highway near pittsville, mo and there was a light dusting of snow just starting to fall. The cruise control made the car jump into a lower gear when ascending a hill to keep it at 55 MPH. The RPM's jumped from about 2,000 to 5,000 when the car shifted into 3rd gear - which caused the tires to lose traction and I wrecked into 2 highway sign posts and skidded sideways about 50 yards into the center median. …”

NHTSA complaint #10200466, filed 2007-08, 52,500 miles

Brakes: “At speed of 55 MPH on a highway, I was cut off by another vehicle. I had to apply my brakes quickly, and much to my shock, the car went sideways and slammed into a steel divider. This caused body damage to my vehicle to the entire passenger side - from front to back and everything in between. I have not had any repairs done as of yet.”

NHTSA complaint #10130652, filed 2005-07, 41,119 miles

Fuel system: “When starting the car it shakes for two to three minutes and then finally runs normal. Before this it won't start. The dealer replaced the starter but I still have this problem. The dealer says they can't do anything about it unless they can duplicate the problem. So now I have to worry about the car breaking down.”

NHTSA complaint #10062448, filed 2004-03, 28,000 miles

Seat belts: “Brakes squealed excessively and cost a mint to have replaced. (had to have two sets bought to get this to stop and rotors machined within 1 yr of purchase) right seat belt locks excessively and only way to unlock is to undo the connection.”

NHTSA complaint #10062428, filed 2004-03, 25,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

75% of the 28 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,000 and 49,000 miles.

18%0–1014%10–2543%25–5018%50–754%75–1000%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (28 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 28,000 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.

20022003200422200520062007200820102020
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Grand Vitara · sedan not rated4 / 4——3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara 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 RWD2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic171918$3,700
Grand Vitara RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172018$3,700
Grand Vitara 4WD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172018$3,700
Grand Vitara 4WD2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic161917$3,950

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 → · 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. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.

Other model years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20121336,7502—22—Not enough data
20111135,9134—22—Not enough data
20102050,0005—21—Falling
20091442,0004—21—Not enough data
20084240,0002—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20075837,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200616146,3526—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2004835,5002—18—Not enough data
20032950,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20024728,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20013852,7505—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20008559,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199910857,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Suzuki Grand Vitara model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

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

NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 16 complaints (34% of the total), followed by brakes with 10.

Has the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 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 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara (Grand Vitara, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 17 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 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 reported?

Among the 28 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,000 miles and the middle half falls between 22,000 and 49,000 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.