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Suzuki Grand VitaraModel year report

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 12 complaints (41% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and fuel system (4). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 45% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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: Seat belts (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “This complaint is related to an existing recall on my 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara. While driving two days ago, the throttle cable became stuck and the vehicle would not stop accelerating. I was ultimately able to pull the vehicle off the road and turn it off. Afterward, I discovered an open recall for the throttle cable housing. However, the recall was issued before I purchased the vehicle new from the Suzuki dealer in 2004. I purchased the vehicle on january 9, 2004, the recall was issued in december 2003. I understand that it is illegal for Suzuki to have sold the vehicle with an open recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10410869, filed 2011-07, 98,000 miles

Electrical system: “While driving, the driver was able to air coming inside of the vehicle when the all windows were closed. Also, the headlights will came on and went off by themselves. This is a hazard to the driver's visibility at night. This was a continuous problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10044680, filed 2003-10, 6,000 miles

Fuel system: “The contact owns a 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The vehicle is experiencing fuel loss in the ignition source. Whenever the contact attempts to turn the ignition, the vehicle will not start. She took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that fuel was not entering the ignition, causing a no-start condition. The manufacturer stated that the previous owner of the vehicle had it repaired under a recall for this same failure; therefore, they refused to repair it again. The contact feels that the vehicle was not properly repaired if the failure is recurring. …”

NHTSA complaint #10235107, filed 2008-07, 64,000 miles

Body and structure: “Rear door trim has peeled back and snapped off. Dealer replaced it under warranty, three months later it is snapped off again. Both sides have been replaced and both sides have broken again. Dealer is slow in ordering and receiving replacement parts, even slower scheduling a time to repair. Dealer felt that taping it down with black tape was sufficient until the parts come in. It has been over six months since the passenger rear trim has been ordered. Meanwhile, I am driving around in a brand new vehicle with black electrical tape holding down the trim.”

NHTSA complaint #10082436, filed 2004-07

Mileage when problems were reported

45% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,000 and 98,000 miles.

27%0–109%10–259%25–5027%50–759%75–1009%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2003200419200520062008201020112018
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 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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. 7 on record; the latest 7 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 12 complaints (41% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.

Has the 2003 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?

The EPA rates the 2003 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 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 6,000 and 98,000 miles; 45% 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.