Skip to content
Suzuki Grand VitaraModel year report

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,000miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and electronic stability control (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 58% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,000 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 15 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the occupant classification, 1 NHTSA investigation and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “We own a 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The passenger air bag light keeps coming on. We have taken to dealers 5 times in 4 months. We are told we need to watch how we sit in the seat, and do not recline the seat, there is nothing they can do since no codes show up on the computer. They state the airbag will not work with the light on but can not fix it. It is intermittent sometimes stays on. Has stayed on at the dealers.”

NHTSA complaint #10294320, filed 2009-12, 8,000 miles

Electrical system: “When car was initially started, after few minutes of warm up time, heat was activated and no heat was dispersed. Began driving, despite no heat. Within 1 mile traveling less that 15 MPH, the temparature gage increased to the highest level, still without heat in car. (picture 1) as speed increased, temperature gage rapidly fluctuated and esp warning lights illuminated on dash. (picture 2) pulled off highway immediately following warning lights, engine found to be smoking. …”

NHTSA complaint #10950047, filed 2017-02, 87,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “2009 Suzuki vitara air conditioner compressor has failed upon 2 year ownership. It is not covered under the warranty per Suzuki dealership. While driving at normal speed, a popping sound occurs and the air begins to blow hot air. The events leading up to this was the highbeam/lowbeam lights burn out within 3 months of ownership. Then pulley system fails. Then the compressor. This all takes within 2 years. To repair the compressor, there are no old parts and it is only stocked with the Suzuki dealership. …”

NHTSA complaint #10413583, filed 2011-07, 40,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

58% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 87,000 miles.

8%0–1017%10–2533%25–508%50–7525%75–1008%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20092011201220152016201720194
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 2009 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 RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4——4 · 18.5% risk

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 2009 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 RWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual192622$3,050
Grand Vitara RWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192521$3,200
Grand Vitara RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182420$3,350
Grand Vitara 4WD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual192521$3,200
Grand Vitara 4WD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192320$3,350
Grand Vitara 4WD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172319$3,550

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 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 15 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 15 bulletins →

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 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2009 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 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara (Grand Vitara, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,000 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 87,000 miles; 58% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.