2001 Suzuki Vitara Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 48,225miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Suzuki Vitara (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2001 Suzuki Vitara. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 9 complaints (33% of the total), followed by suspension (4) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,225 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins 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.
- Engine cooling9 33%
- Suspension4 15%
- Air bags2 7.4%
- Brakes2 7.4%
- Equipment2 7.4%
- Exterior lighting2 7.4%
- Fuel system2 7.4%
- Interior lighting2 7.4%
- Body and structure2 7.4%
Also reported: Tires (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Electrical system (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Driving and suddenly engine makes a horrible noise and stopped. All the dashboard light cameon, I did not start the vehicle. Had it towed to a mechanic. Once the mechanic got it started he told me that he thought I had major engine problems. Decided to have vehicle towed to my nephew's mechanic whom I would trust, and the found that the time chain appartently jumped stopped which caused major engine damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116331, filed 2005-04, 57,000 milesSuspension: “The cigarette lighter pop's out when it done to were I can't find it, it has burnt several items in my tray,and floor. Also the gas pedal stick's when you push down on it to give a verbal acceleration to get around someone etc. The air in the tire's are always going down. The oil says it low everytime I look at it once every two weeks. The belt on the AC keep losing and now it needs replaced because it now has freezed up on me. The radio at 12:00 am and pm reads 00. Then the minutes only displaced. There's a rattle under the car, don't know what that is? …”
NHTSA complaint #10232727, filed 2008-06Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving 70 MPH the front end of the Suzuki grand Vitara xl7 (2001) the steering wheel began to shake violently in my hands. I pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that there was a rip in the rubber boot under the SUV on the drivers side (front). I believe it was called a 1/2 shaft. I stuck my finger in the rip of the rubber boot and felt a bunch of pieces on metal & large ball bearings laying in there. I had to park the SUV and call someone to pick up myself and my children so that we could pick up the wife which was being released from the hospital. …”
NHTSA complaint #10179242, filed 2007-01, 78,390 milesAir bags: “Dt: ran off the road going about 25 MPH onto the sidewalk. Consumer hit an electrical box and street sign. The car stopped and the police and emv came. The police stated that the air bags did not deploy. Consumer was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Consumer did have previous back problems and didn't know if it would cause more problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10121073, filed 2005-05, 24,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
54% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 24,000 and 57,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Suzuki 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitara · sedan | not rated | 4 / 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 2001 Suzuki Vitara version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitara 2Door RWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 22 | 25 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Vitara 2Door RWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Vitara 2Door RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Vitara 2Door RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Vitara 2Door 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 25 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Vitara 2Door 4WD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Vitara 2Door 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Vitara 2Door 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 22 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Vitara 4Door RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Vitara 4Door RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Vitara 4Door 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Vitara 4Door 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 Suzuki Vitara in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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.
- 10216558Jul 8, 2022Suspension, Body and structure. Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
- 10152052Nov 20, 2018Suspension, Equipment. This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension…
- 10021699Jun 15, 2007Transmission and drivetrain. Front differential oil seal replacement.
- 10017455Nov 9, 2005Engine cooling. Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure.
- 10015910Aug 16, 2005Engine cooling. Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure. 1999-2005 suzuki vitara sq420/sq625l, grand vitara sq625w, and xl-7 ja627
Other model years of the Suzuki Vitara
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 27 | 48,225 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 35 | 53,500 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 50 | 125,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Suzuki Vitara model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Suzuki Vitara have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2001 Suzuki Vitara as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Suzuki Vitara is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 9 complaints (33% of the total), followed by suspension with 4.
Has the 2001 Suzuki Vitara been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Suzuki Vitara get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Suzuki Vitara (Vitara 2Door, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 20 city and 23 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 2001 Suzuki Vitara reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,225 miles and the middle half falls between 24,000 and 57,000 miles; 54% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.