Suzuki XL7Model year report

2002 Suzuki XL7 Problems

Complaints: 35filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 48,000miles, 23 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 2campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Suzuki XL7 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2002 Suzuki XL7. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (20% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (7) and brakes (4). 23 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. 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: Air bags (1), Exterior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “Ac compressor went out twice in my 2002 Suzuki XL-7. Once in august 2009 and again in may 2012. I had to have it replaced twice because it was a pretty hot summer. It assume if the car last another few years, I will have to replace it again. How annoying! Also, after the summer months, during the winter months when I need to turn on the heat, the service engine light comes on. I got this tested and it had to do with the AC compressor. This makes sense because the XL-7 compressor is dual. It's runs AC and heat. Power steering has been leaking for the past year. …”

NHTSA complaint #10479723, filed 2012-10, 80,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “First occasion approx 1/04 - backing up out of a parking spot and car accelerated uncontrollably on its own. I put both feet on the brake and still could not stop vehicle-had to put car in park to stop. If someone was in back of me I would have caused a crash. Simultaneous with this incident, I received a recall from Suzuki for this particular problem and took car in for recall service. Second occasion, 3/25/04 - waiting in line to go into car wash when car did the same thing-accelerated uncontrollably. Luckily no one was in front of me, if they had been I would have caused a crash. …”

NHTSA complaint #10064120, filed 2004-03, 39,500 miles

Brakes: “I am changing my front brakes every other month and the caliper has been bad now for a few months. This is the only car I have ever had to do this with. In fact a few weeks after changing the brakes. They are grinding and the ABS light comes on occasionally. This cannot be normal for any vehicle. I do not know where to look for recalls or problems with the brakes. Or is there somewhere I need to look. I thought at one time I saw notices about brake problems. Thank you tami ivey”

NHTSA complaint #10233216, filed 2008-07, 50,000 miles

Steering: “This 2002 Suzuki xl7 limited started to have touchy steering at 55 MPH and up. It is so sensitive that it can even change lanes. When the steering acts up the whole vehicle vibrates. I had new tires and alignment and checked for any slack in anything under the vehicle and it checked out good. I have checked on the internet and found that several people have had the same problem. Some of the people spent hundreds of dollars and still have the same problem. I think that it is dangerous to drive and other people need to know about the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10648401, filed 2014-10, 115,420 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

57% of the 23 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 63,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (23 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 48,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

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.

Recalls and investigations

05V452000Oct 5, 2005
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Covers: Suzuki XL7 2001–2006, Grand Vitara 1999–2005
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 16-inch wheels, the front brake discs may break under severe driving conditions. The breakage can occur in conditions where the vehicle is driven on a regular basis on extremely steep paved down-slopes while…
03V512000Dec 5, 2003
Vehicle speed control › Cables
Covers: Suzuki XL7 2001–2004, Grand Vitara 1999–2004
On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable casing cap that is attached to the vehicle firewall can crack due to extended exposure to forces from the accelerator cable and insufficient long-term durability of the plastic casing cap. If the…

Recall details for the 2002 Suzuki XL7 → · 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. 4 on record; the latest 4 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…
10094888Jan 14, 2015Equipment, Electrical system. This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will…
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 XL7

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2009	5	55,000	0	—	19	—	Not enough data
2008	74	64,340	0	—	18	Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)	Falling
2007	138	73,700	2	—	18	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2006	28	59,010	2	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2005	18	42,750	2	—	—	—	Stable
2004	45	55,400	2	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2003	24	38,600	2	—	—	—	Falling
2002	35	48,000	2	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2001	13	49,225	2	—	—	—	Not enough data

All Suzuki XL7 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Suzuki XL7 have?

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2002 Suzuki XL7 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Suzuki XL7 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (20% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 7.

Has the 2002 Suzuki XL7 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Suzuki XL7 reported?

Among the 23 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 63,000 miles; 57% 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.

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.