Model year record

2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls & problems

The 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 4 safety recalls and 47 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (16 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints47filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicOct 5, 2005

Foundation components › Disc › Rotor

Recall 05V452000801 vehicles

Problem: 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 CONTINUOUSLY APPLYING THE BRAKES.
Risk: THE FRONT BRAKES MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE MAY PULL TO ONE SIDE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005. THESE VEHICLES ARE LOCATED ON ST. THOMAS ISLAND (VIRGIN ISLANDS). OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI DEL CARIBE AT 787-622-0600.

Fuel system, gasolineAug 30, 2004

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 04V427000172,093 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES CELSIUS, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. AS A RESULT, FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE MAY INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.
Risk: FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE FUEL DELIVER HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMP WITH AN IMPROVED CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

Vehicle speed controlDec 5, 2003

Cables

Recall 03V512000196,876 vehicles

Problem: 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 CASING CAP BECOMES CRACKED, MOVEMENT OF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE THROUGH THE CAP CAN CAUSE THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE TO BECOME FRAYED.
Risk: IF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE BECOMES FRAYED, IT CAN STICK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THE CASE WHERE AN ACCELERATOR CABLE STICKS, THE DRIVER COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING VEHICLE SPEED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, WHICH INCLUDES THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

VisibilityJun 16, 2003

Windshield

Recall 03V2230005,319 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN PASSENGER (111 MY 2002 ESTEEM, 777 MY 2002 AERIO, 2,368 MY 2003 AERIO) AND SPORT UTILITY (324 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA, 274 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA, 684 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA XL-7, AND 781 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7) VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT APPLIED DURING THE SECOND-STAGE PAINTING PROCESS AND THE PAINT APPLIED DURING FINAL-STAGE PAINTING.
Risk: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Grand Vitara

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Grand Vitara

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Grand Vitara 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Grand Vitara 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlCables; Accelerator pedal	16	3	0	4	23,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc; Foundation components	10	2	0	0	41,000 mi
Seat beltsFront; Front › Buckle assembly	6	1	0	1	41,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	5	0	0	0	62,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Macpherson strut	4	0	0	0	—
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Appliance › Air conditioner	3	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members › Underbody shields	3	0	1	0	—
Tires	3	0	0	0	26,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	3	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition	2	0	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	2	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash1 injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO A BRIDGE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM A STOP SIGN, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING A CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND HER BODY LUNGED FORWARD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (NUMBER 19005490). THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN BY AN AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR HER MULTIPLE INJURIES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN STERNUM AND MULTIPLE TEETH, INJURED HER CHEST WALL, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT KNEES…
Dec 4, 2019 · 82,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AT A STOP WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD BEGIN TO REV WITH THE RPM LEVELS VIGOROUSLY FLUCTUATING. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SINCE JUNE 2009. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,330. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
Jun 21, 2009 · 54,000 miles
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. UNTIL RECENTLY, THE CONTACT HAS NEVER USED THE TIGER PAW SPARE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, A TIRE BLEW OUT WITH A LOUD POP. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD TO SAFETY. THE FENDER WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE TIRE AND HOW IT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES EXCEEDED 200,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB
Nov 10, 2008 · 200,000 miles
Power trainCrash
2002 SUZUKI VITARA WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO REVERSE WITH NO HELP FROM THE DRIVER AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL LOCK UP AND NOT GO INTO REVERSE. SHE ALSO STATES THAT IT HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *JB
Feb 13, 2007
Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCrash1 injury
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. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDN'T ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES. IT COST ME $5,000 IN COLLISION DAMAGE TO FIX THE CAR. THE CRUISE…
Jan 31, 2007 · 52,500 miles
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
I AM WRITING ABOUT THE SEAT BELTS IN MY 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP AND DOESN'T ALLOW THE PERSON WEARING IT TO MOVE. I FIND IT VERY ANNOYING AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE AS WHOEVER IS IN THAT SEAT USUALLY ENDS UP UNBUCKLING IT AND NOT PUTTING IT BACK ON. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IN THE REAR SEATS, ALTHOUGH IT ISN'T AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM AS I GENERALLY DON'T HAVE REAR PASSENGERS. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BOTH FRONT BELTS NOT RETRACTING FULLY WHEN WE EXIT THE VEHICLE, I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, BUT REPLACING THE RETRACTOR WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE AND I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT AS SEAT BELTS SHOULD LAST LONGER THEN A FEW YEARS. *NM
Jan 1, 2004
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK . HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB
Nov 28, 2005 · 58,000 miles
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER 2002 GRAND VITARA AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED. *TS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
Oct 1, 2005

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.