Model year record

2002 Suzuki XL7 recalls & problems

The 2002 Suzuki XL7 has 2 safety recalls and 35 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (7 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints35filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

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.

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.

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.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cables	7	3	1	0	39,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	7	0	0	0	53,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift; Driveline › Differential unit	5	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Pads; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	4	0	0	0	65,500 mi
Steering	4	0	0	0	80,000 mi
SuspensionFront	2	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch	2	0	0	0	—
Tires	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	2	1	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	2	0	0	0	—
Air bags	1	1	0	2	—
VisibilityWindshield	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

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. *TR
Oct 7, 2014 · 115,420 miles
Structure › Body
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. I WOULD ADD POWER STEERING FLUID EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SO. BUT NOW IT'S PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I HAVE TO ADD FLUID EVERY OTHER…
Aug 1, 2009 · 80,000 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AS THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER BEING BROKEN DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Mar 1, 2012 · 137,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITH A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ADVISED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Jan 6, 2009
Service brakes, hydraulic
CONDENSATION FROM VEHICLES AIR CONDITIONING DRIPS ONTO THE INSULATION AROUND BRAKE LINE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT BRAKE LINE FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT. LIVING IN TEXAS THE VEHICLE RARELY IS TURNED ON WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE CONTINUED SATURATION, DRYING AND VIBRATION OF NORMAL DAY TO DAY USE CAUSED A LEAK IN ONE OF THE TWO BRAKE LINES LEADING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER OWNER REPORTED SPONGY FEELING AND LOSS OF BRAKE HOLDING STRENGTH WHILE IN STOPPED POSITION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED BOTH BRAKE LINES BEHIND PROTECTIVE INSULATION HAS SEVER OXIDATION CLOSEST TO THE ENDS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO AN ADAPTER. FIX THAT I EMPLOYED WAS TO BYPASS THE…
Apr 11, 2010 · 105,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
2002 SUZUKI XL7 A/C COMPRESSOR. WHILE DRIVING AT 65-70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP AND SNAPPED THE BELT CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO STOP WORKING AND THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. I PAID 1200 TO HAVE IT FIXED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. NOW THE NEW ONE IS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I LOOKED ON MESSAGE BOARDS AND SEE THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM ON THESE CARS FOR HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
Jun 10, 2008 · 47,000 miles
Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE DEFROST ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COST SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Jan 7, 2005 · 35,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND WAS RELATED AFTER THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,630.
Aug 1, 2009 · 112,630 miles

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