2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control:cables (8) · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal (4) · Tires (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Suzuki Grand Vitara model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
28 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (12)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension 2022-07-08 · SUZ_016008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Suspension 2018-11-20 · N-Q-G-045 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System 2006-04-05 · 1703296 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
exhaust noise can be heard from under the vehicle. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2005-11-09 · 1410285R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling 2005-08-16 · 1405175 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure. 1999-2005 suzuki vitara sq420/sq625l, grand vitara sq625w, and xl-7 ja627 *sc
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2004-01-01 · 0602244R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oil leaking from left front of engine. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 12 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-01-02 · Seat Belts · 82,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 sea…”
2010-02-22 · Vehicle Speed Control · 54,000 mi“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 cou…”
2008-11-10 · Tires · 200,000 mi“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…”
2007-11-29 · Power Train · 💥 crash“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 i…”
2007-08-22 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control · 52,500 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
2006-02-03 · Seat Belts:rear/Other“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 m…”
2005-11-29 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly · 58,000 mi“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 …”
2005-10-26 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner“while driving consumer 2002 grand vitara air compressor failed. *ts the consumer requested reimbursement. *sc …”
2005-10-24 · Suspension:front:macpherson Strut · 41,000 mi“dt: the consumer stated there was a loud popping sound while driving at 35-40 mph. this happened without warning and no previous problems. the consumer inspected the vehicle because she thought she may have run over something. there was no evidence of this, and she proceeded. afterwards, the brakes were hard to apply. again the popping noise …”
2005-07-30 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 41,119 mi · 💥 crash“at speed of 55 mph on a highway, i was cut off by another vehicle. i had to apply my brakes quickly, and much to my shock, the car went sideways and slammed into a steel divider. this caused body damage to my vehicle to the entire passenger side - from front to back and everything in between. i have not had any repairs done as of yet. *jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.