2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (2) · Engine (2) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Suzuki Grand Vitara model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2019-03-07 · campaign 19V187000 · 31,302 vehicles
Defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.
Power Train:manual Transmission 2017-02-09 · campaign 17V085000 · 791 vehicles
Defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being able to be changed.
Risk: If the transmission cannot be shifted, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VZ.
Air Bags 2013-09-06 · campaign 13V405000 · 189,901 vehicles
Defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
Risk: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign nu
Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2011-01-27 · campaign 11V055000 · 32,291 vehicles
Defect: SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES; MODEL YEAR 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 17, 2010; MODEL YEAR 2010 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES; AND 2011 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 14, 2010. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND POWER STEERING PUM
Risk: IF THE DRIVE BELT COMES OFF, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO USE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, OR THE ENGINE STALLS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.
Service bulletins (15)
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2022-05-18 · SI-26R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service update of cylinder block warranty extension (revision of original notice). note that actual model name is "suzuki kizashi", nhtsa model name reference is misspelled "suzuki kazashi".
Engine And Engine Cooling 2019-05-17 · ZF Owner Letter · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this letter was sent to owners of vehicles included in a warranty extension campaign for a possible cracked cylinder block. the letter provides owners with additional details concerning what is covered.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2019-04-24 · SI-26R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this communication is a revised service bulletin concerning an extended warranty for a possible cracked cylinder block. the service bulletin was expanded to provide additional details about what is covered under the extended warranty. a revised draft notification letter to be sent to owners is att
Engine And Engine Cooling 2019-02-20 · ZF-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this letter was sent to owners of 2009 grand vitara and certain 2010 grand vitara and kizashi vehicles, informing them about a warranty period extension to 20 years (unlimited mileage). the warranty extension relates to cracks that may occur at specific locations of the cylinder block which may res
Engine And Engine Cooling 2019-01-21 · SI-26R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin informs suzuki service providers in the mainland u.s. about a customer-satisfaction warranty period extension to 20 years (unlimited mileage) for 2009 grand vitara and certain 2010 grand vitara and kizashi vehicles. cracks may occur at specific locations of the cylinder block
Showing the 6 most recent of 15 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-11-18 · Unknown Or Other · 88,259 mi“the power steering pump drive-belt tension adjustable pulley- has been compromised ... and effects my ac. while researching i found the 2006 - 2012 models were effected as well, causing a recall..vehicle was in park- and would not start.. turned off ac and she finally turned over.. after i let her sit for 2 hours please advise thank you [xxx] in…”
2019-04-26 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module · 113,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 suzuki grand vitara. while driving, the instrument panel gauges failed to provide accurate readings, and the engine, abs, asp, and air bag warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the abs failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired due…”
2019-04-10 · Unknown Or Other · 69,000 mi“the unit have been consuming coolant in excess.after a profesional inspection was detected a crack in the engine block.this is exactly the situation cover in the suzuki extensions of the warranty by the manufacturer.your recall bulletin exactly describe my situation.please clarify the suzuki representative in puerto rico that the warranty extension…”
2017-09-11 · Engine · 96,738 mi“while driving, noticed air conditioning would be cool then hot for about 3-5 minutes and cool again then hot again and repeat. turned off the ac when i noticed the engine temperature indicator getting hotter. took the car to a mechanic. he performed pressure test on cooling system and found engine block cracked and leaking coolant, left side und…”
2017-07-09 · Unknown Or Other“takata recall? air bag and passenger air bag sensor lights stay on. only have 70,000 miles on car. abs/esp light stays on…”
2017-02-07 · Engine · 87,000 mi“when car was initially started, after few minutes of warm up time, heat was activated and no heat was dispersed. began driving, despite no heat. within 1 mile traveling less that 15 mph, the temparature gage increased to the highest level, still without heat in car. (picture 1) as speed increased, temperature gage rapidly fluctuated and esp wa…”
2016-03-09 · Exterior Lighting“i have had to replace my headlight bulbs so many times over the last five years, i have lost count. now i am being told even though my mechanic replaced the bulb again, that i should replace both headlight assemblies at a cost of $240 each to solve this problem. i have seen so many complaints about headlight bulbs for many model year grand vitar…”
2015-04-19 · Exterior Lighting · 44,000 mi“both low beam headlights failed while driving at night. *tr…”
2012-07-24 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · 12,400 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 suzuki grand vitara. the contact stated that the anti-lock braking system warning light and the esp off warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to dealer and inspected. the dealer stated that the anti-lock braking system was found defective. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 12,400 and the cu…”
2011-07-19 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 40,000 mi“2009 suzuki vitara air conditioner compressor has failed upon 2 year ownership. it is not covered under the warranty per suzuki dealership. while driving at normal speed, a popping sound occurs and the air begins to blow hot air. the events leading up to this was the highbeam/lowbeam lights burn out within 3 months of ownership. then pulley sys…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.