2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (4) · Tires (1) · Structure (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 (7)
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.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2012-07-25 · ABE-ZA-120418 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki: see document search button for owner letter. warranty extension for 'air bag' warning light illumination. *js updated 7/25/12. *pe
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2012-06-12 · TSB-TS06-05212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki: the front passenger seat bottom cushion assembly has the sensor mat located within and the electric disconnection (open) will occur due to repeated flexing, that may develop. *pe updated 04/10/2013 *js
Air Bags:frontal 2012-05-13 · SC-60R-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki: on certain vehicles, within the front passenger seat bottom cushion, the sensing sensor mat, an electric circuit disconnection may have developed, due to repeated flexing. *pe
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2012-01-01 · TS-34-04262 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suzuki: service manual update: tensioner and idler pulley removal and installation. *js
Showing the 6 most recent of 7 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-12-13 · Unknown Or Other“i just purchased this vehicle new and it does have recalls and i had i am trying to find out if the recalls have been repaired or still need done please thank you…”
2018-02-20 · Air Bags · 38,826 mi“lleve mi auto a triangle suzuki en la ave. 65 inf. km 5.4 en carolina con telfono 787-776-3023 ya que soy el cliente # 29676 debido a que tenia las luz del air bag encendida. luego de ellos revisar dicho suzuki quien tenia el tag 5406 encontraron el cogin defectuoso con cdigo b1312. donde ellos facturan la cantidad de $267.00 por la reparacin del …”
2014-06-07 · Structure“front passenger side floor holds water when air conditioner is on and the inside floor is starting to rust this is of no fault of my own this is a defect. *tr…”
2014-05-19 · Tires · 27,400 mi“i have almost 27,400 miles on my truck and the tires are dry rotted which they shouldnt be like that i do not drive far at all i am a very unsatisfied customer the tire sizes are p225 70 r16. *js…”
2014-04-01 · Air Bags“2011 suzuki grand vitara recalled approx. oct. 2013. suzuki sent a letter saying that parts were not available and would fix when available. it's been 6 months. how long is it supposed to take to manufacture these parts? did their parts suppliers go bankrupt also? dealer now sells another brand and doesn't seem to know (or care) anything about when…”
2014-03-27 · Air Bags“brown daub dealership knows of this recall and they refuse to honor this recall there phone number is 484-298-0000. *tr…”
2013-12-11 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“2011 suzuki grand vitara. consumer writes in regards to air bag recall notice and air bag malfunction during an accident. *smd the consumer stated he/she received a recall notice regarding a defect with the air bags. the consumer began having problems with the air bag light on and off since the vehicle was purchased in 2012. however, the consum…”
2013-08-08 · Electrical System · 72,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 suzuki grand vitara. the contact stated nhtsa campaign number 11v055000 electrical system repair was performed; however, the failure was not corrected. the steering wheel made a loud squeaking and rattle noise while making a left or right turn. the vehicle was taken to the mechanic for inspection, which located the failu…”
2012-12-03 · Service Brakes · 33,000 mi“the power brakes don't work when it is cold like 40 degrees. *tr…”
2011-09-16 · Fuel System, Gasoline“this is an update to an earlier complaint #10425314. the vehicle is a 2011, not a 2012 as indicated in above reference number. thank you. *tt…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.