SUZUKI GRAND VITARA · model year

2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA

37 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003SUZUKIGRAND VITARA carries 37 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 GRAND VITARA is vehicle speed control:cables with 9 filings, followed by electrical system (5) and electrical system:ignition (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2003 GRAND VITARA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

37
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

37 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
STRUCTURE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
TIRES:SIDEWALL1
TIRES1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER1

Recalls (4)

04V42700030/08/2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

03V22300016/06/2003

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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 STANDA

03V51200005/12/2003

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

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 IN

05V45200005/10/2005

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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.

Recent Complaints

20181114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL

Mileage: 186,789

20181114FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL

Mileage: 186,789

20110707POWER TRAIN

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO AN EXISTING RECALL ON MY 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING TWO DAYS AGO, THE THROTTLE CABLE BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I WAS ULTIMATELY ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. AFTERWARD, I DISCOVERED AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM THE SUZUKI DEALER IN 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JANUARY 9, 2004, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2003. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR SUZUKI TO HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. SUZUKI'S NEGLIGENCE PUT ME IN GREAT DANGER AND RESULTED IN TOWING AND OTHER COSTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL WAS PROPERLY HANDLED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI MOTORS OF AMERICA TO DESCRIBE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE ONLY OFFER IT TO FIX THE RECALL ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR ERROR IN SELLING THE V

Mileage: 98,000

20110707VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO AN EXISTING RECALL ON MY 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING TWO DAYS AGO, THE THROTTLE CABLE BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I WAS ULTIMATELY ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. AFTERWARD, I DISCOVERED AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM THE SUZUKI DEALER IN 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JANUARY 9, 2004, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2003. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR SUZUKI TO HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. SUZUKI'S NEGLIGENCE PUT ME IN GREAT DANGER AND RESULTED IN TOWING AND OTHER COSTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL WAS PROPERLY HANDLED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI MOTORS OF AMERICA TO DESCRIBE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE ONLY OFFER IT TO FIX THE RECALL ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR ERROR IN SELLING THE V

Mileage: 98,000

20100930LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

MY GAS COVER FELL OFF MY CAR DO TO THE LATCH HOLDING IT ON. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20080723ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS GROUNDING OUT AGAINST THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE CURRENT RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY OF THE FAILURES NOTED IN THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20080721FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING FUEL LOSS IN THE IGNITION SOURCE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL WAS NOT ENTERING THE IGNITION, CAUSING A NO-START CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS SAME FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED IF THE FAILURE IS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HER HOME AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

Mileage: 64,000

20060519ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER ANY CONDITIONS OR SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. AFTERWARDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IT US UNABLE TO BE PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION UNTIL THE FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS THE PROBLEM HOWEVER IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT REPAIRS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 48,400

20050708CrashAIR BAGS

DT: CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 6-19-05. SOMEONE HIT HER. THE CAR TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND LANDED ON ITS TOP. THE PERSON WHO HIT HER WAS GOING APPROX. 70 MPH WHEN SHE CAME ACROSS THE LANE OF TRAFFIC AND HIT HER. SHE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE FEELS THAT BECAUSE THE CAR FLIPPED OVER, THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. SHE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *JB

Mileage: 15,100

20050310SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE USAGE, THE REAR RIGHT SEAT BELT SHREDDED IN HALF. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

Mileage: 50,000

20041214FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

CONTINUALLY UPON STARTING VEHICLE, GO INSIDE AND CAME BACK OUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONSUMER HAD TO FILE FOR BANKRUPCY AND VOLUNTARY REPO BECAUSE HE COULD NOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FROM STATE TO STATE TO BE SERVICED. CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V427000 *TC

20041117ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7. EVERYTIME THE CONSUMER CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THEY WERE WAITING ON THE PARTS. *TC *JB

20041117FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7. EVERYTIME THE CONSUMER CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THEY WERE WAITING ON THE PARTS. *TC *JB

20041117VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7. EVERYTIME THE CONSUMER CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THEY WERE WAITING ON THE PARTS. *TC *JB

20041012FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8/14/03 - 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, [XXX], PURCHASED AT SUZUKI OF DES MOINES, PO BOX 13377, DES MOINES IA 50310, 515-270-5800. 1/13/04 - RECEIVED RECALL LETTER REGARDING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP. 1/17/04 - HAD CAR REPAIRED. 9/9/04 - HEADLIGHTS ON AT END OF DAY WHEN LEAVING WORK AND BATTERY DEAD. JUMP-STARTED CAR AND TOOK TO DEALER; NOTICE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. 9/21/04 - CAR FINALLY FIXED. INVOICE STATES: DRL LIGHTS STAY ON PULLED INSIDE AND FOUND LIGHT DO NOT TURN OFF BUT MARKER LIGHTS NOT ON ALSO NOTICED BCM FLASHING CLOCK HOOKED UP TECH 2 AND FOUND CODE P1121 LOOKED UP CODE IN BOOK AND RUN TEST HAD TO REMOVE BCM FROM DASH TO INSPECT ECT WIRING RUN TEST AND BCM APPEARS TO BE OK BUT FOUND WIRE NOT GIVING PROPER READING DISCONNECT RELAY AND LIGHT STILL ON DISCONNECT HIGH BEAM RELAY AND LIGHTS GO OFF CHECKED AND FOUND HIGH/LOW SWITCH BURNT ORDERED PARTS REMOVED SWITCH TO REPLACE AND FOUND WIRE CONNECTOR IS BURNT EXTREMELY BAD HAD TO ORDER WIRE LOOM TO MAKE REPAIR USED CON

20041004VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V223000 CONCERNING FMVSS 212 WINDSHIELD MOUNTING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SIX MONTHS AGO FOR RECALL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

20041004VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V512000 CONCERNING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP. IT HAS BEEN TEN MONTHS AND THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

20040722TIRES

ORIGINAL GOODYEAR TIRES NEEDED REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THEM. CALLED DEALER TO COMPLAIN AND THEY SAID IF WE GOT 15,000 MILES OUT OF THEM WE WERE DOING GOOD! FOR A VEHICLE THAT COSTS OVER $20,000 I CERTAINLY EXPECTED A BETTER QUALITY TIRE! *JB

20040722STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

REAR DOOR TRIM HAS PEELED BACK AND SNAPPED OFF. DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY, THREE MONTHS LATER IT IS SNAPPED OFF AGAIN. BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND BOTH SIDES HAVE BROKEN AGAIN. DEALER IS SLOW IN ORDERING AND RECEIVING REPLACEMENT PARTS, EVEN SLOWER SCHEDULING A TIME TO REPAIR. DEALER FELT THAT "TAPING IT DOWN WITH BLACK TAPE WAS SUFFICIENT UNTIL THE PARTS COME IN." IT HAS BEEN OVER SIX MONTHS SINCE THE PASSENGER REAR TRIM HAS BEEN ORDERED. MEANWHILE, I AM DRIVING AROUND IN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE HOLDING DOWN THE TRIM. *JB

20040716VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

RECALL SEARCH REQUEST REGARDING 2003 GRAND VITARA.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUEST INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2003 GRAND VITARA RECALL REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES (03V512000). *NM

Compare 2003SUZUKIGRAND VITARA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA have?
The 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA has 37 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA?
Yes, the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA?
The most-complained component for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.