Total Complaints
24 filings
SUZUKI GRAND VITARA · model year
24 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009SUZUKIGRAND VITARA carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 2009 GRAND VITARA is air bags with 3 filings, followed by electrical system (3) and electronic stability control (esc) (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 2009 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.
Total Complaints
24 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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 SUZUK
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
SEATS
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
AIR BAGS
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, dur
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] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Mileage: 88,259
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] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Mileage: 88,259
NO WORD ABS AND ESP,
Mileage: 35,000
NO WORD ABS AND ESP,
Mileage: 35,000
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 TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 113,000
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 TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 113,000
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 TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 113,000
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 EXTENSIONS IS VALID FOR PR UNITS.THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Mileage: 69,000
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 UNDER EXHAUST MANIFOLD. VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND WILL CAUSE ME TO BE STRANDED. COULD BE SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID #10054717.
Mileage: 96,738
TAKATA RECALL? AIR BAG AND PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS STAY ON. ONLY HAVE 70,000 MILES ON CAR. ABS/ESP LIGHT STAYS ON
TAKATA RECALL? AIR BAG AND PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS STAY ON. ONLY HAVE 70,000 MILES ON CAR. ABS/ESP LIGHT STAYS ON
TAKATA RECALL? AIR BAG AND PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS STAY ON. ONLY HAVE 70,000 MILES ON CAR. ABS/ESP LIGHT STAYS ON
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 WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON DASH. (PICTURE 2) PULLED OFF HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS, ENGINE FOUND TO BE SMOKING. DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE CRACK., CRACK SEALED FOR TEMPORARY FUNCTION, WITHIN DAYS OF SEAL, SAME SYMPTOMS AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, BUT TOTAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN FOLLOWING ESP WARNING LIGHTS. ACCELERATION HALTED, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKES DIFFICULT TO WORK. AFTER SITTING OFF, CAR UNABLE TO START.
Mileage: 87,000
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 WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON DASH. (PICTURE 2) PULLED OFF HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS, ENGINE FOUND TO BE SMOKING. DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE CRACK., CRACK SEALED FOR TEMPORARY FUNCTION, WITHIN DAYS OF SEAL, SAME SYMPTOMS AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, BUT TOTAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN FOLLOWING ESP WARNING LIGHTS. ACCELERATION HALTED, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKES DIFFICULT TO WORK. AFTER SITTING OFF, CAR UNABLE TO START.
Mileage: 87,000
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 WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON DASH. (PICTURE 2) PULLED OFF HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS, ENGINE FOUND TO BE SMOKING. DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE CRACK., CRACK SEALED FOR TEMPORARY FUNCTION, WITHIN DAYS OF SEAL, SAME SYMPTOMS AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, BUT TOTAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN FOLLOWING ESP WARNING LIGHTS. ACCELERATION HALTED, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKES DIFFICULT TO WORK. AFTER SITTING OFF, CAR UNABLE TO START.
Mileage: 87,000
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 VITARAS. I THINK SUZUKI SHOULD RECALL THE 2007-2011 GRAND VITARA HEADLIGHTS FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND OVERALL CUSTOMER GOODWILL.
BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
Mileage: 44,000
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 CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,900. UPDATED 8/24/12 *CN
Mileage: 12,400
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 SYSTEM FAILS. THEN THE COMPRESSOR. THIS ALL TAKES WITHIN 2 YEARS. TO REPAIR THE COMPRESSOR, THERE ARE NO "OLD" PARTS AND IT IS ONLY STOCKED WITH THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. YOU ARE FORCED TO PAY THEIR PRICE FOR REPLACING UNIT, EVEN THOUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND FILTERING UNIT IS COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR/OR 100000 MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT IS WAS COVERED THEN 6 HOURS LATER THEY SAID IT WASN'T AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COMPRESSOR TELLING ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LET ME "WIN THE LOTTERY". OUR SUZUKI HAS 40,000 MILES CURRENTLY. A TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. *KB
Mileage: 40,000
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 SYSTEM FAILS. THEN THE COMPRESSOR. THIS ALL TAKES WITHIN 2 YEARS. TO REPAIR THE COMPRESSOR, THERE ARE NO "OLD" PARTS AND IT IS ONLY STOCKED WITH THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP. YOU ARE FORCED TO PAY THEIR PRICE FOR REPLACING UNIT, EVEN THOUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND FILTERING UNIT IS COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR/OR 100000 MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT IS WAS COVERED THEN 6 HOURS LATER THEY SAID IT WASN'T AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COMPRESSOR TELLING ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO LET ME "WIN THE LOTTERY". OUR SUZUKI HAS 40,000 MILES CURRENTLY. A TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. *KB
Mileage: 40,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.