Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 · model year

2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7

15 NHTSA complaints, and 2 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
15
Recalls
2

The verdict

The 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 posts top-quartile complaint standing among its own model-year siblings.

Top 20%
fewest complaints, own model years
2
recall campaigns

The 2001SuzukiGrand Vitara XL-7 carries 15 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, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2001 Grand Vitara XL-7 is tires with 2 filings, followed by vehicle speed control:cables (2) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2001 Grand Vitara XL-7. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

15
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

15 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER1
AIR BAGS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1

Recalls (2)

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.

00E08000026/12/2000

WHEELS

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: STEEL REPLACEMENT WHEELS, PART NO. 4310-665D21-27S, USED FOR SPARE PARTS ON 1999-2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA AND 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED WHEELS WERE PRODUCED FROM JULY 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2000. THE THICKNESS OF THE STEEL

Recent Complaints

20090318SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL7. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES LOCKED WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A SWERVING VEHICLE. TWO OF THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE RIGHT. THE HOSES ALSO BLEW OUT AND LEFT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY BRAKES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO SAFETY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V452000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR). THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN $200 TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20070614FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS BURNING INSIDE THE GAS TANK, WHICH CAUSES NO CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE. SUZUKI ADVISED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE RECALL SERVICED FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 167,000.

Mileage: 167,000

20050722ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

CONSUMER COMPLAINING ABOUT ENGINE NOISE INVOLVING THE 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA.*MR CONSUMER WAS TOLD NOISE IS FROM TIMING CHAIN AND HAD THE TENSIONER ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED. [XXX] IS THE VIN. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20050429ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

MY WIFE'S 2001 SUZUKI XL-7 HAS MADE AN ENGINE NOISE SINCE SHE BOUGHT IT. WE HAD IT SERVICED AT 32,000 MILES FOR A RECALL AND NOTHING WAS SAID BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ( STILL UNDER WARRANTY ) AGAIN AT 64,000 PLUS WE HAD IT SERVICED AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT TESIONER PUT ON FOR AROUND $1300.00 DOLLARS. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID TO GO BY A DEALERSHIP AND GET THE DISTRICT MANAGER'S NUMBER TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I DID , AND I CALLED : ONLY TO BE TOTALLY DISRESPECTED BY THE DISTRICT MANAGER ([XXX]) , HE REALLY DIDN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT I GOT HIS PHONE NUMBER AND TOLD ME SO ; I HOPE HE LIKES IT NOW! THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE HAS REALLY NOT SHOWN ANY CONCERN ABOUT MY FAMILY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE EITHER SO I'M TELLING EVERYONE THAT DONALD CRAIG SUZUKI IN MOORESVILLE , NC COULD CARE LESS ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS AFTER YOU BUY A CAR FROM THEM AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS E

20041228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO CEASE. THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND CHAIN WAS $3600. THIS VEHICLE IS 38 MONTHS OLD WITH 52,000 MILES OF WEAR: 2001 SUZUKI XL7. *JB

Mileage: 52,000

20040917AIR BAGS

THE CLOCK SPRING SWITCH FAILED. AS A RESULT, AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK

Mileage: 39,977

20040426TIRES

WHILE DRIVING, ALL 4 TIRES MALFUNCTIONED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BRIDGESTONE, 235/60R16. *AK

Mileage: 2,800

20040415VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

LETTER REQUESTING REPORTS RELATED TO THE DEFECT ON THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE OF THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA ND GRAND VITARA XL-7. *PH CONSUMER HAD TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE CONSUMER WITH REPORTS AND INFORMATION WITH THE COMPONENT. *LA

20040414SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT TWISTED AROUND THE CHILD'S WAIST. AS A RESULT, THE CHILD WAS TRAPPED FOR 7 HOURS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE CHILD. *AK *SC *JB

Mileage: 77,000

20040312VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NHTSA 03V51200 REGARDING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CASING CAP. DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

Mileage: 35,500

20031128EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

LIGHTS DIM/BLINK WHEN VEHICAL IS SHIFTED TO ANOTHER GEAR. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THIS IS NORMAL DUE TO THE LOWER VOLTAGE SUPPLIED BY ALTERNATOR AT LOW RPM. THIS SOMETIMES IS DANGEROUS AT NIGHT WHEN ONES GOES TO SHIFT AND LIGHTS DIM.*AK

20030815POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION MAKES HUGE GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE - THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN WRITING BY AUTHORIZED SUZUKI SERVICE CENTER AS NORMAL YET SOUND. NLY OCCURRED IN 24TH MONTH OF OWNERSHIP.*AK

Mileage: 23,500

20030603ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

A BURNING ODOR IN THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP TWICE. HAVE SPOKEN WITH SUZUKI COMPANY WHO HAS TOLD ME TO CONTINUE TAKING IT TO DEALER. THE DEALER ONLY STEAM CLEANS THE ENGINE. *NLM

20020813SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN LOCKING THE SEAT BELT BELT WILL GET STUCK, AND CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO TAKE BELT OFF. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

20010411TIRES

CURRENT TIRES HAVE INSUFFICIENT WEAR RATINGS TO CARRY PASSENGER LOAD. CURRENT TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE (P235/70R16) WITH A RATING OF 300. CONSUMER FEELS THAT RATING ON TIRES SHOULD BE 400 TO 450. DEALER HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PRESSURE SHOULD BE LOWERED TO 28 PSI, CONSUMER FEELS THIS PSI IS LOWER THAN IT SHOULD BE. *AK *SLC

Compare 2001SuzukiGrand Vitara XL-7 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 have?▼
The 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 has 15 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7?▼
Yes, the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 has 2 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 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7?▼
The most-complained component for the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 is TIRES with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS.
Is the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 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.

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.