SUZUKI XL-7 · model year

2001 SUZUKI XL-7

15 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001SUZUKIXL-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 2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, 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 2001 XL-7 is equipment:appliance:air conditioner with 3 filings, followed by vehicle speed control:cables (2) and engine and engine cooling:engine (2). 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 2 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 14 investigation files overlapping the 2001 XL-7. 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.

15
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

15 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
AIR BAGS1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1

Recalls (2)

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

20100923FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI XL7 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE ON THERE WAS SMOKING COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY COMING FROM THE LIGHT BULB WHEN FLAMES STARTED TO FORM. THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE AND TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE AGENCY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105000.

Mileage: 105,000

20090706EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI XL-7. SINCE JULY OF 2009, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT HAS BEEN BINDING AND FREEZING UP. THE CONTACT PULLED THE FUSE SO THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WOULD NOT FREEZE UP. HE DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONING DUE TO CONCERN THAT THE BELT MAY SNAP OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

20080430EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C COMPRESSOR SEIZING/ JUST OVER 100,000 MILES AND MECHANIC SAID THIS IS DEFECT AND COMMON BUT SUZUKI IS IGNORING PROBLEM. ALSO THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

20080117ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 2001 SUZUKI XL-7 THE AC COMPRESSOR STARTED MAKING A NOISE WHEN YOU TURNED IT ON. AND THEN ONE DAY WE WHERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I TURNED THE AIR ON AND MY VEHICLE DIED. WE COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO START IT, BUT NOTHING. SO, I TURNED THE SWITCH OFF TO THE AIR AND THE VEHICLE STARTED BACK. I HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR WHICH WAS NOT CHEAP. AND NOW IT IS STARTING TO MAKE THE SAME NOISE I BEFORE. WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER 900.00 TO REPLACE THIS ONE. AND SUZUKI REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I ALSO TOLD THEM ABOUT THE VEHICLE STALLING OUT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN THE COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. THEY DIDN'T CARE. *TR

Mileage: 55

20080117VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

I HAVE A 2001 SUZUKI XL-7 THE AC COMPRESSOR STARTED MAKING A NOISE WHEN YOU TURNED IT ON. AND THEN ONE DAY WE WHERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I TURNED THE AIR ON AND MY VEHICLE DIED. WE COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO START IT, BUT NOTHING. SO, I TURNED THE SWITCH OFF TO THE AIR AND THE VEHICLE STARTED BACK. I HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR WHICH WAS NOT CHEAP. AND NOW IT IS STARTING TO MAKE THE SAME NOISE I BEFORE. WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER 900.00 TO REPLACE THIS ONE. AND SUZUKI REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I ALSO TOLD THEM ABOUT THE VEHICLE STALLING OUT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN THE COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. THEY DIDN'T CARE. *TR

Mileage: 55

20060807POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LOUD WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND THE FRONT AXEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 21,500

20060801EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE A/C COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED AT APPROX. 47,000 MILES. I HAVE CHECKED WITH MANY OTHER SUZUKI OWNERS AND THE DEALERSHIP HERE LOCALLY. THEY ALL STATE THIS IS COMMON FOR SUZUKI'S. DUE TO THE HIGH REPLACEMENT COST OF THE COMPRESSOR I AM CURRENTLY WITHOUT A/C WITH A 110 DEGREE HEAT INDEX. I WILL BE PURCHASING THE NEW COMPRESSOR AND HAVING IT INSTALLED SOON. *JB

Mileage: 47,000

20051030ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 2001 SUZUKI XL7 4X4, 51,000 MILES. SUZUKI WON'T HONOR THEIR WARRANTY FOR THIS ENGINE. THE WARRANTY IS FOR 100,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS ON THE ENGINE. WELL, I HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY SUZUKI XL7. THERE IS AN ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW IN THE AUTOMATIC TENSION ADJUSTMENT FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AS NOTED IN A SUZUKI INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETIN. SUZUKI TURNS A DEAF EAR AND BLIND EYE TO THIS PROBLEM. IT WILL COST ME $3,000 TO FIX MY CAR. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED ON ME, WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AT 1:00 A.M., IN THE MORNING, ON OCT. 5, 2005. I WAS PETRIFIED WHEN THIS HAPPEN TO ME. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE WORKED ON IT BEFORE (SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES ARE ALL I HAVE HAD DONE TO IT) THAT THEY WON'T HONOR THE WARRANTY BUT WILL FIX IT FOR A FEE. I AM NOW FACED WITH A BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT RUN AND STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO THE BANK. WITH NO WAY TO GET TO WORK AND EARN INCOME, I AM NOW FACED WITH LOS

Mileage: 51,000

20051030ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 2001 SUZUKI XL7 4X4, 51,000 MILES. SUZUKI WON'T HONOR THEIR WARRANTY FOR THIS ENGINE. THE WARRANTY IS FOR 100,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS ON THE ENGINE. WELL, I HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY SUZUKI XL7. THERE IS AN ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW IN THE AUTOMATIC TENSION ADJUSTMENT FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AS NOTED IN A SUZUKI INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETIN. SUZUKI TURNS A DEAF EAR AND BLIND EYE TO THIS PROBLEM. IT WILL COST ME $3,000 TO FIX MY CAR. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED ON ME, WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AT 1:00 A.M., IN THE MORNING, ON OCT. 5, 2005. I WAS PETRIFIED WHEN THIS HAPPEN TO ME. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE WORKED ON IT BEFORE (SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES ARE ALL I HAVE HAD DONE TO IT) THAT THEY WON'T HONOR THE WARRANTY BUT WILL FIX IT FOR A FEE. I AM NOW FACED WITH A BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT RUN AND STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO THE BANK. WITH NO WAY TO GET TO WORK AND EARN INCOME, I AM NOW FACED WITH LOS

Mileage: 51,000

20050104INTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN ACCELERATING AT ANY TIME DOOR AJAR SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. *AK

Mileage: 37,000

20050104STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

WHEN ACCELERATING AT ANY TIME DOOR AJAR SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. *AK

Mileage: 37,000

20040519CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATOR STICKING. *MR CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN TWO COLLISIONS WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS INSTALLED, BUT A FEW MONTHS LATER VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. *LA

20040223VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WHILE DRIVING, AIR WAS COMING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 5,000

20040128AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. TOOK IN TO BE CHECKED, SEEMS THAT THE CLOCKSPRING HAS A SHORT. *AK

Mileage: 49,225

20040108CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

THE DRIVER STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. DRIVER PRESSED ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ZIG ZAG AND LOSE CONTROL. VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND HIT A FENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK RECALL# 03V512000 ONE WEEK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *SC

Compare 2001SUZUKIXL-7 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 SUZUKI XL-7 have?
The 2001 SUZUKI XL-7 has 15 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 SUZUKI XL-7?
Yes, the 2001 SUZUKI XL-7 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 SUZUKI XL-7?
The most-complained component for the 2001 SUZUKI XL-7 is EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 2001 SUZUKI 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.

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.