THE KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION AND FAILS TO TURN. WHEN THIS OCCURS IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE. THEN, WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTS AND IS TURNED OFF THE KEYS WILL NOT RELEASE. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND HAS ISSUED A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE KIT IS $45.00 PLUS LABOR.*AK
1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Vitara years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Vitara years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 25 of 108 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
108 reportsWINDSHIELD DEFOGGER SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ON RAINY DAYS, OR IN COLD WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP. TURNING ON THE DEFOGGER MAKES IT WORSE EVEN ON THE HIGHEST SETTINGS. THE ONLY THING THAT CLEARS IT EVENTUALLY IS ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS AN INCH ON EITHER SIDE LEFT OR REAR. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I P…
Read full complaint
WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ON RAINY DAYS, OR IN COLD WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP. TURNING ON THE DEFOGGER MAKES IT WORSE EVEN ON THE HIGHEST SETTINGS. THE ONLY THING THAT CLEARS IT EVENTUALLY IS ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS AN INCH ON EITHER SIDE LEFT OR REAR. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE, BUT NOW IT IS GETTING WORST. *NM
THE FENDER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE IS VERY LOOSE. THE ENTIRE FENDER IS HELD ON BY PLASTIC FASTENERS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FASTENERS WITH OTHERS THAT WERE ALSO MADE OF PLASTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THREE MONTHS LATER THE FASTENERS STARTED TO FALL OUT AGAIN. *…
Read full complaint
THE FENDER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE IS VERY LOOSE. THE ENTIRE FENDER IS HELD ON BY PLASTIC FASTENERS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FASTENERS WITH OTHERS THAT WERE ALSO MADE OF PLASTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THREE MONTHS LATER THE FASTENERS STARTED TO FALL OUT AGAIN. *SC
1999 SUZUKI GRAND VARTARA AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER VEHICLE HITTING A @36'' TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY ROAD, POSTED SPEED 45MPH, DUE TO ICEY,AND SNOWEY CONDITIONS , DRIVER TRAVELED AT @ 30 MPH. CRESTING A HILL THE VEHICLE HIT A SNOW COVERED ICE PATCH., ON THE DOWN HILL SIDE THE VEHICLE MOVED RIGHT THE …
Read full complaint
1999 SUZUKI GRAND VARTARA AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER VEHICLE HITTING A @36'' TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY ROAD, POSTED SPEED 45MPH, DUE TO ICEY,AND SNOWEY CONDITIONS , DRIVER TRAVELED AT @ 30 MPH. CRESTING A HILL THE VEHICLE HIT A SNOW COVERED ICE PATCH., ON THE DOWN HILL SIDE THE VEHICLE MOVED RIGHT THE LEFT BEFORE MY DAUGHTER ( THE DRIVER) COULD REACT THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE TREE. MY DAUGHTER HIT HER HEAD AND FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY WIFE HIT SOMETHING THAT COULD NOT BE READALY IDENTIFIED AND RECIEVED A GASH IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD , A CONCUSION, AND HER LEG WAS JAMMED UNDE THE DASHBOARD. THE LEG WAS NOT BROKEN BUT SHE DOES NEED TO WEAR A KEG IMMOBILIZER FOR A FEW DAYS. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND TOWARDS THE CENTER. WITH THE SIZE OF THE TREE AND THE AMOUNT OF LEFT FRONT DAMAGE ONE WOULD EXPECT TO HAVE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOY AT THE VERY LEAST. WHILE NONE OF THESE INJURIES ARE LIFE THREATNING, I HAVE GREAT CONCERN , BECAUSE OUR FAMILY HAS 3 1999 GRAND VARTARS I DRIVE ONE , MY WIFE DRIVES ONE AND HER SISTER DRIVES ONE. THIS MAY ALL CHANGE VERY SOON., DEPENDING ON WHAT WE DO OR DO NOT FIND OUT ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I SEE ON YOU SITE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF GRAND VARTAR OWNERS REPORTING AIRBAG PROBLEMS. HOW MANY WILL IT TAKE BEFORE SOMEONRE THAKES THIS PROBLEM SERIOUS.*AK
CROSSOVER PIPE LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE BACK SEAT CRACKED. EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE. *AK
AFTER PURCHASING MY USED VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2003 THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHIFT HARD WHEN TAKEN OUT OF PARK, OR SWITCHING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE AND SO ON. OCCASIONALLY IF FELT LIKE THE GAS PEDAL MAY BE STICKING A BIT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & THE DEALER HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. BUT IT DI…
Read full complaint
AFTER PURCHASING MY USED VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2003 THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHIFT HARD WHEN TAKEN OUT OF PARK, OR SWITCHING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE AND SO ON. OCCASIONALLY IF FELT LIKE THE GAS PEDAL MAY BE STICKING A BIT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & THE DEALER HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP THE SHIFTING PROBLEM. ON DECEMBER 11, 2003 AROUND 4:00 AM, I WAS RETURNING FROM DOWN STATE ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY, IT WAS RAINING AND AROUND 34 DEGREES. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK & THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. SPINNING AROUND SEVERAL TIMES, STRIKING A GUARD RAIL, AND GOING BACKWARD INTO THE DITCH. THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ROLL-OVER BUT CAUGHT ON THE BANK AND SLAMMED BACK ON IT'S WHEELS. IT STRUCK HARD ENOUGH TO BEND 3 RIMS AND EXPLODE THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR. I AM CURRENTLY RECOVERING FROM MULTIPLE BACK & NECK INJURIES, INCLUDING TWO CRUSHED VERTEBRA AND NERVE DAMAGE CAUSING LOSS OF FUNCTION AND TREMENDOUS PAIN. I RECEIVED YOUR RECALL NOTICE ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE & CASING 3 1/2 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE ISSUED THE RECALL MORE EXPEDIENTLY. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WEREN'T WITH ME!*AK
BRAKES PRODUCE A GRINDING NOISE. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL FEBRUARY 26, 2004. *AK
I DID RECEIVE NOTICE OF A RECALL OF THE 1999 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA REGARDING AN PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND THE PLASTIC CASING WHICH ATTACHES IT TO THE FIREWALL. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT THREE TIMES AT THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE RECALL LETTER STATED THAT ALL SUZUKI DEALERSHIPS HAD TH…
Read full complaint
I DID RECEIVE NOTICE OF A RECALL OF THE 1999 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA REGARDING AN PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND THE PLASTIC CASING WHICH ATTACHES IT TO THE FIREWALL. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT THREE TIMES AT THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. THE RECALL LETTER STATED THAT ALL SUZUKI DEALERSHIPS HAD THE PARTS IN SHOP AND WERE READY TO CORRECT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN HOUSE AND WOULD NEED TO ORDER THEM AND THAT THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THEY GOT THEM IN. I MADE CONTACT WITH THEM ON MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2004. THE LETTER OF RECALL SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT ALL DEALERSHIP HAD PARTS ALREADY ON HAND TO CARE OF THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. I HAVE WAITED 9 DAYS TO HEAR FROM THEM AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CALL WHEN THE PARTS WERE IN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS RECALL MATTER AND SUZUKI HAS NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM EXPEDITIOUSLY AS THEIR LETTER STATED! *CB
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IT WAS TRAVELING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES, AND EACH TIME CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SHAKING. ONCE CONSUMER TOOK THE V…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IT WAS TRAVELING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES, AND EACH TIME CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SHAKING. ONCE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER, MECHANIC DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE CALIPERS WERE STICKING AT THE TIME OF ACCELERATION. *AK
Official recalls
405V452000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor
Oct 5, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT BRAKES MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE MAY PULL TO ONE SIDE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005. THESE VEHICLES ARE LOCATED ON ST. THOMAS ISLAND (VIRGIN ISLANDS). OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI DEL CARIBE AT 787-622-0600.
04V427000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Aug 30, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE FUEL DELIVER HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMP WITH AN IMPROVED CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
03V512000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Dec 5, 2003
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 INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE THROUGH THE CAP CAN CAUSE THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE TO BECOME FRAYED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE BECOMES FRAYED, IT CAN STICK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THE CASE WHERE AN ACCELERATOR CABLE STICKS, THE DRIVER COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING VEHICLE SPEED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, WHICH INCLUDES THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
01V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Apr 27, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE COULD INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM UNION AND A NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration