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2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 11 of 29 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

8 reports
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186,789 miles · Nov 14, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL

NHTSA ODI #11151386

70,000 miles · Jul 23, 2008
Electrical 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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10235550

48,400 miles · May 19, 2006
Electrical 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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10157877

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

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

NHTSA ODI #10101062

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

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…

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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 CONNECTOR FROM NEW LOOM TO REPAIR SEPARATED MOST PINS HAD TO SOLDER IN 4 WIRES AND SECURE RE ASSEMBLED AND TEST WORKING FINE NOW." 10/4/04 - RECEIVED RECALL LETTER: "MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. 10/8/04 - HAD CAR FIXED. INVOICE STATES: SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TO FIX TIMING COVER WHICH IS LEAKING. 10/9/04 - NHTSA OFFICE WEB SITE HAS RECALL I HAVENT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT AND NEED TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T INVOLVE MY VEHICLE: WINDSHIELD. *NM UPDATED 07/27/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10095586

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Electrical System

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER LAST WEEK CONCERNING THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND IT WAS THE CONSUMER'S CHOICE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS OR PARK IT. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER THAT WAS 40 MILES AWAY TO HA…

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THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER LAST WEEK CONCERNING THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND IT WAS THE CONSUMER'S CHOICE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS OR PARK IT. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER THAT WAS 40 MILES AWAY TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10051917

3,322 miles · Nov 27, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHEN WARMING OUT, CAR SOMETIMES SURGES AND CUTS OUT CAUSING CAR TO NOT BE STEERED OR TO STOP. IT ALSO SOMETIMES WILL NOT START. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047699

6,000 miles · Oct 24, 2003
Electrical SystemStructure

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AIR COMING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ALL WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL CAME ON AND WENT OFF BY THEMSELVES. THIS IS A HAZARD TO THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. THIS WAS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044680

Official recalls

4

05V452000 · 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.

03V223000 · Visibility:windshield

Jun 16, 2003

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 STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT APPLIED DURING THE SECOND-STAGE PAINTING PROCESS AND THE PAINT APPLIED DURING FINAL-STAGE PAINTING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.