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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

What owners actually said

29 reports
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 · Oct 4, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V512000 CONCERNING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP. IT HAS BEEN TEN MONTHS AND THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10095025

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2004
Visibility

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V223000 CONCERNING FMVSS 212 WINDSHIELD MOUNTING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SIX MONTHS AGO FOR RECALL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10095024

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2004
Tires

ORIGINAL GOODYEAR TIRES NEEDED REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THEM. CALLED DEALER TO COMPLAIN AND THEY SAID IF WE GOT 15,000 MILES OUT OF THEM WE WERE DOING GOOD! FOR A VEHICLE THAT COSTS OVER $20,000 I CERTAINLY EXPECTED A BETTER QUALITY TIRE! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10082439

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2004
Structure

REAR DOOR TRIM HAS PEELED BACK AND SNAPPED OFF. DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY, THREE MONTHS LATER IT IS SNAPPED OFF AGAIN. BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND BOTH SIDES HAVE BROKEN AGAIN. DEALER IS SLOW IN ORDERING AND RECEIVING REPLACEMENT PARTS, EVEN SLOWER SCHEDULING A TIME TO REPAIR. DEALER FELT THAT "TAPING IT DOWN W…

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REAR DOOR TRIM HAS PEELED BACK AND SNAPPED OFF. DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY, THREE MONTHS LATER IT IS SNAPPED OFF AGAIN. BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND BOTH SIDES HAVE BROKEN AGAIN. DEALER IS SLOW IN ORDERING AND RECEIVING REPLACEMENT PARTS, EVEN SLOWER SCHEDULING A TIME TO REPAIR. DEALER FELT THAT "TAPING IT DOWN WITH BLACK TAPE WAS SUFFICIENT UNTIL THE PARTS COME IN." IT HAS BEEN OVER SIX MONTHS SINCE THE PASSENGER REAR TRIM HAS BEEN ORDERED. MEANWHILE, I AM DRIVING AROUND IN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE HOLDING DOWN THE TRIM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10082436

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

E-MAIL FWD FM WEBMASTER REQUEST ALL RESEARCH MATERIALS RE 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 03V512000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES, ES HAVE NO RECORD OF PREVIOUS. *MR *NM

NHTSA ODI #10081893

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

RECALL SEARCH REQUEST REGARDING 2003 GRAND VITARA.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUEST INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2003 GRAND VITARA RECALL REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES (03V512000). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10081924

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

E-MAIL FM WEBMASTER REQUEST ALL RESEARCH MATERIALS RE 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, NHTSA CAMPAIGN 1D 03V512000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES.*MR *NM

NHTSA ODI #10080105

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlVisibility

RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM DEALER. HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE PARTS TO NO AVAIL. I AM WORRIED FOR MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY FAMILY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING FUNNY NOISES AND THE ACCELERATOR SEEMS FAST. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10075149

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V512000 IN JANUARY 2004 REGARDING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FIREWALL WHICH COULD CRACK DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO FORCES FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, AND INSUFFICIENT LONG TERM DURABILITY OF THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE …

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CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V512000 IN JANUARY 2004 REGARDING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FIREWALL WHICH COULD CRACK DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO FORCES FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, AND INSUFFICIENT LONG TERM DURABILITY OF THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. DEALERSHIP STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO CALL MANUFACTURER AND TELL HIM TO HURRY UP WITH PARTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10071734

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.