WHILE DRIVING THE 2004 SUZUKI XL-7'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE A GUARDRAIL. *TS *NM
2004 Suzuki XL-7
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Suzuki XL-7 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 26.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all XL-7 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
37 reports with mileage · 8 unknown
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.
- Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 6 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
45 reportsTHE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED HERTZ THROUGH WHOM WE HAVE A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR OIL CHANGES AND SUCH. HERTZ SCHEDULED US IN RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. HERTZ TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP, JIM SMOLICH MOTORS. JSM TOLD HERTZ THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS GROUNDING OUT AND THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE.…
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THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED HERTZ THROUGH WHOM WE HAVE A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR OIL CHANGES AND SUCH. HERTZ SCHEDULED US IN RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. HERTZ TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP, JIM SMOLICH MOTORS. JSM TOLD HERTZ THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS GROUNDING OUT AND THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY AT WILL WITH THIS PROBLEM. JSM TRIED TO CONTACT SUZUKI NA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER A KNOWN ISSUE SINCE VEHICLE WARRANTY OUT 5,000 MILES. JSM CONTACTED HERTZ AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED. HERTZ TOLD ME. ALSO TO ASK HOW TO PROCEED AS THIS WILL COST $1,500. I CONTACTED JSM, GOT VOICEMAIL SO I CALLED SUZUKI NA. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE CSR. SHE CONTACTED THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER CHRIS WHO WAS GOING TO JSM WHO SEEMED UNAWARE OF THE SITUATION UP TILL THAT POINT. HE SAID HE WOULD REVIEW THE SITUATION AND MAKE A DECISION. I CALLED JSM, SPOKE TO CRAIG, SERVICE ADVISOR. CRAIG TOLD ME THAT ''A DEALERSHIP WILL USUALLY SHOW GOOD FAITH AND DO A REPAIR SUCH AS THAT OUT OF WARRANTY BUT SINCE I DIDN'T BUY MY CAR AT THEIR DEALERSHIP THEY WERE NOT GOING TO EAT IT. I TOLD HIM IT WASN'T ABOUT HIS DEALERSHIP IT WAS ABOUT A KNOWN ISSUE NOT BEING DEALT WITH AND THAT CHRIS WAS UNAWARE OF MY ISSUE. HE SAID HE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT CHRIS HAD BEEN TOLD ABOUT IT BUT HE KNEW THEY HAD BEEN WORKING WITH SUZUKI ON MY ISSUE AND SUZUKI DENIED MY ISSUE SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM IT WASN'T ABOUT THE WARRANTY, IT WAS ABOUT A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE GOING UN-ADDRESSED. HE SAID ANY CAR THAT BREAKS DOWN COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THINGS WEAR OUT. WAS HE SERIOUSLY COMPARING AN AIRBAG DEPLOYING AT WILL TO AN ENGINE BURNING UP BECAUSE SOMEONE DIDN'T PUT OIL IN IT, OR A WATER PUMP GOING OUT? HOW MANY CAR ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS ARE CAUSED BY A BAD BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR? ASKED SUZUKI CSR IF I NEEDED TO GET THE CAR BACK, DRIVE IT, AND LET THE AIRBAG DEPLOY IN ORDER TO GET RESOLUTION IN THIS MATTER WITH A LAWSUIT. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN SNOW WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V452000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER AN ACCIDENT, WATER BEGAN TO LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD FROM UNDER THE DASH. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE WATER LEAK WAS NOT A PROBLEM. THE WATER LEAK CAUSED THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO SHORT AND THE HEATER, DEFROST, AND AIR CONDITIONER ARE NOW INOPERABLE.
DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHEN THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CONTACT WENT FROM DAYLIGHT TO NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON. THIS HAPPENED CONSISTENTLY. THE TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON UNLESS HE TURNED THEM ON MANUALLY FROM THE SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT ALL OF THE XL 7S WERE …
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DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHEN THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CONTACT WENT FROM DAYLIGHT TO NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON. THIS HAPPENED CONSISTENTLY. THE TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON UNLESS HE TURNED THEM ON MANUALLY FROM THE SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THAT ALL OF THE XL 7S WERE THE SAME WAY.*AK
DT: 2004 SUZUKI XL7. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS STICKING ON 2004 SUZUKI XL7. WHEN I APPLYING THE BRAKES IT PICKS UP SPEED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, AND HAD VIN CHECKED. THEY STATED THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT NEIGHBOR'S POST WHI…
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DT: 2004 SUZUKI XL7. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS STICKING ON 2004 SUZUKI XL7. WHEN I APPLYING THE BRAKES IT PICKS UP SPEED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, AND HAD VIN CHECKED. THEY STATED THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT NEIGHBOR'S POST WHICH THE CONSUMER REPAIRED, BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE NEIGHBORS CALLED THE POLICE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONSUMER REPORTED THE ACCIDENT T INSURANCE COMPANY. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND JUST TOOK OFF. *AK
WE PURCHASED A 2004 XL7 MAY 28 2004 AND CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 38K MILES. SO FAR WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINING TWICE SO THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON IT'S THIRD SET OF BRAKES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM. MY FATHER ALSO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE, WITH 36K MILES. HE TOO HAS HAD THE BRAKE LINING REPLACED TWICE. THIS C…
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WE PURCHASED A 2004 XL7 MAY 28 2004 AND CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 38K MILES. SO FAR WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINING TWICE SO THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON IT'S THIRD SET OF BRAKES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM. MY FATHER ALSO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE, WITH 36K MILES. HE TOO HAS HAD THE BRAKE LINING REPLACED TWICE. THIS CANNOT BE NORMAL! PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *JB
DT: THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. TODAY WAS THE FOURTH TIME THAT CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT CAUSED THIS LIGHT TO GO OFF FOR A FEW DAYS. THE DIGITAL CLOCK ALSO BEGINS TO FLASH. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY WI…
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DT: THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. TODAY WAS THE FOURTH TIME THAT CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT CAUSED THIS LIGHT TO GO OFF FOR A FEW DAYS. THE DIGITAL CLOCK ALSO BEGINS TO FLASH. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY WITHOUT IMPACT OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. DEALERSHIP WAS COOPERATING WITH NOT CHARGING FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT OR DIAGNOSTIC.*AK
FIRST OF ALL, I AM A MOTHER OF 5 AND DO NOT MISUSE MY VEHICLE. REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE . THE FIRST TIME WAS IN MAY 2004. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, HAD TO HAVE IT IN 3 TIMES FOR THE KEYLESS ENTRY, 1 TIME TO RESET AIRBAG SENSOR, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES SQUEALING.…
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FIRST OF ALL, I AM A MOTHER OF 5 AND DO NOT MISUSE MY VEHICLE. REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE . THE FIRST TIME WAS IN MAY 2004. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, HAD TO HAVE IT IN 3 TIMES FOR THE KEYLESS ENTRY, 1 TIME TO RESET AIRBAG SENSOR, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES SQUEALING. , AND HAD BRAKE FAILURE ONCE, BUT NO ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, INTERIOR LIGHT FAILED.*AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN WHILE BEING DRIVEN. DRIVER HAD TO STOMP ON BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK
Official recalls
205V452000 · 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.
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.
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.
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