Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 1999. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2008.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Grand Vitara | 4 | 2 |
| 2012 Grand Vitara | 13 | 2 |
| 2011 Grand Vitara | 11 | 4 |
| 2010 Grand Vitara | 20 | 5 |
| 2009 Grand Vitara | 14 | 4 |
| 2008 Grand Vitara | 42 | 2 |
| 2007 Grand Vitara | 58 | 3 |
| 2006 Grand VitaraMost complaints | 161 | 6 |
| 2005 Grand Vitara | 1 | 1 |
| 2004 Grand Vitara | 8 | 2 |
| 2003 Grand Vitara | 29 | 4 |
| 2002 Grand Vitara | 47 | 4 |
| 2001 Grand Vitara | 38 | 5 |
| 2000 Grand Vitara | 85 | 4 |
| 1999 Grand VitaraMost complaints | 108 | 4 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Air bags134
- Electrical system82
- Exterior lighting80
- Vehicle speed control74
- Fuel system, gasoline63
- Engine and engine cooling49
- Service brakes, hydraulic48
- Power train47
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 61 Grand Vitara vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 46 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| 2012 | 5 | 4 |
| 2011 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 | 1 |
| 2007 | 5 | 3 |
| 2006 | 8 | 7 |
| 2005 | 3 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 | 2 |
| 2001 | 7 | 4 |
| 2000 | 8 | 10 |
| 1999 | 4 | 3 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 4 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2014 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV AWD | — | 18.5 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV AWD | — | 18.5 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV AWD | — | 18.5 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV AWD | — | 18.5 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 15 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 11.3–13.0 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Grand Vitara Urban/JX/JLX · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 10.2 | 11.5 |
| 2012 | Grand Vitara · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 10.2 | 11.5 |
| 2011 | Grand Vitara · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 10.2 | 11.5 |
| 2010 | Grand Vitara · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 10.2 | 11.5 |
| 2009 | Grand Vitara · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 9.6 | 11.3 |
| 2008 | Grand Vitara 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 11.0 | 12.6 |
| 2007 | Grand Vitara 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 11.0 | 12.6 |
| 2006 | Grand Vitara 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 11.0 | 12.6 |
| 2005 | Grand Vitara · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 11.5 | 13.0 |
| 2004 | Grand Vitara · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 11.5 | 13.0 |
| 2003 | Grand Vitara 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.8 | 11.4 | 12.8 |
| 2002 | Grand Vitara 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.8 | 11.4 | 12.8 |
| 2001 | Grand Vitara 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.8 | 11.4 | 12.8 |
| 2000 | Grand Vitara 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.8 | 11.4 | 12.8 |
| 1999 | Grand Vitara · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.8 | 11.4 | 12.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
5,921 Grand Vitara cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 60 | 60 | 0 |
| 2018 | 91 | 91 | 0 |
| 2017 | 139 | 139 | 0 |
| 2016 | 174 | 167 | 5 |
| 2015 | 237 | 227 | 3 |
| 2014 | 236 | 231 | 4 |
| 2013 | 295 | 288 | 6 |
| 2012 | 314 | 305 | 8 |
| 2011 | 293 | 282 | 9 |
| 2010 | 289 | 278 | 7 |
| 2009 | 282 | 270 | 9 |
| 2008 | 420 | 410 | 5 |
| 2007 | 424 | 409 | 8 |
| 2006 | 462 | 447 | 4 |
| 2005 | 220 | 210 | 4 |
| 2004 | 266 | 261 | 1 |
| 2003 | 315 | 304 | 6 |
| 2002 | 269 | 264 | 1 |
| 2001 | 365 | 351 | 0 |
| 2000 | 296 | 286 | 3 |
| 1999 | 277 | 272 | 0 |
| 1998 | 196 | 190 | 2 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
5,977 Grand Vitara cars are on Dutch roads; 10% arrived later as imports, and 77 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 29 | €49,223 |
| 2013 | 37 | €47,190 |
| 2012 | 42 | €38,129 |
| 2011 | 102 | €32,953 |
| 2010 | 273 | €28,252 |
| 2009 | 488 | €23,344 |
| 2008 | 741 | €22,606 |
| 2007 | 945 | €22,118 |
| 2006 | 898 | €22,133 |
| 2005 | 458 | €20,683 |
| 2004 | 464 | — |
| 2003 | 478 | — |
| 2002 | 349 | — |
| 2001 | 270 | — |
| 2000 | 237 | — |
| 1999 | 138 | — |
| 1998 | 28 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
1,343 Grand Vitara cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 84% petrol, 16% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 9 | 153,000 km |
| 2013 | 18 | 172,000 km |
| 2012 | 33 | 214,000 km |
| 2011 | 93 | 207,000 km |
| 2010 | 92 | 226,000 km |
| 2009 | 113 | 232,000 km |
| 2008 | 162 | 249,000 km |
| 2007 | 244 | 245,000 km |
| 2006 | 239 | 261,000 km |
| 2005 | 87 | 264,000 km |
| 2004 | 14 | 261,000 km |
| 2003 | 37 | 294,000 km |
| 2002 | 51 | 264,000 km |
| 2001 | 21 | 259,000 km |
| 2000 | 50 | 263,000 km |
| 1999 | 47 | 271,000 km |
| 1998 | 33 | 293,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 263 Grand Vitara cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 6 of those collisions were fatal and 64 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 46 | 1 | 15 |
| 2024 | 54 | 1 | 13 |
| 2023 | 53 | 2 | 15 |
| 2022 | 50 | 1 | 10 |
| 2021 | 60 | 1 | 11 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
17,029 Grand Vitara cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | — |
| 2017 | 1 | — |
| 2016 | 2 | — |
| 2015 | 41 | 1 |
| 2014 | 492 | 18 |
| 2013 | 1,086 | 53 |
| 2012 | 1,036 | 70 |
| 2011 | 1,313 | 122 |
| 2010 | 1,512 | 213 |
| 2009 | 1,462 | 386 |
| 2008 | 1,582 | 631 |
| 2007 | 1,644 | 992 |
| 2006 | 1,291 | 1,111 |
| 2005 | 1,751 | 1,400 |
| 2004 | 1,548 | 1,689 |
| 2003 | 988 | 1,634 |
| 2002 | 682 | 1,455 |
| 2001 | 338 | 1,206 |
| 2000 | 133 | 596 |
| 1999 | 89 | 366 |
| 1998 | 37 | 154 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
24,133 Grand Vitara cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 63% passed first time, against 59% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 517 | 84% |
| 2013 | 1,142 | 80% |
| 2012 | 1,123 | 73% |
| 2011 | 1,499 | 72% |
| 2010 | 1,861 | 69% |
| 2009 | 1,993 | 67% |
| 2008 | 2,320 | 62% |
| 2007 | 2,764 | 58% |
| 2006 | 2,230 | 56% |
| 2005 | 2,534 | 56% |
| 2004 | 2,355 | 55% |
| 2003 | 1,633 | 58% |
| 2002 | 1,104 | 58% |
| 2001 | 622 | 63% |
| 2000 | 280 | 61% |
| 1999 | 156 | 62% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | Grand Vitara | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 16.3% | 19.2% |
| Suspension | 12.4% | 15.8% |
| Brakes | 10.3% | 11.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.1% | 7.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.3% | 5.9% |
| Visibility | 5.9% | 6.7% |
| Tyres | 3.9% | 7.0% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.9% | 2.2% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
54,217 new Suzuki Grand Vitara cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Spain (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 157 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 210 (NEDC) |
| 2019 | 3 | 187 (NEDC) |
| 2018 | 3 | 206 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 6 | 202 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 5 | — |
| 2015 | 528 | — |
| 2014 | 5,371 | — |
| 2013 | 7,611 | — |
| 2012 | 11,268 | — |
| 2011 | 14,445 | — |
| 2010 | 14,974 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Grand Vitara in 1 alert. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The vehicles affected may have been fitted with Takata non-azide driver inflator (NADI) gas generators in which inadequate sealing on the gas generator could allow the ingress of moisture and thus result in the degradation of the propellant. If the airbag depl…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
15 campaigns cover the Grand Vitara; the latest 12 are below.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles. The power steering pump belt tension adjuster pulley has an outer portion that is made of plastic. Repeated heat stress can cause the plastic material to deteriorate, causing pieces of the pulley to break off.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being able to be changed.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES; MODEL YEAR 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 17, 2010; MODEL YEAR 2010 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES; AND 2011 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 14, 2010. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP, HAS AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED INTERNAL SPRING THAT CAN BREAK DUE TO REPEATED STRESS. IF THE SPRING BREAKS, THE DRIVE BELT WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND CAN SLIP, CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. OR THE DRIVE BELT COULD COME OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO INCREASE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALSO CAUSE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATION TO RISE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING, OR CAN CAUSE THE CHARGING LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH CAN LEAD TO BATTERY DISCHARGE AND ENGINE STALL.
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 SX4, 2010 GRAND VITARA, AND 2009 THROUGH 2010 EQUATOR VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750, 760, AND 765 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR MODEL YEAR 2006 GRAND VITARA AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 XL-7 VEHICLES. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR (IF EQUIPPED) HAS AN OUTER PORTION THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC. REPEATED HEAT STRESS CAN CAUSE THE PLASTIC MATERIAL TO DETERIORATE AND PIECES OF THE PULLEY CAN BREAK OFF.
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION. ' THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER "PARK" LOCK FUNCTION MAY BE INOPERATIVE DUE TO A STICKING SHIFT LOCK ARM. THE SHIFT LEVER MAY BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF "PARK" WITH THE KEY REMOVED AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RETAINER REAR DRIVE SHAFT MAY CRACK AND THE GEARS MAY GET STUCK DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE BY THE RETAINER.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA recalls