Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2000 Suzuki Vitara, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Suspension7
- Service brakes, hydraulic6
- Power train4
- Air bags4
- Structure2
- Equipment2
- Visibility2
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Tires1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2000 Suzuki Vitara failed the safety check 1.92% of the time — 3% more often than the average 2000 passenger car (1.86%). Median odometer at inspection: 126,934 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
26 first registered in 2000 are on Dutch roads.
Most common APK defects
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld6
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen5
- Roestschade van 1,5 t/m 2,0E of meer dan 15% dikteafname5
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt4
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm4
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk3
- Remverschil op 1 as te groot3
- Remleiding door corrosie aangetast3
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
62 cars built in 2000 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 402 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 137 of these cars first registered in 2000 took their annual MOT test. 55% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2000 the figure was 61%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.4% | 17.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 18.2% | 9.6% |
| Brakes | 13.9% | 12.8% |
| Suspension | 12.4% | 14.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.9% | 7.7% |
| Visibility | 10.9% | 7.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
1 2000 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 9.9–11.1 L/100 km (about 21–24 mpg US), CO₂ 228–255 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitara Convertible 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 10.5 | 9.0 | 9.9 |
| Vitara 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.7 | 9.9 | 10.9 |
| Vitara 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.8 | 10.1 | 11.0 |
| Vitara Convertible 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.7 | 10.1 | 11.0 |
| Vitara Convertible 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.8 | 10.2 | 11.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2000 Suzuki Vitara.
| 2002208 14 Nov 2002 | Other CMVSS 115 requires that certain information be uniquely identified in the vehicle identification number (VIN). One such item is the engine type. This particul… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2000 Suzuki Vitara.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Suzuki told its dealers about the 2000 Suzuki Vitara: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 618430 | A CONDITION MAY EXIST ON CERTAIN MODELS WHERE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING MAY LEAK FLUID FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OIL SEAL. *TT |
| 610525 | THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE REVISED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES UNDER WARRANTY. *TT |
| 10216558 | Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway. |
| 10152052 | This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm. |
| 10021699 | FRONT DIFFERENTIAL OIL SEAL REPLACEMENT. *KB |
| 10017455 | MODIFICATION OF MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE AND THE BEARING SELECTION PROCEDURE. *TT |
| 10015910 | MODIFICATION OF MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE AND THE BEARING SELECTION PROCEDURE. 1999-2005 SUZUKI VITARA SQ420/SQ625L, GRAND VITARA SQ625W, AND XL-7 JA627 *SC |
| 10006515 | SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE FOR RESEALING FRONT TIMING CHAIN COVER. *MR |
| 10001700 | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE, B1026 FLOW TABLE. SERVICE MANUAL UDPATE CORRECTION. *TT |
| 10001698 | OIL LEVEL READS AT LOW MARK ON OIL LEVEL DIP STICK. 1999 - 2003 VITARA/GRAND VITARA/XL-7. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)