Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Suzuki Vitara, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 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 2004 Suzuki Vitara failed the safety check 4.63% of the time — 110% more often than the average 2004 passenger car (2.21%). Median odometer at inspection: 127,892 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
0 cars built in 2004 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 2 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, 115 of these cars first registered in 2004 took their annual MOT test. 55% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2004 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Body, chassis, structure | 18.3% | 9.1% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.9% | 21.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.2% | 7.5% |
| Suspension | 12.2% | 17.2% |
| Visibility | 9.6% | 7.7% |
| Brakes | 8.7% | 13.8% |
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
3 2004 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 12.9–13.0 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 297–299 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitara · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.0 | 11.5 | 12.9 |
| Vitara · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 11.5 | 13.0 |
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 2004 Suzuki Vitara.
| 2004313 31 Aug 2004 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, under ambient temperatures below -25 degrees Celsius, moisture can freeze in the fuel pressure regulator. As a result, fuel system pressur… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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 2004 Suzuki Vitara: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 10018528 | ECM REPROGRAMMING FOR POOR COLD START. *TT |
| 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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)