The defect
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.
The risk
IF THE DRIVE BELT COMES OFF, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO USE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, OR THE ENGINE STALLS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Suzuki SX4 | 2010, 2011 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 2009 | 14 | 4 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 2010 | 20 | 5 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 2011 | 11 | 4 |
| Suzuki SX4 | 2010 | 21 | 5 |
| Suzuki SX4 | 2011 | 13 | 3 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2011
58 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the electrical system; AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. filed 75 campaigns in all.
| 11V603000 28 Dec 2011 | PIAGGIO USA, INC. |
| 11V598000 27 Dec 2011 | Karma Automotive LLC |
| 11V579000 15 Dec 2011 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V577000 8 Dec 2011 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
| 11V548000 10 Nov 2011 | MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC |
| 11V523000 28 Oct 2011 | DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V503000 18 Oct 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V494000 11 Oct 2011 | JAYCO, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011