2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
37
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
4
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
The 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA has received a total of 37 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Controlcables (9 complaints), Electrical System (5 complaints), and Electrical Systemignition (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, potentially affecting up to 375,089 vehicles.
Recall 05V452000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
| 801 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 04V427000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 172,093 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE FUEL DELIVER HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMP WITH AN IMPROVED CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
View full details →Recall 03V512000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
| 196,876 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
View full details →Recall 03V223000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
| 5,319 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER (111 MY 2002 ESTEEM, 777 MY 2002 AERIO, 2,368 MY 2003 AERIO) AND SPORT UTILITY (324 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA, 274 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA, 684 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA XL-7, AND 781 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7) VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELD MAY...
Consequence: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
37 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Controlcables | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinedelivery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsrearother | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tiressidewall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestreadbelt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL
SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL
THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO AN EXISTING RECALL ON MY 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING TWO DAYS AGO, THE THROTTLE CABLE BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I WAS ULTIMATELY ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. AFTERWARD, I DISCOVERED AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM THE SUZUKI DEALER IN 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JANUARY 9, 2004, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2003. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR SUZUKI TO HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. SUZUKI'S NEGLIGENCE PUT ME IN GREAT DANGER AND RESULTED IN TOWING AND OTHER COSTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL WAS PROPERLY HANDLED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI MOTORS OF AMERICA TO DESCRIBE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE ONLY OFFER IT TO FIX THE RECALL ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR ERROR IN SELLING THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL, NOR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADDITIONAL COSTS I'VE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE. *TR
THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO AN EXISTING RECALL ON MY 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING TWO DAYS AGO, THE THROTTLE CABLE BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I WAS ULTIMATELY ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. AFTERWARD, I DISCOVERED AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM THE SUZUKI DEALER IN 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JANUARY 9, 2004, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2003. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR SUZUKI TO HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. SUZUKI'S NEGLIGENCE PUT ME IN GREAT DANGER AND RESULTED IN TOWING AND OTHER COSTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL WAS PROPERLY HANDLED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI MOTORS OF AMERICA TO DESCRIBE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE ONLY OFFER IT TO FIX THE RECALL ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR ERROR IN SELLING THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL, NOR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADDITIONAL COSTS I'VE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE. *TR
MY GAS COVER FELL OFF MY CAR DO TO THE LATCH HOLDING IT ON. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
0806203 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REPLACING POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE BECAUSE 100 AMP FUSE IS OPEN. THE 100 AMP MAIN FUSE IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TT
06011703R — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL WEEPAGE/SEEPAGE FROM LEFT FRONT OF ENGINE. *TT
0603143 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
SEAT HEATER INSPECTION TABLE - SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE. *TT
1511075 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ECM REPROGRAMMING FOR POOR COLD START. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
- 1999 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 142 complaints
- 2000 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 106 complaints
- 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 56 complaints
- 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 63 complaints
- 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA (current)
- 2004 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 11 complaints
- 2005 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 2 complaints
- 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 230 complaints
- 2007 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 86 complaints
- 2008 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 54 complaints
Other SUZUKI Models
- SUZUKI FORENZA — 1,360 total complaints
- SUZUKI SX4 — 427 total complaints
- SUZUKI VERONA — 339 total complaints
- SUZUKI XL7 — 332 total complaints
- SUZUKI SIDEKICK — 298 total complaints
- SUZUKI RENO — 261 total complaints
- SUZUKI XL-7 — 219 total complaints
- SUZUKI ESTEEM — 191 total complaints