1999 SUZUKI VITARA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
63
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA
The 1999 SUZUKI VITARA has received a total of 63 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Suspension (9 complaints), Suspensionfront (6 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA, potentially affecting up to 27,262 vehicles.
Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 99V273002 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 8,408 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH. IF THE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY BE INOPERATIVE. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE, A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH MAY ALSO PREVENT SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH...
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS FOLLOWING CLOSELY, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Recall 99V154000 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
| 1,273 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PORT INSTALLATION OF REAR STEREO SPEAKERS, THE VEHICLES WIRING HARNESS COULD HAVE BEEN PINCHED BETWEEN THE REAR STEREO SPEAKER AND SPEAKER RETAINING PLATE.
Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR DUE TO THE PINCHED WIRES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION/CONDITION OF THE REAR WIRING HARNESS AND REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS, IF NECESSARY.
View full details →Recall 99V155000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
| 1,273 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PORT INSTALLATION OF REAR STEREO SPEAKERS, THE FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS WERE REMOVED TO FACILITATE THE REAR SPEAKER INSTALLATION AND MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION AFTER INSTALLATION OF THE SPEAKERS.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETORQUE BOTH OF THE FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.
View full details →Recall 98V324002 — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
| 38 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE COUPLING THAT CONNECTS THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT TO THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS CRACKED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE STEERING SHAFTS TO SEPARATE.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT COUPLING.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA
63 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A TRUCK AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A TORN LIGAMENT TO HER ARM, SKIN TISSUE INJURIES, AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/08/10 * BF UPDATED 11/10/10
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN AN EMERGENCY STOP TO AVOID HITTING A DEER RUNNING ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR.ANCHOR FOR THE RIGHT "A" ARM IS RUSTED OUT IN THE FRAME FRONT CROSS MEMBER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DIVE TO THE LEFT AND INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO AVOID HITTING A DEER CROSSING THE ROAD. FRAME CROSS MEMBER AND RELATED PARTS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS NOW UNSTABLE GOING DOWN THE ROAD.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REPAIRING THE BRAKES, HE DISCOVERED CORROSION ON THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER (FRAME). THE CONTACT IS A MECHANIC AND STATED THAT IF THE FRAME COMES APART, IT CAN CAUSE THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO FAIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 128,000.
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON MY 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. THE CHEVROLET TRACKER, WHICH IS THE SAME CAR HAS HAD A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN! *TR
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON MY 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. THE CHEVROLET TRACKER, WHICH IS THE SAME CAR HAS HAD A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN! *TR
Safety Rating for the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
0503143 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE, B1026 FLOW TABLE. SERVICE MANUAL UDPATE CORRECTION. *TT
060103099 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A CRANK BUT NO-START CONDITION IN COLD WEATER CONDITIONS. *TT
0404145 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 SUZUKI VITARA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUZUKI VITARA
- 1999 SUZUKI VITARA (current)
- 2000 SUZUKI VITARA — 42 complaints
- 2001 SUZUKI VITARA — 40 complaints
- 2002 SUZUKI VITARA — 1 complaint
- 2003 SUZUKI VITARA — 1 complaint
- 2004 SUZUKI VITARA — 1 complaint
Other SUZUKI Models
- SUZUKI FORENZA — 1,360 total complaints
- SUZUKI GRAND VITARA — 878 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