NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 29 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Suzuki dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara owner complaints

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara, describing incidents dated August 27, 2003 to November 3, 2018.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 12 complaints
Electrical System 8 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 2 complaints

Of the 29 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire; across all 29 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11151386 · Filed November 14, 2018
SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL
ODI #10410869 · Filed July 7, 2011
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…
ODI #10358473 · Filed September 30, 2010
MY GAS COVER FELL OFF MY CAR DO TO THE LATCH HOLDING IT ON. *TR

Read all 29 complaints

FRONT BRAKE ROTOR

NHTSA #05V452000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Rotor · NHTSA notice

Reported October 5, 2005 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 801 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 99-HQ · Owners notified November 10, 2005 · Vehicles built February 1, 1998 – August 31, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE FRONT BRAKES MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE MAY PULL TO ONE SIDE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. 99-HQ.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

SUZUKI/FREEZING INSIDE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR

NHTSA #04V427000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported August 30, 2004 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 172,093 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 99-ER · Owners notified September 29, 2004 · Vehicles built September 1, 2002 – May 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. 99-ER.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUZUKI/ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP

NHTSA #03V512000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported December 5, 2003 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 196,876 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign EM · Owners notified January 5, 2004 · Vehicles built July 1, 1998 – June 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 BECOME FRAYED.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. EM.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUZUKI/FMVSS 212/WINDSHIELD MOUNTING

NHTSA #03V223000 · Visibility — Windshield · NHTSA notice

Reported June 16, 2003 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 5,319 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign EC · Owners notified July 8, 2003 · Vehicles built September 1, 2002 – February 28, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT APPLIED DURING THE SECOND-STAGE PAINTING PROCESS AND THE PAINT APPLIED DURING FINAL-STAGE PAINTING.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. EC.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Safety Technology

29 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Electrical System; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11151386

Incident: November 3, 2018 · Filed: November 14, 2018

SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL

Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10410869

Incident: July 5, 2011 · Filed: July 7, 2011

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10358473

Incident: November 1, 2009 · Filed: September 30, 2010

MY GAS COVER FELL OFF MY CAR DO TO THE LATCH HOLDING IT ON. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10235550

Incident: July 23, 2008 · Filed: July 23, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS GROUNDING OUT AGAINST THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE CURRENT RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY OF THE FAILURES NOTED IN THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10235107

Incident: June 25, 2008 · Filed: July 21, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING FUEL LOSS IN THE IGNITION SOURCE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL WAS NOT ENTERING THE IGNITION, CAUSING A NO-START CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS SAME FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED IF THE FAILURE IS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HER HOME AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10157877

Incident: May 18, 2006 · Filed: May 19, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER ANY CONDITIONS OR SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. AFTERWARDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IT US UNABLE TO BE PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION UNTIL THE FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS THE PROBLEM HOWEVER IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT REPAIRS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Air Bags

ODI #10127888

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: June 19, 2005 · Filed: July 8, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 6-19-05. SOMEONE HIT HER. THE CAR TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND LANDED ON ITS TOP. THE PERSON WHO HIT HER WAS GOING APPROX. 70 MPH WHEN SHE CAME ACROSS THE LANE OF TRAFFIC AND HIT HER. SHE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE FEELS THAT BECAUSE THE CAR FLIPPED OVER, THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. SHE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *JB

Seat Belts

ODI #10114904

Incident: February 10, 2005 · Filed: March 10, 2005

BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE USAGE, THE REAR RIGHT SEAT BELT SHREDDED IN HALF. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10103163

Incident: December 1, 2004 · Filed: December 14, 2004

CONTINUALLY UPON STARTING VEHICLE, GO INSIDE AND CAME BACK OUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONSUMER HAD TO FILE FOR BANKRUPCY AND VOLUNTARY REPO BECAUSE HE COULD NOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FROM STATE TO STATE TO BE SERVICED. CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V427000 *TC

Fuel System, Gasoline; Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10101062

Incident: November 1, 2004 · Filed: November 5, 2004

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7. EVERYTIME THE CONSUMER CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THEY WERE WAITING ON THE PARTS. *TC *JB

Other Suzuki Grand Vitara model years

Check your 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Suzuki Grand Vitara at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Suzuki VIN