NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Suzuki Vitara Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Suzuki Vitara has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 50 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 1999 Suzuki Vitara. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1999 Suzuki Vitara owner complaints

Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Suzuki Vitara, describing incidents dated April 1, 1999 to June 20, 2010.

Most-cited components

Suspension 15 complaints
Power Train 10 complaints
Engine 8 complaints
Structure 4 complaints
Unknown or Other 4 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 4 complaints

Of the 50 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 50 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10348236 · Filed August 9, 2010
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…
ODI #10323384 · Filed April 1, 2010
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…
ODI #10238761 · Filed August 18, 2008
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…

Read all 50 complaints

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

SUZUKI/FMVSS 108/BRAKE LAMP SWITCH

NHTSA #99V273002 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 15, 1999 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 8,408 vehicles

Owners notified November 12, 1999 · Vehicles built September 1, 1998 – June 30, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS FOLLOWING CLOSELY, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUZUKI/FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS

NHTSA #99V155000 · Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage · NHTSA notice

Reported June 28, 1999 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,273 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign SE · Owners notified July 6, 1999 · Vehicles built through June 7, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RETORQUE BOTH OF THE FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 6, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUZUKI/REAR STEREO SPEAKER WIRE

NHTSA #99V154000 · Equipment — Electrical — Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. · NHTSA notice

Reported June 28, 1999 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,273 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign SE · Owners notified July 6, 1999 · Vehicles built through June 7, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR DUE TO THE PINCHED WIRES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION/CONDITION OF THE REAR WIRING HARNESS AND REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS, IF NECESSARY.

Notes

SUZUKI/STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLER

NHTSA #98V324002 · Steering — Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · NHTSA notice

Reported February 9, 1999 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 38 vehicles

Owners notified December 21, 1998 · Vehicles built November 1, 1998 – December 15, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT COUPLING.

Notes

ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT THE PORT OF ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES.NO OWNER NOTIFICATION IS NECESSARY.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Suzuki Vitara. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

50 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Suzuki Vitara.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10348236

Crash 1 injury

Incident: June 20, 2010 · Filed: August 9, 2010

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

Structure

ODI #10323384

Incident: March 29, 2010 · Filed: April 1, 2010

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.

Structure

ODI #10238761

Incident: August 18, 2008 · Filed: August 18, 2008

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.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #10238726

Incident: August 16, 2008 · Filed: August 18, 2008

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

Steering

ODI #10233633

Incident: June 28, 2008 · Filed: July 9, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUZUKI VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS EXTREME DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE IT REMAINS IN A FIXATED POSITION. HE INSPECTED THE STEERING FLUID AND CONCLUDED THAT THE LEVELS WERE NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V324002 (STEERING:WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR), THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10103801

Incident: December 8, 2004 · Filed: December 15, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 35 MP ENGINE LOCKED UP. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT IT WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK....*AK

Air Bags

ODI #10101255

Crash 1 injury

Incident: November 17, 2004 · Filed: November 18, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH A COLLISION OCCURRED, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED BAD INJURIES. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10098924

Incident: October 1, 2002 · Filed: November 17, 2004

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 04V427000. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE SUZUKI CORPORATION, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE WAS A PART OF THE RECALL. THEN, SUZUKI TURNED AROUND, AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *AK THE CONSUMER FELT THAT BEING EXCLUDE FROM THE RECALL WAS UNFAIR AND THAT THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR THE 6 CYLINDER AND NOT THE 4 CYLINDER. *SC *JB

Suspension

ODI #10065816

Incident: March 6, 2004 · Filed: April 9, 2004

1999 VITARA HAS LOUD VIBRATION BETWEEN 55 TO 65 MPH. HAVE TO DRIVE BELOW OR ABOVE MPH RANGE TO STOP VIBRATION. SAFETY ISSUE. NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON FILE. FEEL INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED.*AK

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10053379

Filed: January 5, 2004

BRAKE LIGHTS KEPT BLOWING OUT ON THEIR OWN. THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED SIX TIMES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

Other Suzuki Vitara model years

Check your 1999 Suzuki Vitara VIN

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

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