2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara: common problems

Owners of the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara filed 85 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and vehicle speed control. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 85
involving a crash: 8

What fails most often

1 Fuel system 31% of all complaints
2 Vehicle speed control 12% of all complaints
3 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
5 Suspension 8% of all complaints
6 Air bags 7% of all complaints
7 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
8 Powertrain 6% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Fuel system: 26 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Vehicle speed control: 10 complaints (12% of all).
Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (11% of all).
Service brakes: 8 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Suspension: 7 complaints (8% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: RWD, AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 85 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

vibration7 · 8%
smoke, burning smell, fire6 · 7%
A/C or heater3 · 4%
knocking, grinding or other noise3 · 4%
airbag warning light2 · 2%
airbags did not deploy2 · 2%
fuel system, fuel smell2 · 2%
won't start2 · 2%
overheating, coolant loss2 · 2%
rust, corrosion2 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Fuel system	26	1
Vehicle speed control	10	0
Engine and cooling	9	0
Service brakes	8	1
Suspension	7	0
Air bags	6	4
Electrical system	5	0
Powertrain	5	0
Steering	5	2
Structure	4	0
Tires	4	0
Wheels	4	0
Child seat	2	0
Equipment	2	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained severe head injuries.
Air bags · crash · 2004-02-25 · NHTSA complaint #10059759
The driver was making a left turn at a speed of 15 mph, when all of a sudden the consumer lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The driver stated the tie rod was defective. Provide further details.
Steering · crash · 2004-01-27 · NHTSA complaint #10055938
Vehicle was involved in a head on collision at 20 mph and the air bags did not deploy. The consumer considered the car to be a very unsafe vehicle and has made a request for a safer car.
Air bags · crash · 2003-12-29 · NHTSA complaint #10051806
While driving 35 mph the consumer pressed the brake pedal but the brakes did not respond. As a result the consumer hit another vehicle which caused damage to both vehicles.
Service brakes · crash · 2003-06-20 · NHTSA complaint #10024571
Then, vehicle started rolling down highway four times, and consumer's husband was ejected from vehicle because seat belt didn't hold. Also, airbags didn't deploy. Dealership will be notified.
Air bags · crash · 2001-11-19 · NHTSA complaint #899277
While driving in bad weather, snow/rain at 20 mph the vehicle started to fishtail. Consumer lost control and vehicle turned on its side. After vehicle was upright again, consumer wanted to drive vehicle to dealer. Steering was pulling toleft/ steering came loose from wheels. Vehicle towed to dealer.
Steering · crash · 2001-04-17 · NHTSA complaint #886111
Takata recall when I try to put in drive I have to put it in drive two for it to go on drive when I go to put it in park it will not I have to mess with it for it to go on park it either stays on drive or reverse
Powertrain · 2018-11-20 · NHTSA complaint #11152925
The s frame of my 2000 suzuki grand vitara jls started vibrating and I took it to mike albert leasing and when they put it up on the lift the s frame on the drivers side was completely rusted out and the wheel was detached from the frame.
Structure · 2010-08-25 · NHTSA complaint #10351649

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20002
200135
200213
200310
200415
20054
20062
20082
20101
20181

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 3,932 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Grand Vitara has 43 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 85, above average.

What to check before buying

Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, vehicle speed control, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 85. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (8%), smoke, burning smell, fire (7%), A/C or heater (4%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2000 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.