2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara: common problems

Owners of the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara filed 38 complaints with NHTSA, most often about vehicle speed control and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 38
involving a crash: 8

What fails most often

1 Vehicle speed control 24% of all complaints
2 Engine and cooling 18% of all complaints
3 Air bags 16% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
5 Suspension 11% of all complaints
6 Visibility 11% of all complaints
7 Equipment 8% of all complaints
8 Powertrain 8% of all complaints

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

Vehicle speed control: 9 complaints (24% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Air bags: 6 complaints (16% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Service brakes: 5 complaints (13% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Suspension: 4 complaints (11% 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
2.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: RWD, AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 38 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

airbags did not deploy4 · 11%
vibration3 · 8%
windows, sunroof3 · 8%
oil leak or consumption2 · 5%
brake failure1 · 3%
A/C or heater1 · 3%
headlights and tail lights1 · 3%
won't start1 · 3%
knocking, grinding or other noise1 · 3%
seat belts1 · 3%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Vehicle speed control	9	3
Engine and cooling	7	1
Air bags	6	6
Service brakes	5	2
Suspension	4	0
Visibility	4	0
Equipment	3	1
Powertrain	3	1
Tires	3	0
Fuel system	2	0
Steering	2	1
Electrical system	1	1
Engine	1	1
Exterior lighting	1	0

What owners report

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

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 suzuki grand vitara. While driving 3 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a building. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2016-12-28 · NHTSA complaint #10938340
The air bags failed to deploy until after impact. The contact sustained injuries to the chest and sternum while the passenger sustained a facial injury from striking the windshield. The contact and the passenger were both transported to a hospital. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed.
Air bags · crash · 2013-10-08 · NHTSA complaint #10547265
The air bags failed to deploy until moments after impact. The passenger was propelled into the windshield and sustained injuries to the knee, fingers and face. The contact sustained injuries to the sternum. A police report was filed. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired to determine the air bag failure.
Air bags · crash · 2013-10-07 · NHTSA complaint #10547077
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds and pulling out of the driveway, the steering wheel became very hard to turn and the vehicle almost turned over when the brake was applied.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2013-02-08 · NHTSA complaint #10496904
Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. The second incident occurred when consumer was backing out of the driveway and vehicle accelerated backwards .in both incidents consumer stepped on the brake pedal in order to stop. However, vehicle continued to speed.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2004-11-10 · NHTSA complaint #10099810
Nothing but problems and a nightmare to own.. Dealer not sypathetic. No safety defect mentioned.
Engine and cooling · crash · 2002-02-12 · NHTSA complaint #758001
Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and airbags didn't deploy during a collision. Dealership was aware of problem.
Air bags · crash · 2001-08-23 · NHTSA complaint #895099
It's a 2001 grand vitara standard and it cranks but won't start. It's happend before. My gas peddle goes all the way on the floor. Doesn't feel right. Feels as if a line was broken. The car use to shift to the side when hitting the brakes. Can you help? What is it? I haven't been sble to use my car for a week.
Service brakes · 2015-10-03 · NHTSA complaint #10779456

When owners complained

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

20017
20026
20037
20049
20053
20061
20133
20151
20161

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 6,094 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Grand Vitara has 43 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 38, about average.

What to check before buying

Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
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 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: vehicle speed control, engine and cooling, air bags. Total complaints: 38. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (11%), vibration (8%), windows, sunroof (8%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 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 2001 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 2001 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 2026-11-05.