AI DamageSuzuki Vitara: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Suzuki Vitara across 6 model years: 115 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 23% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 23% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- Suspension: 27 complaints (23% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 26 complaints (23% of all).
- Powertrain: 18 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 9 complaints (8% of all).
- Structure: 9 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.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1999–2001
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1999–2003named in 1 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2004
- automatic, 4-speed 1999–2004
- manual, 5-speed 1999–2004
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 115 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| Equipment | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2001 suzuki vitara. While in reverse, the vehicle accelerated from zero to approximately 20 mph, which caused the vehicle to crash into the carport. There was snow on the roads at the time of failure. The dealer did not inspect the vehicle.
Airbag failed to deploy despite frontal impact at roughly 550 mph.
Dt: the contact stated the air bag did not deploy when the contact's vehicle went into a median and hit a tree. The front middle of the vehicle hit the tree. The vehicle was turning when this happened. Therefore, she was unaware of the speed. She moved the vehicle to a nearby parking lot.
Park position did not hold and vehicle rolled down hill causing significant damage to vehicle and property. 3. Automobile being repaired, transmission ignition key interface being investigated.
The police stated that the air bags did not deploy. Consumer was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Consumer did have previous back problems and didn't know if it would cause more problems.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other models of this make
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.