Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 4 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

4 total · 4 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 19V187000 · Mar 2019

In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy
Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 17V085000 · Feb 2017

If the transmission cannot be shifted, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VZ.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 13V405000 · Sep 2013

Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.

Remedy
Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V055000 · Jan 2011

IF THE DRIVE BELT COMES OFF, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO USE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, OR THE ENGINE STALLS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR

Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

11 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Brakes

Minor
1

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 1
A recent report: THE POWER BRAKES DON'T WORK WHEN IT IS COLD LIKE 40 DEGREES. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10486769 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: I HAVE ALMOST 27,400 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND THE TIRES ARE DRY ROTTED WHICH THEY SHOULDNT BE LIKE THAT I DO NOT DRIVE FAR AT ALL I AM A VERY UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER THE TIRE SIZES ARE P225 70 R16. *JS

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10592587 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

airbags not deploying 1software faults 1
A recent report: LLEVE MI AUTO A TRIANGLE SUZUKI EN LA AVE. 65 INF. KM 5.4 EN CAROLINA CON TELFONO 787-776-3023 YA QUE SOY EL CLIENTE # 29676 DEBIDO A QUE TENIA LAS LUZ DEL AIR BAG ENCENDIDA. LUEGO DE ELLOS REVISAR…
Read full complaint

LLEVE MI AUTO A TRIANGLE SUZUKI EN LA AVE. 65 INF. KM 5.4 EN CAROLINA CON TELFONO 787-776-3023 YA QUE SOY EL CLIENTE # 29676 DEBIDO A QUE TENIA LAS LUZ DEL AIR BAG ENCENDIDA. LUEGO DE ELLOS REVISAR DICHO SUZUKI QUIEN TENIA EL TAG 5406 ENCONTRARON EL COGIN DEFECTUOSO CON CDIGO B1312. DONDE ELLOS FACTURAN LA CANTIDAD DE $267.00 POR LA REPARACIN DEL MISMO. TENGO ENTENDIDO QUE LA VITARA TIENE UN RECALL DEBIDO A AIR BAGS. PODRAN ORIENTARME AL RESPECTO.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11073749 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
6

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 1
A recent report: I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND IT DOES HAVE RECALLS AND I HAD I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THE RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED OR STILL NEED DONE PLEASE THANK YOU

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11288804 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 11 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2019, roughly 1 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 11 complaints on file, fewer than the 2010 (20) and fewer than the 2012 (13). Of the 3 model years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara we cover, the 2010 has the most (20). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.