EN

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 4-DR

7
Recalls
186
Complaints

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Complaints
Recalls

186 Complaints

for 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7
12/31/2020
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/01/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947X64******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE SPEEDOMETER READING, FUEL GAUGE READING, AND ABS READING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GERMAIN TOYOTA OF NAPLES (13315 TAMIAMI TRL N, NAPLES, FL 34110, (888) 722-4941) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,675. *JS

11/25/2020
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 11/21/2020
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941264******
Summary

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHERE I T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA BECAME IMMOBILIZED BECAUSE THE IMPACT WAS SO HARD THAT THE DRIVELINE BROKE. BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL!

04/27/2020
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 11/10/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947864******
Summary

THE HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS BURN OUT CONSTANTLY. MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS EVERY 3-4 MONTHS FOR THE 3 1/2 YEARS WE HAVE THIS VEHICLE. VERY CAREFUL WITH BULB HANDLING AND INSTALLATION. BULB CONNECTIONS APPEAR TO BE BURNED AND MELTED.

04/10/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 04/01/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947564******
Summary

MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA HAS BLOWN AT LEAST 4 HEAD LIGHTS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. SUZUKI SAYS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSISTOR TO THE LIGHTS,IN THAT IT GIVES TOO MUCH POWER TO THE LIGHTS, THUS CAUSING IT TO BLOW PREMATURELY. THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL, SUZUKI NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ASAP!!

10/20/2017
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 07/04/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944364******
Summary

AIR BAG WONT GO OUT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN SEAT OCCUPIED PASSENGER SEAT BELT WONT GOOUT WHEN ENGAGE BEFORE IN MOTION WAS OFFAND ON NOW STAYS ON

10/07/2017
Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 10/03/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947364******
Summary

RECORD ACCIDENT

09/25/2017
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 07/21/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2S3DA917286******
Summary

I HAD THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MILES. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 210,000 MILES AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED SO OFTEN AND I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES AND FROM OTHER SOURCES.

07/22/2017
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 10/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947164******
Summary

A RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE OCS SENSOR MAT INSTALLED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH MAY FAIL DUE TO REPEATED FLEXING OF THE MAT FROM USE OF THE SEAT. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO LOCAL SERVICE CENTER TO MY AREA TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE NEAREST CONTRACTED SERVICE CENTER IS 60 MILES AWAY AND IN LOS ANGELES TRAFFIC, FREEWAY TIME ALONE IS A 3+ HOUR ROUND TRIP - NOT INCLUDING WAIT TIME FOR REPAIR. DO I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE AIRBAG EXPLODES AND DECAPITATES A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, PRIOR TO THE PART BEING TRANSFERRED TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER?

06/08/2017
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 03/02/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR FOR THE AIR BAGS WAS PERFORMED TWO YEARS AGO. THE REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER (BIG RED SPORTS/IMPORTS, 418 N INTERSTATE DR, NORMAN, OK 73072, (405) 364-4400) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THE MANUFACTURER COULD PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

04/13/2016
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 09/09/1920
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

DRIVER SIDE INTAKE MANIFOLD BUTTERFLY VALVE CAME LOOSE AND THE SCREWS WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. RECENTLY THE BUTTERFLY ITSELF GOT STUCK AND LEANED OUT AND RUINED MY O2 SENSOR AND IDLE AIR CONTROLLER

03/01/2016
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 08/05/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943864******
Summary

WEARS TIRES OUT WITHIN INSTALLING WITHIN 8 MONTHS. VIBRATES VERY BAD AN HAS DONE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2006.

12/19/2015
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 05/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944664******
Summary

STARTING AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN BLOWING LOW BEAM/DRIVING LIGHT BULBS EVERY 3 TO 5 MONTHS. SOMETIMES THE DRIVER-SIDE, SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE, SOMETIMES BOTH. THE BLOWN BULBS SEEM TO BLOW OUT DURING THE DAYTIME, WHEN THEY ARE ACTING AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS, BUT AREN'T NOTICED UNTIL NIGHT. THE DATE BELOW IS THE APPROXIMATE DATE OF THE FIRST OCCURRENCE.

11/19/2015
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 03/05/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

VEHICLE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPEAR TO HAVE SHADOW - VISIBILITY ONLY 5 -10 FEET IN FRONT OF CAR. HAVE REPLACE HEADLAMP BUCKETS AND PROBLEM REMAINS. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT

11/04/2015
Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 09/16/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943264******
Summary

THE VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED TO A SUZUKI DEALER IN PUERTO RICO AND THEN SHIPPED BACK TO THE USA. ONCE SHIPPED TO PUERTO RICO, SUZUKI PROVIDES A SPECIFIC VIN AS VEHICLES EXPORTED OUT OF THE USA. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED BACK TO USA IN 2009 AND EVER SINCE I HAVE RECEIVED THREE SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATIONS TO HAVE DONE BY LOCAL SUZUKI DEALER. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VIN DOES NOT APPEAR IN THEIR SYSTEM AT ALL. I BEEN TOLD THEY WILL NOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE BEING THAT IT WAS SHIP FROM PUERTO RICO AND THE ONLY PLACE THEY WOULD FIX THE RECALL WOULD BE THERE. I HAVE CONTACTED CORPORATE SUZUKI MULTIPLE TIMES AND BEEN TOLD THEY CAN'T DO MUCH TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE DEALER AGAIN WHICH HAS REFUSED TO DO THE SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN MANY HOURS EXPLAINING MY SITUATION TO DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS FROM DEALER AND SUZUKI AND NEVER COME TO A SOLUTION AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS. I'M TOLD THAT VEHICLES SHIPPED TO PUERTO RICO (US TERRITORY) AND BACK TO US ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THESE SAFETY RECALLS DESPITE I AM RECEIVING THE NOTIFICATION TO MY OHIO ADDRESS. ITS BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS WE BEEN TRYING TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE AND ALWAYS GET THE RUN AROUND. ONE OF THE RECALL IS RELATED TO AIR BAGS AND DIFFERENTIAL TRAIN LOCKING DUE TO FAULTY SEAL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY DAUGHTER FOR SCHOOL AND WE'VE NOW HAVE RESTRICTED HER FROM DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONCERNED FOR THESE ISSUES. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY SUPPORT OR ASSISTANCE YOU MAY PROVIDE TO SOLVING THIS ISSUE.

10/20/2015
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/05/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944264******
Summary

RECALL

10/19/2015
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 09/09/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I WENT OUT TO START MY VEHICLE ONE MORNING. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION ON, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAME ON, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOTIFICATION LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. AFTER CALLING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO WORKS ON SUZUKIS HERE, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS M/M/Y OF VEHICLE, AND THAT THE REPAIR IS BETWEEN $1.5K-$2K. MY VEHICLE IS NOT OLD, ABUSED, NOR HAS IT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WITH THE MILES AT APPROX 61,000... WHY IS THERE A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING MY AIRBAG SYSTEM? AFTER DIGGING AROUND ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS M/M/Y VEHICLE DOES, IN FACT, HAVE A LARGE COMPLAINT AGAINST IT REGARDING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. MOST SPECIFICALLY THE EXACT ISSUE I AM HAVING. IN LIGHT OF THE MASSIVE AIRBAG RECALL ISSUE, ONE WOULD ASSUME SAFETY IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

08/18/2015
Components: STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 08/17/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V564******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN HOME AND I HEARD A THUDDING IN THE ENGINE LIKE SOMETHING WAS BREAKING. THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT HOT INSTANTLY AND I TRIED TO CHANGE LANES TO PULL TO A STOP TO LOOK AT IT. WHEN I STOPPED AND TRIED TO TURN THE CORNER, I FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I COULDN'T TURN PROPERLY AND WAS TURNING WIDE INTO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE OF THIS. MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WENT INTO MOTION AND NOW I HAVE TO CLICK THE BUTTON TO BE ABLE TO REVERSE OR STEER PROPERLY (SO THAT I'M NOT ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SETTING) BUT THE LIGHT FOR THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE BLINKS. MY BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON.

07/25/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/25/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947864******
Summary

MY CAR CAN'T SEEM TO JUST BLOW 1 HEADLIGHT , BOTH GO OUT AT SAME TIME TAKING WITH IT A SMALL LIGHT AS WELL. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS AND THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WHERE THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED.

07/25/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/09/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947864******
Summary

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE DATING BACK TO 07. IN 2010 RECALL FOR STEERING/ TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS SERIOUS RECALL, THE AIR BAGS IN 2014 I HEARD ABOUT THE AIR BAGS BUT NEVER WAS NOTIFIED AS TO WHO HAD THE PARTS TO REPLACE IT. ARE THEY WAITING FOR A CASUALTY? I STILL HAVE PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR AND IT IS NOT WORTH JUNK PRICE!

07/15/2015
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/15/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947664******
Summary

I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES THROUGH SAFERCAR.GOV TO CHECK IF THE AIRBAGS I HAVE IN MY CAR ARE ON THE RECALL. I GET NO RESPONSE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN CHECK TO SEE IF MY CAR'S AIRBAGS ARE OK. A RESPONSE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

07/09/2015
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/09/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943664******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS), THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND COULD DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

06/25/2015
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 06/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: J53TD947664******
Summary

I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO A SUPER HIGHWAY WHEN MY VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I PUT MY ENGINE SCAN ON THE COMPUTER AND IT STATED EGR VALVE....I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE BEEN A P0401 CODE. I ORDERED A NEW EGR VALVE AND REPLACED IT ALONG WITH NUMEROUS GASKETS AND CLEANED EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE MANUAL......WHICH BY THE WAY, IS THE $100 SHOP SERVICE MANUAL THE DEALERSHIP USES! IT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS TIME PERIOD AND THEN BEGAN ALL OVER AGAIN. I USE PREMIUM SHELL GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE AND DO PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ON A REGULAR BASIS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE MANUAL. I HAVE DONE SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE HOWEVER, SUZUKI HAS NOT RESPONDED WITH A SOLUTION. I SEE FORD AND SOME OTHERS HAD THIS SIMILAR COMPLAINT AND REDESIGNED THEIR EGR VALVES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. ALSO, I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL SUZUKI RECALLS HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO SUZUKI SERVICE CENTERS IN AMERICA NOW TO GET THESES ISSUES RESOLVED. THE LATEST RECALL WAS SENT TO ME FROM SUZUKI STATING THE ISSUE AND THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY WHERE TO GET IT RESOLVED......SOON?? NEVER HEARD ANOTHER WORD! THIS IS LIKE 2-3 RECALLS NOW.....AIR BAGS, POWER STEERING PULLEY, AND SEVERAL OTHERS. I DID HAVE THE ABS BRAKE SENSORS AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCK ISSUES RESOLVED AT THE DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE OF THE NEW VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE REST HAVE BEEN UNRESOLVED! THIS EGR VALVE IS EITHER A DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING ISSUE OR RELATED TO ETHANOL ADDED TO THE GAS WHICH IS THE BIGGEST NIGHTMARE EVER FOR ANY ENGINE AND SHOULD BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AS ANY MECHANIC WILL TELL YOU!! IT WAS A MONEY MAKER FOR THE ULTRA RICH AND NOTHING TO DO WITH RESOLVING EMISSIONS OR ANYTHING ELSE AS A DEFECTIVE EGR WILL SPEW MORE POLLUTION THAN NOT HAVING IT AT ALL! UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ

06/16/2015
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/16/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TY92V664******
Summary

SUZUKI HAS NOT PROVIDED INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR VEHICLES FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL. AS A 71 YEAR OLD, WEIGHING ONLY 90 POUNDS, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS IN MY CAR. SINCE SUZUKI PULLED THEIR AUTO UNIT OUT OF THE US A FEW YEARS AGO, THOSE OF US WHO PURCHASED A SUZUKI HAVE BEEN LEFT HANGING HIGH AND DRY.

05/04/2015
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/11/2015
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947264******
Summary

MY VEHICLE WAS AT A STANDSTILL AT A RED LIGHT. I HAD THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHILE WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR INSTANTANEOUSLY SPED FORWARD AT AN UNCONTROLLABLE HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

05/03/2015
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/19/2015
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944564******
Summary

MY WIFE AND I JUST LEFT MY MOTHER'S CONDOMINIUM PREMISES, I TURNED RIGHT ON GENEVA AVENUE IN SAN FRANCISCO. AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT 23 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN! THE CAR TOOK OFF, THE ENGINE REVVED UP, BY IT SELF AND SPED UP, EVEN ME MY RIGHT FOOT STEPPING AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKES! I STEERED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT I NEEDED TO HIT THE BUMPER OF A PARKED CAR IN ORDER TO STOP. IN MY OPINION, MY WIFE AND I WERE SUBJECTED BY THIS CAR INTO A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I LEFT A NOTE AND MY PHONE NUMBER ON THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR I HIT, APOLOGIZED, AND ASKED THE DRIVER TO CALL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I THOUGHT THE FRIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE WAS OVER! AFTER I LEFT MY NOTE FOR THE DRIVER OF THE PARKED CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED TO PROCEED. AFTER HALF A BLOCK, THE ENGINE POWERED UP BY ITSELF, AGAIN, AND WAS LAUNCHING FORWARD. I MANAGED, WITH ALL THE FORCE I COULD MUSTER, TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AND STOP ON A RED ZONE. WE DECIDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOMETOWN, 44 MILES AWAY. THE 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA SHOULD BE EXAMINED THOROUGHLY BY THE MANUFACTURER IN MY OPINION, CORRECT THIS HUGE PROBLEM BEFORE IT KILLS. BETTER YET, IT SHOULD BE BOUGHT BACK BY THE MANUFACTURER. OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT BE DRIVING AT 45 MILES, NOT 23, BY THE SIDE OF THE CLIFF. I ADVISED SUZUKI USA ABOUT THIS. THE MATTER IS PENDING. I WAS TOLD NONCHALANTLY BY A RICHARD TRAVIS THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE EXAMINED. THEY WILL TRY TO 'DUPLICATE THE HARROWING EXPERIENCE. I DID NOT FEEL ANY COMPASSION AT ALL FROM SUZUKI.

02/22/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/22/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY WIFE'S VEHICLE IS SO DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS BULBS. SUCH A SMALL COMPACT AREAS. YOU CAN BARELY FIT YOUR HAND IN TO REMOVE THE VERY SMALL METAL CLIP. WITHOUT SEEING WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I'VE ACTUALLY BROKE THE CLIP TRYING TO REMOVE IT. NOW I HAVE BUY THE WHOLE HEADLAMP INSTEAD OF REPLACING WHAT WAS BROKEN. NOW WHEN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLES HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT MY WIFE HAD SOMEONE LOSE TO REPLACE IT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY BROKE THE CLIP ALSO. IT SHOULDN'T BE SUCH A HASSLE TO SIMPLY CHANGE YOUR BULBS ON A VEHICLE. ON ANOTHER NOTE, TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLAMPS YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE WHOLE FRONT GRILL AND THE FRONT LOWER BUMPER. TOTALLY CRAZY. WHO EVER ENGINEERED THIS IDEA SURELY DIDN'T THINK IT THROUGH. PLEASE HAVE THIS VEHICLE RECALLED FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

01/06/2015
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Incident Date: 01/02/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944464******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING, BELT TENSIONER SEIZED BREAKING BELT AND OVER HEATING CAR. BOTH BELT TENSIONERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING/FAN TENSIONER. NOT FOR THE WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR PULLEY/TENSIONER.

01/02/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 10/16/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944364******
Summary

I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I HAVE CHANGED THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM BULB FOUR TIMES AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TWO TIMES. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE FAN MOTOR TWICE AND THE RESISTOR ONCE. I HAD TO REPLACED THE ERG AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS EXHAUST IN MY COOLANT SYSTEM. THE ONLY PART THE WARRANTY COVER WAS ONE FAN MOTOR. *TR

11/09/2014
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 02/02/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941264******
Summary

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE INTERMITTENTLY GONE OUT SINCE 2009. I REPLACED THE BULBS TWICE BEFORE I REALIZED THE BULBS WERE GOOD, BUT THE SOCKET WAS BAD. SOMETIMES THEY WORK. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. THEY HAVE ALSO GOTTEN EXTREMELY DIM. MY HUSBAND WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND ME AT NIGHT IN OUR SUZUKI AND I HAD TO TELL HIM TO TURN ON HIS HIGH BEAMS BECAUSE ONE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AND THE OTHER WAS BARELY VISIBLE. THE HIGH BEAMS WEREN'T AS BRIGHT AS HIGH BEAMS SHOULD BE. IT SIMPLY LOOKED AS IF HE HAD HIGH INTENSITY BULBS OR HID BULBS. *TR

10/29/2014
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 10/29/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941364******
Summary

I HAVE REPEATEDLY CONTACTED CLAY COOLEY SUZUKI IN ARLINGTON TX BECAUSE I RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE , RECALL IDENTIFICATION CODE "VD". I CALLED THEM ON 8/20 AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE ABOUT 2 WEEKS UNTIL THE PARTS CAME IN. I HAVE TRIED REPEATEDLY TO CALL THEM, ONLY TO BE PUT ON HOLD UNTIL I COULD NOT HOLD ANY LONGER. MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER SAFETY LIGHT IS ON AS WELL. THIS IS THE WORST DEALERSHIP IN THE WHOLE ARLINGTON AREA, AND I AM SO REGRETFUL I EVER WENT TO THEM TO BUY THIS VEHICLE. HOW CAN I GET THIS SAFETY PART FOR MY VEHICLE BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS? I HAVE WAITED FOR OVER 2 MONTHS NOW. *TR

10/25/2014
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 07/24/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941864******
Summary

CAR IS ABANDONED. *TR

10/24/2014
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 08/15/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947064******
Summary

HEADLIGHT BULBS CONSISTENTLY FAIL. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS 6 TIMES OVER THE LIFETIME OF THIS VEHICLE. I LIVE IN A DARK LIGHTED AREA IF MY BEAMS FAIL I MAY INDEED CRASH INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR SIDE WOODS. I HAVE BEEN USING ONLY HIGHBEAMS DUE TO THE INCIDENTS. PULLED AWAY CLIP IT IS MELTED REPLACED ONCE. *TR

10/14/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/15/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947164******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,150.

10/02/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 09/29/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941664******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE, BUT IT WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT THAT WAS LIT. UPDATED 08/26/15. *JB

09/04/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 09/02/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941264******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

08/22/2014
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 06/06/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947764******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

08/20/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/23/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHEN GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE, CAR SUDDENLY LOST SPEED BUT RPM'S KEPT GOING UP, COULD NOT GO OVER 40, WHEN PULLED OVER, PUT IN PARK BUT ENGINE KEPT REVVING UP. *TR

08/20/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/09/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

ONE DAY WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR WHEN I TURN THE KEY, A STATIC NOISE COMES FROM WHERE THE KEY GOES. VEHICLE STARTED BUT WHILE DRIVING, WOULD LOOSE POWER AND ACT LIKE IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. *TR

08/20/2014
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 05/13/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TURN , BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL, HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. MY YOUNG SON WAS IN THE CAR, THIS COULD HAVE ENDED BADLY. *TR

08/20/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/05/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE FUSE THAT GOES TO THE FUEL INJECTORS KEEPS BLOWING, IT ONLY BLOWS HALF OF THE FUSE, EVERY FEW WEEKS, THE CAR WON'T START AND THE FUSE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

08/20/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/09/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE SEAT IS EMPTY AND THE SEAT BELT IS NOT BUCKLED. THE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHES AND BEEPS. *TR

08/19/2014
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 01/01/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947564******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOW BEAM BULBS WERE REPLACED SIX TIMES BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN

07/11/2014
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 07/06/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V864******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING MY BACK AXLE CAME OFF. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE MY VEHICLE OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I HAD BEEN TRAVELING WITH MY FAMILY THE SPARKS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CAUGHT ON FIRE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE BODY SHOP AND NO ONE COULD GIVE ME A EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE AXLE CAME OFF. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED, THIS HAS COST ME UNFORESEEN EXPERIENCES FOR CAR RENTALS AND MISSING WORK TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. *TR

02/25/2014
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 11/20/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941364******
Summary

AFTER STARTING UP MY VEHICLE ON A COLD MORNING THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK IMMEDIATELY. THE FIRST TIME I HIT THEM AFTER PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR AND MOVING THEY DID NOT STOP THE CAR. I STARTED TO ROLL THROUGH THE STOP SIGN, BUT PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND STOPPED. THIS ALSO OCCURRED ON VERY COLD EVENING AT WORK THE TEMPERATURE WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND 10 DEG F. THIS TIME I HAD TO PULL THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. AFTER PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND LETTING THE CAR WARM UP IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

02/06/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/13/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TY92V064******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH TO LANES, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE THEN DRIFTED ABNORMALLY TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC WHAT CAUSED THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

02/02/2014
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 02/12/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944164******
Summary

HEAD LIGHTS BURN OUT EVERY 4 MONTHS DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. *TR

12/17/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 11/07/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947864******
Summary

I LOST BOTH MY HEADLIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. THE FOG LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY CAME ON, BUT BY THE NEXT MORNING I HAD NEITHER. FOG LIGHTS FINALLY RETURNED. EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE WHEN I EXIT MY CAR THE INTERIOR LIGHT GOES OFF AS I HAVE HAD TO TURN IT OFF MANUALLY AS NOT TO RUN MY BATTERY DOWN. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING AIR BAG AND ELECTRICAL BUT I FEEL THERE IS MORE GOING ON IN THE ELECTRICAL . IT COST ME OVER A $100 LAST TIME FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

12/17/2013
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 04/03/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947464******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,600.

12/17/2013
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/01/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V064******
Summary

THE VEHICLES AIRBAG DASH LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CLOCK ALSO BEGAN FLASHING AND CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED. I WAS TOLD BY THE AIRBAG SPECIALIST THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON THIS EXACT VEHICLE YEAR/MAKE/MODEL, BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY UNTIL FIXED. I WAS TOLD THE PART COSTS $1700 TO REPLACE OUT OF POCKET. *TR

10/17/2013
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 11/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V964******
Summary

THE OCM SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. THEREFORE MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2007. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS RARELY BEEN USED. IT HAS ALWAYS REMAINED IN THE SAME POSITION. IT HAS NEVER BEEN SUBJECT TO EXCESS MOISTURE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VALID SAFETY ISSUE TO NEED A RECALL OF THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. IF SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE IS A CRASH, THEN THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THE PASSENGER WILL BE SUBJECT TO MORE SERIOUS INJURIES. MY PASSENGER SEAT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED, JUST ONE DAY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER SHUT OFF. *TR

10/01/2013
Components: SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 10/05/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WE PURCHASED A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA LUXURY IN 2006. WE HAD THE CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND NOTICED THE BACK TIRES WERE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL, ALSO THERE WAS THIS GRINDING SOUND WHEN YOU BRAKE, IT WAS SPORADIC. FROM 2006 TILL 2012 WE WERE GIVEN DOZENS OF REASONS WHY AND SOLUTIONS FOR A COST, NONE OF THEM FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE LAST COMPLAINT IN 2012 WE REFUSED TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP (ONE OF THE TWO IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT WOULD STILL ALLOW YOU TO BRING IN A SUZUKI) UNTIL WE WERE GIVEN A ANSWER, WE WERE TOLD IT IS A INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE? OVER THE YEARS THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED SO MUCH I CANT COUNT. IS IT THE ESP SYSTEM? AS TIME HAS PASSED IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN LOUDER. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN, WE JUST WANT A ANSWER! SUZUKI KNOWS WHAT IT IS AND THEY ARE NOT TELLING ANYONE, THIS IS NOT ONLY IRRESPONSIBLE IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR

09/16/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/02/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941864******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE YEARS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 10V250000 (STEERING), THE STEERING PULLEY BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PULLEY REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE STEERING PULLEY AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO CALL A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

08/15/2013
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/22/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

NOTICE WHILE DRIVING THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON SHOWING THAT MY PASSENGER WASN'T BUCKLED IN EVEN IF THE SEAT BELT WAS ON AND THAT AIR LIGHT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS IF THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT OR EVEN IF NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. SEAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY BACK IN 2008, COVERED BY CAR WARRANTY BUT NOT SURE IF IT WILL BE COVERED THIS TIME AGAIN AS I HAVE 134,000 MILES ON THE CAR ALREADY. WAITING FOR RESPONSE FROM DEALER ABOUT THE SITUATION. *TR

07/23/2013
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941364******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

07/19/2013
Components: SEAT BELTS,SEATS
Incident Date: 07/19/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATBELT LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

07/08/2013
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 07/04/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941264******
Summary

HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO THEM BURNING OUT. HAVE CHECKED SOCKET CONNECTION AND FOUND THAT THERE THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE METAL CLIP IS MELTING. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BUT THEY WILL REPLACED FOR PRICE. THEN CONTACTED SUZUKI SPOKE TO A VERY RUDE WOMEN WHO LOOKED UP GRAND VITARA AND SAID THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEADLIGHT PROBLEM AND WHEN I SAID THAT THERE WERE ONLINE COMPLAINTS SHE SAID DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT IS ONLINE. *TR

07/07/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 07/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947664******
Summary

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HALOGEN 6 TIMES (4 DRIVER-SIDE; 2 PASSENGER-SIDE) PRIOR TO 2013. NOW THE LOW BEAMS WILL HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 8 TIMES DUE TO BOTH BULBS DYING AFTER ROLLING OVER 2 SPEED BUMPS IN A PARKING LOT. NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL LOW-SPEED ACCIDENTS WHEN OTHER DRIVERS WERE BACKING THEIR CARS OUT. AT LEAST THE HIGH BEAMS AND FOG LIGHTS HAVE BEEN FLAWLESS. REPAIRPAL: "THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT BULBS BURNING OUT PREMATURELY. AS OF THIS WRITING SUZUKI HAS NOT RELEASED A SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE..." HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/LOW-BEAM-HEADLIGHT-131. *TR

07/07/2013
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS
Incident Date: 07/13/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947664******
Summary

A HOT DAY OR ANY BAG WEIGHING OVER 5 LBS. WILL TRIGGER THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS PROBLEM IS TO PERMANENTLY BUCKLE THE PASSENGER SEATBELT. *TR

06/25/2013
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 06/17/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941564******
Summary

HAVING TO REPLACE MY HEADLAMP BULBS EVERY FEW MONTHS. DRIVER'S SIDE AND THEN PASSENGER SIDE BACK AND FORTH BACK AND FORTH SINCE 2009. THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS AND APPARENTLY THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURING SUZUKI!!!! GIVE EAR TO THESE COMPLAINTS AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE HEED AND ACTION PLEASE. *TR

06/25/2013
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 01/03/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941564******
Summary

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE DASH AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. NOW THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT ANY TIME WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. *TR

06/04/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 04/04/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY BURN OUT. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE LOW BEAMS EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS AND I AM BEYOND TIRED OF IT. SUZUKI KNOWS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE, BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SUZUKI VEHICLE AGAIN. THEY AREN'T EVEN SELLING THEM IN THE US, SO I GUESS I WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING ANOTHER ONE. *TR

05/10/2013
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 02/04/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944064******
Summary

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR STAYS ON REGARDLESS OF HAVING SOMEONE SIT IN THE SEAT OR NOT. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALSO ON ALL THE TIME. I HAVE CHECKED THE WIRING AND NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH IT. *TR

04/23/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 04/23/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT BURNS OUT CONSTANTLY ~4 MONTHS. REPLACED THEM AT LEAST 8 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. *TR

03/06/2013
Components: SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 03/14/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE944164******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. *TR

02/26/2013
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 02/22/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947364******
Summary

I HAD PULLED INTO THE PARKING GARAGE WHERE I WORK AND WAS PULLING INTO MY SPACE. THE CAR REVVED UP AND TOOK OFF. I HIT THE PARKING CURB, FLEW UP AND BACK DOWN CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IT WAS STILL GOING AND WAS GOING TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN I GOT THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED AWAY AND OUT INTO THE MIDDLE WHERE THERE WAS NOTHING AND GOT IT STOPPED. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN WALKING IN THE GARAGE AT THAT TIME I COULD HAVE HIT AND KILLED THEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

02/26/2013
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 07/10/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941464******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE BLOWER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME FOGGY IN COLDER WEATHER. THE CONTACT HAD TO WIPE THE WINDSHIELD DOWN WITH A TOWEL FOR VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BUT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,100.

02/21/2013
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 01/18/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE944664******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED AT LEAST TEN TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHT UNIT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BLOWER TO THE DEFROSTER ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

02/08/2013
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 02/11/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND DID NOT REACTIVATE EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

05/14/2012
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 04/02/2012
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Summary

WE HAVE HAD SEVERE HEADLIGHT ISSUES WITH THIS 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO MELT EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED 3 TIMES! THE DEALERSHIP OR SUZUKI MOTORS HAVE BEEN OF ANY HELP AND OFFER ZERO ASSISTANCE WITH THE PROBLEM. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE OF GRAND VITARA HEADLIGHT ISSUES WILL GET THOUSANDS OF RESULTS. I AM CONFIDENT THAT SUZUKI IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT SIMPLY REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE BECAUSE IT WILL COST THEM MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. MY HEADLIGHT CAUGHT FIRE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT A GOV'T AGENCY NEEDS TO MAKE SUZUKI FIX. THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND COULD BE FATAL IF HEADLIGHTS ARE BURSTING IN TO FLAMES. I SUGGEST ANYONE WHO HAS HEADLIGHT HARNESS SOCKETS THAT ARE MELTING...NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE! IT CAN AND WILL CATCH ON FIRE!!! *JS

04/30/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/25/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TY92V064******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOSE AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,493.

04/26/2012
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 04/23/2012
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941464******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN BLUE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST, ALONG WITH THE SMELL OF FUEL. THE CHECK ENGINE AND EG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMNATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT A FAILURE IN THE GROUND WIRE FOR THE FUEL INJECTOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,069.

04/22/2012
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 07/08/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943664******
Summary

THE SENSOR BUILT INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE. THE FIX IS A $2000 TOTAL SEAT REPLACEMENT. UNACCEPTABLE. THE CAR THINKS A DOOR OR HATCH IS OPEN AND TURNS THE OVERHEAD LIGHT ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME. ANOTHER SENSOR. YOU HAVE TO BE HOUDINI TO INSTALL A BULB IN THE FRONT LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE BULB IS HELD BY A RINKY DINK CLIP THAT DOESN'T HOLD SO THE FRONT LIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO GOING OUT. THE CLIP WON'T HOLD THE BULB IN PLACE AND EVEN THE DEALER HAS PROBLEMS WHEN YOUR BULB BURNS OUT OR MANY TIMES JUST BECOMES LOOSE. *TR

04/08/2012
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 04/29/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943264******
Summary

SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FAILURE, AIRBAG CODE LIGHT IN DASH ALWAYS ON, CHEKED IN DEALER, AND THE NO PASSENGER INDICATOR LIGHT IN CONSOLE ALWAYS ON WITH A PASSENGER SIT ON THE SEAT. *TR

03/28/2012
Components: AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 08/16/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TO WHOM THIS CONCERN I HAVE A 06 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IM THE ORIGINAL OWNER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, THE DEALER AND COMPANY SAYS I HAVE TO SPEND 2000.00 TO FIX IT IF U GO ON LINE THE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES MY AUTISTIC SON SITS IN THE FRONT AND I BELIEVE THEY DEALER AND COMPANY KNEW ABOUT THIS FOR THE LONGEST TIME NOPT DOING NOTHING TO HELP US EXPECT EVERYONE TO SPEND MONEY WHICH I THINK I SHOULD BE A RECALL, CAN SOMETHING BE DONE TO HELP MY EMAIL IS[XXX] OR[XXX] ADDRESS IS [XXX] TY FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE TO GET A RESPONSE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

03/08/2012
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 02/28/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944064******
Summary

PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AIR BAG SYSTEM DUE TO FAILURE OF A PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SUZUKI REFUSES TO REPAIR IT AS THEY CONSIDER IT OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALER WANTS $1,200.00 TO REPLACE THE SEAT. *TR

02/23/2012
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 01/25/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944064******
Summary

RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT INTERMITTENT SENSOR FAILURE. SEAT INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT SENSE AN ADULT IN THE SEAT CREATING A "PASS" CONDITION WHICH DISABLES THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG(S). *TR

02/01/2012
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 02/12/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JF3TD941664******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY BURNED OUT AND STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY THREE MONTHS FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE AND THAT THE CHEAPEST REPLACEMENT BULBS AVAILABLE SHOULD BE PURCHASED DURING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 78,000.

12/17/2011
Components: POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 12/17/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944564******
Summary

AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A WHEEL BEARING AFTER HAVING A MECHANIC LIFT THE CAR I NOTICED THE CROSSMEMBER FOR THE TRANSMISSION HANGING, AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION OF THE CROSSMEMBER SEEM THERE WERE NO DRAIN HOLES FOR WATER TO EXIT THE MOUNT. AND MAYBE DEFECTIVE METAL USED TO PRODUCE THE PART CAUSED PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE PART LUCKILY I FOUND THE PROBLEM AS THIS PART IS SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND KEEP THE ALIGNMENT OF THE ENGINE TO TRANSMISSION , TO DRIVE SHAFTS, TO THE REAR END , TRANSFER CASE DRIVE LINE TO THE FRONT WHEELS. A TOTAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE DRIVE SHAFTS TO BREAK POSSIBLY CATAPULTING THE CAR, NOT TO MENTION THE ACCELERATED WARE AND TEAR ON ALL PARTS THAT ARE ENGINEERED TO HIGH TOLERANCES TO LINE UP. THIS 4X4 VEHICLE HAS 79, THOUSAND HIGHWAY MILES, NO OFF ROADING . *TR

12/15/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 12/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

12/06/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/14/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V864******
Summary

2006 SUZUKI XL7. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE REGARDING POWER STEERING PUMP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECENTLY RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JANUARY 14, 2010 AND THE INFORMATION WAS SUBMITTED TO SUZUKI ALONG WITH THE FIRST RECALL NOTICE WHICH HE RECEIVED ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 20, 2010, WHICH WAS SEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY SUZUKI, THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE REPAIRS, BECAUSE HE DID NOT KNOW THE PART NUMBER. *JB

12/02/2011
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 10/03/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941364******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE THAT CONTROLLED THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

11/22/2011
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 10/31/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943464******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ESP CONTROL MODULE ILLUMINATED AND THE ABS BRAKING CONTROL ENGAGED AFTER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ESP CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,010. UPDATED 01/24/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, THE STEERING WAS VERY LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST WANTED TO STEER ITSELF. WITHIN IN A FEW WEEKS, THERE WAS HEAVY WET SNOW AND THE ROADS WERE VERY SLUSHY. UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ALMOST BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $1500 TO REPLACE THE MODULE. UPDATED 01/26/12 UPDATED 01/30/12

11/22/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/10/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941964******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR RELEASED FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE BLOWER SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

11/13/2011
Components: AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 11/09/2011
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941264******
Summary

I ENGAGED MY BRAKES AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT GOING ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN I WAS ABOUT 6 INCHES AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALK CURB (ABOUT 6 INCHES HIGH) WITH MY BRAKES APPLIED FULLY MY VEHICLE REVVED UP REALLY LOUD AND LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED THROUGH A BRICK OFFICE BUILDING. I DID NOT STEP ON THE GAS AT ALL. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. *TR

09/22/2011
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 08/31/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944564******
Summary

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. ON THE WAY HOME THE" PASSENGER SEAT BELT OFF" AND AIR BAG LIGHTS REMAINED ON. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO A SUZUKI DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS THE RESULTS WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING THEREFORE THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS WERE DISABLED. THE SERVICE MANAGER QUOTED $1800. TO $2000. FOR REPLACEMENT. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUZUKI. *TR

09/22/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 02/14/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

AT APX. 10000 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE CAR, AND DID NOT GO OUT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR HAD FAILED IN THE SEAT, AND WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AT APX. 25000 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. THE CAR WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE SEAT HAD FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED, THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR FOR $300 DOLLARS. WHICH I PAID FOR. AT APX. 52000 MILES, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. (IT WAS INTERMITTENT, AS IT WOULD SOMETIMES NOT BE ON) AFTER A FEW MONTHS, WE WERE INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT, (STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR ON REAR QUARTER) WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, I WAS ASKED ABOUT THE SEATBELT LIGHT; I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDICATED A FAILURE OF THE WEIGHT SENSOR. I INFORMED THE REPAIR SHOP AND INSURANCE THAT THE LIGHT WAS NOT DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. WHILE I WAS AT THE SHOP, THE ERROR LIGHT WENT OUT, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY (WITHIN 5 MILES) CAME BACK ON AGAIN. THE SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS <<>> IN THE WIRING HARNESS OR SENSOR CONNECTOR, RATHER THAN THE ACTUAL SENSOR (AS THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT.) THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STILL ON. THAT IS THREE AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PERVASIVE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2006 GRAND VITARA... [IN ADDITION, THE CAR BLOWS THE LOW-BEAM (AND SOMETIMES HIGH BEAM) HEADLIGHTS QUITE OFTEN - MORE THAN ANY OTHER CAR I'VE DRIVEN IN NEARLY 40 YEARS OF DRIVING.] *TR

08/15/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/31/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943464******
Summary

I HAVE GRAND VITARA 2006 WITH 21,500 MILES. THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURN ON 21,000 MILES. I CHECK INTERNET A LOT OF THIS SUV HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. AIRBAG SENSOR UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IS DAMAGE. REPLACE FULL SEAT $2,200 TO $2,500. *TR

08/12/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/01/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943X64******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OFA CRASH, UNLESS THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

08/09/2011
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 04/08/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE944664******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHENEVER A PASSENGER WAS POSITIONED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SIMILAR DEFECT IN APRIL OF 2000; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM BULBS WERE REPLACED FIFTEEN DIFFERENT TIMES DUE TO THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE HEAD LAMP SOCKET. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

07/05/2011
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 06/17/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944464******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITS FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS IT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE DOWN SHIFTING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,500.

06/30/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/28/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE945264******
Summary

I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI - GRAND VITARA, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SUZUKI DEALER AND THEY SAID MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IS OUT AND IT WOULD COST $2000 FOR THE PART ONLY. THE LIGHT SENSOR STARTED FLICKERING A FEW MONTHS AGO WITH NOTHING OR ANYONE IN THE SEAT TODAY 06/29/11 FINALLY TOOK CAR INTO DEALER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THEY TOLD ME I COULDN'T EVEN TRADE THE CAR IN BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE UNLESS I REPAIR AND PAY FOR COST ON MY OWN. WHAT IS THAT? *TR

06/09/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944764******
Summary

MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2006, HAS ERROR CODE B1312 WHICH IS A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT WILL NOT DEPLOY ANY AIRBAGS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI BUT THEY HAVE BEEN DODGING THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT SUZUKI SHOULD PAY FOR THIS ENTIRE REPAIR AS A SAFETY RECALL. YOU MAY ALSO FIND MORE SUCH CASES HERE: HTTP://WWW.SUZUKI-FORUMS.COM/2G-2006-GRAND-VITARA/42300-ERROR-CODE-B1312.HTML HTTP://WWW.SUZUKI-FORUMS.COM/2G-2006-GRAND-VITARA/26724-AIRBAG-WARNING-SERVICE-LIGHT-CAME.HTML HTTP://WWW.SUZUKI-FORUMS.COM/2G-2006-GRAND-VITARA/38714-AIRBAG-SENSOR-LIGHT.HTML THANK YOU.

06/06/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 05/21/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943864******
Summary

STARTED TRUCK THE OTHER MORNING PASSENGER AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING IN SEAT.. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE DONE TO VEHICLE. *TR

05/26/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 04/08/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941664******
Summary

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON EVEN WHEN NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THEREFORE, WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SUZUKI DEALER. THE DEALER STATED IT WOULD COST OVER $2,000 TO REPAIR THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. HOWEVER, WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE COULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, BUT TO NOTE THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. WE FELL THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE, AND THE COST FOR REPAIR IS SO PROHIBITIVE. WE FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH REPAIR. QUESTIONS: HAS THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM BEEN REPORTED FROM OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS? IF SO, WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR? OR IS THIS THE FIRST TIME THIS TYPE OF ISSUE HAS SURFACED?

05/19/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 04/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 11111111111******
Summary

I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI - GRAND VITARA, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SUZUKI DEALER AND THEY SAID MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IS OUT AND IT WOULD COST $2000 FOR THE PART ONLY. WHAT DO I DO? *TR

05/06/2011
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 05/06/2011
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943964******
Summary

EARLIER TODAY, 6 MAY 2011, MY MOTHER WAS BEGINNING TO DRIVE OUT OF THE BANK DRIVE-THRU WINDOW WHEN HER VEHICLE TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN UNTIL SHE WAS ABLE TO CRASH IT AGAINST A WALL TO AVOID IMPACTING OTHER CARS AND PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THE AREA. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT FOR THIS VEHICLE, A FEW MONTHS AGO, AGAIN JUST BEGINNING TO MOVE, SPED OUT OF CONTROL IMPACTING THE NEIGHBORS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SUZUKI DEALER FOR A MECHANICAL EVALUATION, BUT NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS FOUND. THAT SAME SUZUKI DEALER HAS BEEN THE ONLY PLACE WHERE SERVICES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON THAT SUV AND I DON'T BUY FOR A SECOND THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AFTER A SECOND INCIDENT. *TR

04/28/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 11/18/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943164******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,675. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN UPDATED 06/16/11

04/15/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V464******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE OCM SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,200.

04/01/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 05/05/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941664******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE SENSOR WAS SUPPOSES TO RECOGNIZE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AND ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/04/11

03/23/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 03/10/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TY92V564******
Summary

SAFETY ISSUE ??? NOT SURE IF AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WITH ADULT IN THE SEAT. SEEMS UNSAFE TO ME. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. LIGHT COMES ON AND CHIMES (MEANING A SMALL PERSON IS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND SEATBELT IS OFF EVEN WHEN NO ONE SITTING IN SEAT). ONSET CAME WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. LIGHT DOES GO OFF WHEN AN ADULT SITS IN SEAT. *TR

02/15/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 10/01/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941964******
Summary

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUALLY FOR MONTHS. THE DEALER STATES IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY $2,000 TO FIX THE DEFECT WHICH IS A SENSOR IN THE SEAT. VIN# [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

02/14/2011
Components: AIR BAGS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,INTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 02/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943764******
Summary

I GOT A 2006 GRAND VITARA BRAND NEW AT FIRST IT WAS LITTLE THINGS LIKE MY DOME LIGHT SWITCH BREAKING AND THE WINDOW CONTROLLER BECOMING LOSS AND AFTER GETTING THEM FIXED THEY BREAK AGAIN A WEEK LATTER THEN A SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON ABOUT THE AIR BAG AND WONT GO OFF THE WORST THING IS MY AIR CONDITION CONTROL ONLY LETS AC RUN CANT TURN IT OFF AND DON'T TRY TO PUT THE HEAT FROM YOU FEET TO FACE THE AIR MIGHT JUST STOP WORKING THEN I STARTED TO HAVE BEARING ISSUES THAT WAS A RECALL ITEM BUT MY DEALERSHIP CLOSED SO I HAD TO DRIVE 47 MILES DROP IT OFF AND HAD TO COME BACK THE NEXT DAY TO GET IT THAT WAS THE FIRST RECALL THEN MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE A WEIRD NOISE I GOT THE NOTICE OF ANOTHER RECALL AND MY PULLEY BROKE AND I CANT DRIVE MY CAR 47 MILES TO GET IT FIXED I ASKED IF I JUST FIX IT MY SELF WILL THEY REFUND ME MY MONEY BACK FOR THE PART THEY SAID NO AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN SHIP THE ITEM TO ME BECAUSE IM NOT A SHOP BUT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY 50 DOLLAR TOWARDS MY THREE HUNDRED DOLLAR TOW TO GET MY CAR THERE. *TR

01/14/2011
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 12/27/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES NOW (ON DRIVER'S SIDE) AND 5 TIMES ON PASSENGER SIDE. NO OTHER BULBS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND I RUN WITH MY FOGLIGHTS ON, AS I DRIVE TO WORK ON GRAVEYARD SHIFT. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING AND RECURRING SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY THE H7 BULB IS THE WEAKEST BULB OUT THERE. *TR

01/14/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 09/28/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY VEHICLE (IN ADDITION TO HEADLIGHTS THAT BURN OUT FREQUENTLY), HAS HAD THE AIRBAG SENSOR CONTROL LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED OFF AND ON FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE HIGH PITCHED BEEP-BEEP-BEEP ...ALARMING, OF COURSE. MINE ALSO CAME ON A LITTLE OF 54,000 MILE. AS IT IS INTERMITTENT, AND I AM GENERALLY IN THE VEHICLE ALONE, I HAVEN'T HAD IT LOOKED AT OR REPLACED. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN NO ONE AND/OR NOTHING IS ON THE FRONT SEAT. VARIOUS SPEEDS (FROM 35 MPH TO FREEWAY SPEEDS). E LIGHTS FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ARE CONSTANTLY ON. THEY CAME ON AT APPROXIMATELY 56000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY SUZUKI OF NASHVILLE THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY THE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT NOT SURE. COST OF $2700 TO REPAIR. ALSO I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY OR IF THE SEAT BELT WILL CATCH WHEN BRAKES ARE ACTIVATED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY SUZUKI - POSSIBLE A RECALL WOULD BE THE PROPER APPROACH. APPARENTLY THE SENSOR MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, NOT THE WHOLE SEAT. IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS TO CHARGE $2700 FOR A FRONT SEAT CUSHION WHEN THE CAR IS WORTH APPROX $10,000. *TR

01/08/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/03/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V064******
Summary

I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT AND NOTICED SOME EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T RESPOND TO WHAT I WANT IT TO DO. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMING OUT, THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE COLUMN WAS LOOSE. MY CAR IS A SUZUKI 2006 XL-7 WITH 59000 MILES AND NEVER HAD A ACCIDENT OR ANY WORK DONE TO IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND IT MAY COME OUT WHILE DRIVEN IN THE HIGHWAY.

01/07/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 11/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943864******
Summary

AIRBAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE AND SEAT BELT LIGHT PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ARE CONSTANTLY ON. THEY CAME ON AT APPROXIMATELY 56000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY SUZUKI OF NASHVILLE THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY THE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT NOT SURE. COST OF $2700 TO REPAIR. ALSO I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY OR IF THE SEAT BELT WILL CATCH WHEN BRAKES ARE ACTIVITATED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY SUZUKI - POSSIBLE A RECALL WOULD BE THE PROPER APPROACH. APPARENTLY THE SENSOR MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, NOT THE WHOLE SEAT. IT SEEMS RIDUCULOUS TO CHARGE $2700 FOR A FRONT SEAT CUSHION WHEN THE CAR IS WORTH APPROX $10,000.

01/07/2011
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 07/15/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947X64******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS NOT WORKING FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2 YEARS LATER THE HEATER BLOWER WAS NOT WORKING. THE MECHANIC THAT PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR PERFORMED THE SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

01/07/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 01/07/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

12/31/2010
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 12/22/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE944364******
Summary

BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BLOW OUT FREQUENTLY AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

12/09/2010
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 09/17/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941464******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER A PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PASSENGER SEAT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT TO RESET IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD COVER 50% OF THE REPAIR COSTS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT CUSHION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,600. UPDATED 02/1/11*LJ UPDATED 04/14/11

10/13/2010
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 09/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944064******
Summary

BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE ENGAGING AND AT TIMES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET THE BRAKES CHECKED, THE PADS WERE FINE, BUT ONE OF THE CALIPERS WAS MISALIGNED. WHEN I TOOK THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IN TO GET THE RECALLED POWER STEERING TENSIONER PULLEY REPLACED, AND FOR SERVICING, THEY LOANED ME A VEHICLE. I ALMOST WENT THOUGH THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE FUNCTIONAL BRAKES OF THE LOANER, ACTUALLY ANY BRAKES ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I DRIVE. IT ALMOST FEELS AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE HAD TO USE MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEARS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. BRAKE SHOES, PADS WHATEVER THEY ARE CALLED ARE FINE. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T THINK THAT SAFETY IS A CONCERN. ALSO, I MIGHT ADD THAT THE REPLACED POWER STEERING TENSIONER PULLEY NOW CREATES A SEVERE KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE (THAT DID NOT EXIST PRIOR TO THE REPLACEMENT). I HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES TO REPAIR ... APPARENTLY, SUZUKI HAS ALSO ISSUED ANOTHER TECHNICAL BULLETIN TO DECREASE THE KNOCKING, BUT IT IS STILL THERE! *TR

09/28/2010
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 08/18/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941864******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY FELL; SHE HAD TO PUT THE BULB BACK IN MANUALLY. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CHECK THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED HER THAT THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SOCKETS WHICH MELTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SOCKETS WOULD CONTINUE TO MELT EVEN IF SHE REPLACED THEM AGAIN. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, SHE WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF UPDATED 12/29/10

09/24/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 09/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943964******
Summary

I READ IN YOUR PAGE THAT 46,500 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA HAS A PARTS THAT HAVE TO BE CORRECTED BY SUZUKI,WITHOUT ANY COST. I WENT TODAY TO AUTOLAND OF MAYAGUEZ,PUERTO RICO. MR. EMANUEL LOPEZ TOLD ME THAT HE JUST HAVE TO ORDER THE PULLEY BECAUSE HE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE PART FOR THE AIR CONDITION. CAN YOU HELP ME? WHAT CAN I DO TO SEE IF THEY REPLACE IT? GRAND VITARA SUZUKI 2006.HE TOLD ME THAT IT IS FALSE INFORMATION SOME PEOPLE WRITE ON INTERNET. *TR

09/13/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/13/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943364******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V250000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: PUMP) AND CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TENSION PULLEY REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME OF DELIVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LATER BECAME INOPERABLE AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

09/13/2010
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944664******
Summary

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ON. DEALER WANTS APPROX $2000.00 TO REPLACE SEAT BOTTOM BECAUSE SENSOR IS BUILT IN. LIGHT WAS COMING AND GOING NOW IT IS ON ALL THE TIME AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOW INOP CAR WAS APPROX 1800 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. NOW HAS APPROX 40,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE AN INVOICE FOR MY VISIT TO DOCUMENT ISSUE. *TR

09/10/2010
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/23/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943364******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. IN ORDER TO REPAIR IT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SENSOR. SUZUKI WAS CONTACTED BUT STATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON CONTINUOUSLY AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

09/09/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 08/08/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947864******
Summary

MY EX-HUSBAND BEFORE GIVING MY DAUGHTER THE USE OF HIS 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA TOOK IT INTO MARKETPLACE CHRYSLER - SUZUKI, INC IN ROCHESTER, NY ON 6/23/2010 TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND FOR THEM TO TAKE CARE OF ANY RECALLS ON THE CAR THAT HAD NOT BEEN DONE YET. WELL ONE THEY DID WAS "SB SHIFTER INTERLOCK" REPLACED PER RECALL IS STATED ON THE RECEIPT. WELL ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 8TH 2010 AROUND 10PM SHE WAS MOVING THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IN THE DRIVEWAY UP CLOSER TO THE HOUSE AND THE SHIFTER MOVED OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE WITHOUT HER HAVING HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE... IT WAS COOLER OUT AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FAST ALSO. WELL THE 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WENT THROUGH THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. MY GARAGE DOOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE DAMAGES TO THE SUZUKI HAVE BEEN FIXED ALL PAID FOR BY MY EX-HUSBANDS GEICO AUTO POLICY. THE DAY THE CAR WAS PICKED UP FROM BEING REPAIRED WE TOOK IT STRAIGHT BACK TO MARKETPLACE CHRYSLER-SUZUKI AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BUT ONCE A RECALL IS DONE THEY CAN'T REDO IT AND HAVE IT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THEY DID EVALUATE THE VEHICLE AND STATED ON THE REPAIR INVOICE "CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL COME OUT OF PARK WHEN OFF OR RUNNING" "TECH FOUND THAT THE SHIFT SWITCH WAS FAILING. REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH NEW. TEST." I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THIS. *TR

09/03/2010
Components: SUSPENSION,TIRES
Incident Date: 05/28/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE944764******
Summary

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA , REAR TIRES ARE GOING BALD WITHIN 12000-15000 MILES, CRAZY THING IS THAT IT IS ONLY HAPPENING TO THE REAR TIRES...I JUST WENT AND GOT MY THIRD SET OF TIRES THIS AFTERNOON SINCE HAVING THIS 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I GUESS I BETTER START FILLING UP MY PIGGI BANK FOR THE NEXT SET OF TIRES IN 12000-15000 MILES, THAT IS UNLESS SUZUKI CORP. ADMITS THAT THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

09/03/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Incident Date: 06/06/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947664******
Summary

MY REAR BRAKES ARE MAKING A LOUD NOICE LIKE METAL AGAINST METAL. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AT SEVERAL PLACES, INCLUDING A SUZUKI DEALERSHIP (WRIGHT SUZUKI) IN ADDITION TO FIRESTONE AND MR. TIRE. ALL THREE SAID MY REAR BRAKES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AS WELL AS THE FRONT. I ALSO REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS TO GO DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER THAN WHAT I PRECIVE AS NORMAL (COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES). THIS STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND I JUST HAD THEM CHECKED AGAIN ON 8/28/10 AT MR. TIRE AGAIN, AND NOTHING IS WRONG. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO WRIGHT SUZUKI TO HAVE ANOTHER RECALL ON THE SAME VECHICLE CERTIFIED THAT I HAD THE WORK DONE EARLIER, ANOTHER SUZUKI GRAND VITARA LIKE MINE WAS PULLING INTO THE SERVICE BAY AND IT'S REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING THE SAME NOICE AS MINE. I SPOKE TO THE OWNER AND HE SAID HIS STARTED ABOUT 2 WEEKS EARLIER AND HE TOO NOTICED HIS BRAKE PEDDLE GOING DOWN FURTHER THAN IT HAD BEFORE. NOW I ONLY HAVE MINE AND THE OTHER SUZUKI OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM, I AM FILING A COMPLAINT TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I'M AFRAID MY BRAKES MAY FAIL WHEN I NEED THEM MOST. I'M TRYING TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE BUT NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

09/02/2010
Components: STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 05/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FREQUENTLY BURN OUT AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR TWICE CHANGED, NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON FREQUENTLY. AC BLOWS HOT AIR SUDDENLY. POWER STEERING PLASTIC TENSIONER MAY BREAK OUT. REAR WHEEL COVER IMPACT WIIL DENT BACKDOOR. *TR

09/01/2010
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/11/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN, THIS EFFECTS MY PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING SYSTEM ALSO. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SUZUKI SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY SERVICE CONTRACT, I CALL MY EXTENDED WARRANTY CO. AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED ALSO. THIS IS AN AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION WHICH COULD BE A SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

08/18/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/28/2010
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V764******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI XL7. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING FAILED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER ARMS, NECK, AND STOMACH. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE STOMACH, HEAD, AND FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND THAT HIS INSURANCE COMPANY COULD FILE A CLAIM AGAINST THEM FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. IN AUGUST 2010, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTICE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V250000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: PUMP) ADVISING THERE WAS A DEFECT IN HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

08/16/2010
Components: SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 09/01/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V564******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE SEVERELY WORN AND FRAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEATBELTS COULD BE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,722.

08/12/2010
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 01/02/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941064******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT SHUT ON AND OFF AND IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AND THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR APPROXIMATELY $2,275. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTIFIED SUZUKI WHO WAS UNABLE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

08/12/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 05/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE945064******
Summary

ALL WAS NORMAL IN THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE DEFECTIVE ITEMS BELOW: AC FAN BLOWER MOTOR- BROKEN, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO AIR BLOWING THROUGH VENTS. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT- BROKEN, PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

07/29/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 05/22/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE944164******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FALL FARTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD THAN USUAL. THE DEALER ORDERED AND WAS AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF A MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE PADS TO REPLACE ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARTS HAD NOT ARRIVED AFTER TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER BLED THE BRAKE LINES AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PARTS HAD ARRIVED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED HER SAFETY WAS IN JEOPARDY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 131,000.

07/19/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 08/18/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943564******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR DISPLAYED A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,921 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

07/19/2010
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 07/19/2010
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947264******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 45,000.

07/15/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SUV LOST POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC WOULD NOT TAKE GAS TOOK TO DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM TWO WEEKS LATER SAME THING HAD TO GET BOOSTED THREE TIMES TO GET TO DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS ALTERNATOR THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

07/12/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/06/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943264******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V250000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RECALLED PART WAS AVAILABLE. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 28 MILES FROM HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT REPAIR IT SINCE THE PART WAS NOT IN STOCK. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE AS WELL AS THE UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. HE EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. UPDATED 8/25/10 *CN UPDATED 08/27/10 UPDATED 08/30/10*JB

07/07/2010
Components: SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 03/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943364******
Summary

I NOTIFIED MY CAR DEALERSHIP, SUZUKI THAT MY SEATBELT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. THEY STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $85 FOR THEM TO MAKE A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. THEN PAY FOR WHATEVER PARTS/LABOR TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT COME ALL THE WAY OUT, IT APPEARS THAT THE SPRING LATCH THAT CONTROL IT IS BROKEN. THEY STATED THAT THE SEATBELT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY AFTER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILEAGE. MY QUESTION IS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS IS NOT COVERED, MY VEHICLE IS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. IT APPEARS THAT NO ONE IS CONCERN WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE SEAT BELTS ARE THE NUMBER ONE SAFETY FEATURE IN ADDITION TO THE AIRBAGS. THAT WOULD BE LIKE TELLING ME THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THEY DON'T DEPLOY THEN WHO IS AT FAULT AND WHO BE SUED IN THE EVENT OF DEATH? I WILL TAKE THIS FURTHER IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED, BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

05/25/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/24/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947464******
Summary

POWER STEERING FAILS DUE TO LOSS OF TENSION ON BELTS BECAUSE PLASTIC OR NYLON TENSION BAR BRAKES OR FALLS OFF. APPARENTLY HAPPENS ALL THE TIME ON THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AT SUPER HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

04/15/2010
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943464******
Summary

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. CONSUMER STATES CONCERN WITH THE FAILURE OF THE ESP (ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM) MODULE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPLACEMENT UNIT IS $3,000.00 PLUS INSTALLATION AND TAX. *JB

04/05/2010
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 03/17/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941064******
Summary

I PURCHASED A 2ND HAND 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE LIGHT FOR MY AIR BAG LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS I CONDUCTED MY RESEARCH WITH THE MAINLAND SUZUKI OFFICE AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, IT WAS PRESENTED TO ME THAT MANY, MANY VEHICLES OF THE SAME WAS BROUGHT IT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT BUT WAS RESPONSIBLE IN PAYING A LITTLE OVER $2,000.00 OUT OF MY POCKET. APPARENTLY THE "BLACK LISTED" EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS PROVIDED TO ME AT THE TIME OF SALE, DOES NOT COVER RESTRAINTS. I AM UPSET THAT THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS CAR DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, AND FOR 2ND HAND BUYERS - WE ARE MADE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. I AM UPSET ON TOP OF BEING FINANCIALLY DRAINED AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO PROCEED IN FILING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. CAN YOU RESPECTFULLY RESPOND AS I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANTY THAT COVERS RESTRAINTS IN PLACE? *TR

04/03/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/31/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947464******
Summary

GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY I EXPERIENCED A MAJOR LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO "MUSCLE" IT TO MY OFFICE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. IN SEARCHING THE WEB, I DISCOVERED THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE BELT TENSIONER WHERE A MOLDED PLASTIC OUTER RING IS PRONE TO FAILURE. WHEN THIS BREAKS, THE BELT BECOMES LOOSE AND LOOSES ITS GRIP ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. SURE ENOUGH, PARTS OF THE BROKEN OUTER RING WERE FOUND IN THE PAN UNDER THE ENGINE. SUZUKI HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON NEWER CARS WITH AN ALL METAL PULLEY AND IT'S AN EASY REPLACEMENT. I WAS LUCKY, HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED GOING AROUND A CURVE OR TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. SUZUKI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART IF THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY.

03/18/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/16/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2.7L SUV -TURNING THROUGH A MAJOR INTERSECTION WHEN THE POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY LOST IT'S OUTER RING WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOSS OF THIS RING CAUSED THE BELT TO SLIP, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, NOT JUST POWER STEERING, BUT OF STEERING ALTOGETHER BECAUSE THE BELT SLIPPAGE WAS CAUSING INTERMITTENT PUMPING OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, CAUSING FLUID CAVITATION AND MAKING THE WHEEL IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. BY SHEER LUCK I MANAGED TO GET MY VEHICLE TO TURN BY ALMOST HITTING A CAR HEAD -ON. SUZUKI KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE 2006 AND 2007 GRAND VITARA POWER STEERING PUMP TENSIONER PULLEYS AND HAS EVEN RELEASED A REVISED PART THAT USES A METAL OUTER RING ON THE PULLEY INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC ONE. HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE I HAD 41,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THIS FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED. AFTER DISCUSSING MY CONCERN WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER I CALLED THE 800# FOR SUZUKI AND COMPLAINED AND THE LOCAL DISTRICT MANAGER CALLED MY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND DECIDED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT AFTER I TOLD THEM ABOUT WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET ABOUT SO MANY OTHERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THAT I WAS GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR

03/16/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947964******
Summary

POWER STEERING PULLEY BROKE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. FAILURE : LOST POWER STEERING. HAD TO TOW THE SUV TO THE DEALERSHIP (SINCE IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING). DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PULLEY. I HAVE THE OLD PULLEY. *TR

02/28/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/27/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947164******
Summary

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. *TR

02/12/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947664******
Summary

THERE IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE 2006, 2007 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE POWER STEERING TENSIONER, DUE TO ITS DEFECTIVE DESIGN, CAN FALL APART AT ANYTIME. THAT PARTICULAR PART HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED, DUE TO MANY FAILURES, AND THE NEW PART SUBSEQUENTLY UTILIZED IN THE LATER MODELS OF THAT VEHICLE. HOWEVER, NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE BY SUZUKI TO RECALL THE VEHICLE OR INFORM IT'S OWNERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE POWER STEERING TENSIONER BREAKS APART, THE POWER STEERING IS IMMEDIATELY DISABLED AND THE DRIVER IS FACED WITH A VERY SUDDEN, SEVERE INCREASE IN EFFORT, REQUIRED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MANY PEOPLE WOULD PANIC IN THAT SITUATION AND COULD VERY LIKELY HAVE A COLLISION. AS SOON AS I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HAD ME BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. THE REPAIR MANAGER MENTIONED TO ME THAT HE HAD AT LEAST 20 FAILURES OF THAT COMPONENT OCCUR WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS. I CALLED SUZUKI, BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST NOR EVEN GIVE THE SLIGHTEST HINT OF WANTING TO RECALL THAT MODEL & YEAR VEHICLE. FYI, THE ORIGINAL TENSIONER CONSISTED OF A METAL PULLEY WHEEL WHICH HAD A PLASTIC ?U? SHAPED RIM MOLDED ONTO THE OUTSIDE OF THE PULLEY. THE FUNCTION OF THE PLASTIC RIM IS TO HOLD THE POWER STEERING BELT IN PLACE. THE FAILURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED ARE DUE TO THE PLASTIC RIM FALLING OFF OF THE PULLEY (DUE TO DETERIORATION OR FATIGUE), LOOSENING THE BELT AND THUS NO LONGER TURNING THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE NEW COMPONENT IS NOW DESIGNED AS ONE PIECE AND IS ALL METAL. *TR

02/01/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943864******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2.7L SUV ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY LOST IT'S OUTER RING WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOSS OF THIS RING CAUSED THE BELT TO SLIP, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, NOT JUST POWER STEERING, BUT OF STEERING ALTOGETHER BECAUSE THE BELT SLIPPAGE WAS CAUSING INTERMITTENT PUMPING OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, CAUSING FLUID CAVITATION AND MAKING THE WHEEL IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. BY SHEER LUCK I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT CRASHING. SUZUKI KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE 2006 AND 2007 GRAND VITARA POWER STEERING PUMP TENSIONER PULLEYS AND HAS EVEN RELEASED A REVISED PART THAT USES A METAL OUTER RING ON THE PULLEY INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC ONE. THE PART WAS $180 AFTER TAX, AND TOOK AN HOUR OF LABOR TO INSTALL. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED. *TR

01/02/2010
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TIRES
Incident Date: 09/01/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES ON MY VEHICLE FOUR TIMES IN THREE YEARS AND ALL SUZUKI WILL SAY IS IT IS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM AND A WEAR PROBLEM AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. I HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY ON TIRES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS FOR THIS VEHICLE THAN I CAN AFFORD. AND MY TIRES KEEP GOING BALD WITHIN 12K MILES OR LESS AND I HAVE PUT THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT SUZUKI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND NOT THE TIRES. HOW MANY TIMES DOES IT TAKE TO ROTATE TIRES AND GET ALIGNMENTS ON A NORMAL WORKING VEHICLE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TIRES WEARING OUT TO BALD AND THREADBARE BEFORE A 3K MILE ROTATION IS DONE ON THEM. VEHICLE ALSO SKIDS ON WET ROADS AND ALIGNMENTS KEEP GOING OUT ON VEHICLE AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED ANY MORE. ALSO IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN FIRST STARTING TO DRIVE VEHICLE. MECHANICS SAID BRAKES ARE FINE BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND HELP US FOLKS THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING TIRES EVERY TIME WE TURN AROUND. *TR

12/17/2009
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 12/11/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE944X64******
Summary

I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST ALL GEARS ON MY CAR. I STARTED TO ROLL BACK. I AM ALSO GOING ON MY FOURTH SET OF TIRES ON THIS CAR. THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO THINK THIS IS NORMAL. *TR

11/15/2009
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 11/13/2009
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947564******
Summary

( CORRECTED REPORT ) MY WIFE HAD JUST FILLED THE TRUCK UP AT SHEETZ..I WENT TO PULL IT UP AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN GEAR IT TOOK OFF...WENT ABOUT 70 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR AND BRICK WALL..BRAKES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR NOT WORKING..MY WIFE HAD A SIMILAR EVENT THE DAY BEFORE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND WE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT.. THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN !! I WAS NOT INJURED AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE STEET RIGHT IN FRON OF ME!! I FOUND NO RECALLS OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE INTERNET AND NO SIMILAR REPORTS..BUT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED..ACCIDENT IS REPORTED WITH WEST HILLS POLICE JOHNSTOWN PA .. *TR

11/15/2009
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 11/13/2009
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947564******
Summary

MY WIFE HAD JUST FILLED THE TRUCK UP AT SHEETZ..I WENT TO PULL IT UP AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN GEAR IT TOOK OFF...WENT ABOUT 70 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR AND BRICK WALL..BRAKES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR NOT WORKING..MY WIFE HAD A SIMILAR EVENT THE DAY BEFORE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND WE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT.. THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN !! I WAS NOT INJURED AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE STEER RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!! I FOUND NO RECALLS OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE INTERNET AND NO SIMILAR REPORTS..BUT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED..ACCIDENT IS REPORTED WITH WEST HILLS POLICE JOHNSTOWN PA .. *TR

11/15/2009
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 11/13/2009
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947564******
Summary

MY WIFE HAD JUST FILLED THE TRUCK UP AT SHEETZ..I WENT TO PULL IT UP AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN GEAR IT TOOK OFF...WENT ABOUT 70 FEET INTO A PARKED CAR AND BRICK WALL..BRAKES WERE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR NOT WORKING..MY WIFE HAD A SIMILAR EVENT THE DAY BEFORE BUT IT WAS BRIEF AND WE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT.. THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN !! I WAS NOT INJURED AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE STREET RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!! I FOUND NO RECALLS OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE INTERNET AND NO SIMILAR REPORTS..BUT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY KILLED SOMEONE OR BEEN KILLED..ACCIDENT IS REPORTED WITH WEST HILLS POLICE JOHNSTOWN PA .. *TR

10/07/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/18/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947164******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHEN SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE HESITATING. SHE WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE AFTER REPEATED BRAKING ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE WHEELS WERE MISALIGNED. FOUR NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED WHICH INCLUDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE RESURFACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,251.

06/03/2009
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 05/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941564******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE TENSIONER PULLEY WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE AND REPLACED THE TENSIONER PULLEYS FROM PLASTIC TO METAL ON ALL MODELS AFTER 2006. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THEY WERE ALREADY AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

05/16/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941564******
Summary

MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA HAS A BROKEN POWER STEERING TENSIONER PULLEY. THE REASON IS THAT THE MANY 2006 MODELS OF THE GRAND VITARA USED A METAL PULLEY WRAPPED WITH A PIECE OF PLASTIC AROUND IT. THE PLASTIC HAS CRACKED, AND ACCORDING TO SUZUKI, IT IS NOT FREE TO REPLACE IT. SINCE 2007, SUZUKI HAS STARTED USING A ALL-SOLID METAL TENSIONER PULLEY AFTER REALIZING THAT PLASTIC TENDS TO BREAK MORE OFTEN. ACCORDING TO SUZUKI, A BROKEN TENSIONER PULLEY WILL LEAD TO IMMEDIATE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THIS COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS WHEN POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. HAVING REALIZED THIS DESIGN FLAW, SUZUKI IS STILL NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC-COVERED TENSIONER PULLEY FOR FREE, ASKING ME FOR $200 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN WHERE I AM NOT AT FAULT. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE TECHNICIAN IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD'VE DONE TO PREVENT IT, AND HE SAID NO. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES IF LEFT IN IT'S CURRENT STATE. I FEEL LIKE THIS TYPE OF DESIGN FLAW SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SUZUKI TO CORRECT, AND NOT THE CONSUMER. *TR

04/30/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/02/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941164******
Summary

STARTED MY CAR AND THERE WAS A LOUD ODD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AFTER A LITTLE INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING TENSIONER (WHICH ON EARLY 06 MODELS SUCH AS MINE WAS MADE FROM PLASTIC) HAD CRACKED CAUSING A LOUD NOISE AS WELL AS AN END TO MY POWER STEERING. THE CAR IS WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FIX IT AS IT DOESN'T FALL UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THIS SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE EARLY MODEL 06 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA OWNERS. SUZUKI FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH LATER 06 MODELS AND ON NEWER MODELS BY CHANGING THE TENSION PULLEY FROM PLASTIC TO STEEL. *TR

04/16/2009
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 03/30/2009
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92VX64******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT PASSED OUT WHILE DRIVING, BUT WOKE UP RIGHT BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND FILED A REPORT. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS NOT INJURED. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

03/31/2009
Components: POWER TRAIN,TIRES,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 02/28/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

PALANCA DE CAMBIO. *TR

03/21/2009
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 03/20/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943364******
Summary

ON 3/20/2009 APPROXIMATELY 7:30 PACIFIC TIME-MY 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO COMPLETE BREAKDOWNS WITHIN TWO AND 1/2 MONTHS. IN THE PREVIOUS REPAIR FROM THE PROBLEM DATED JANUARY 3RD 2009, [PREVIOUS ODI NUMBER 10258356], IT WAS FOUND THAT A TWO PART GEAR WHICH DRIVES THE CAM BROKE RESULTING IN BENT VALVES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE, AND THUS REPLACED.(THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY IT BROKE) A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE HEADS WENT TO A MACHINE SHOP FOR WORK TO BE DONE. ON MARCH 20TH AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M PACIFIC TIME, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM DINNER, AND UPON GOING UP A SHORT GRADUAL HILL, THE VEHICLE MADE A 'RATTLING' SOUND LIKE A CHAIN SLIPPING IN A GEAR. THE SOUND LASTED APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS AND THE ENGINE DIED IN NEARLY THE SAME MOMENT AS THE SOUND. I TURNED OFF THE KEY- I THEN TURNED KEY BACK TO ACCESSORIES TO SEE WHICH LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. THE ENGINE, OIL AND BATTERY LIGHTS STAYED ON. I DID NOT TRY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER REPAIR SHOP. (3/21/09) 38800 APPROX. MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE DIED THREE WEEKS TO THE DAY FROM THE GETTING IT BACK FROM THE FIRST REPAIR. *TR

02/11/2009
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 01/03/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943364******
Summary

SAT 1/3/09: 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA DIED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON MTN LOOP HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY DIED-NO WARNING-SPEEDOMETER FELL TO ZERO. ENGINE LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER TRYING TO RESTART ENGINE. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE TO GET IT OFF OF THE ROAD. COULD NOT START IT LATER. HAD IT TOWED. 1ST REPAIR SHOP FOUND SPARK PLUGS GUMMED-REMOVED THE VALVE COVER. "REQUIRES REPLACEMENT GASKETS AND OTHER PARTS-IT APPEARS THE KEY FOR THE TIMING "CHAIN" BROKE AND CAME OFF-NEED TO DISMANTLE MORE OF THE ENGINE." THEY DID. THE DAMAGE APPEARS TO BE BENT VALVES AND THE BROKEN 2-PIECE GEAR". THEY DISCUSSED REBUILD VERSUS ENGINE REPLACEMENT BEING POTENTIALLY A LESS EXPENSIVE OPTION. FOUND OUT THAT POWER TRAIN STILL UNDER WARRANTY. UNDER WARRANTY WERE REQUIRED TO SEND TO A DEALER SHOP. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER SHOP-THEIR DIAGNOSIS-APPARENT PROBLEM IS TWO GEARS THAT WORK TO DRIVE THE CAM SEPARATED AFTER ONE GEAR BROKE. LEFT VALVES ARE BENT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. MACHINE SHOP WORK IS REQUIRED ON CYLINDER HEAD. SUZUKI'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER: CASE # 2-181089136-2-PIECE GEAR HAD A DISTINCTIVE CRACK. "THE ". ENGINE HEAD WAS SENT FOR MACHINE SHOP WORK IS BACK-2/10 WORK CANNOT START UNTIL 2/16 OR LATER. THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE LOWER ENGINE. DO NOT KNOW ABOUT AVAILABILITY OF BROKEN PARTS. VEHICLE STILL AT SHOP. IT HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE SINCE 1/3/2009. *TR

02/08/2009
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 02/01/2009
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947164******
Summary

ON FEBRUARY ,1ST, 2009 , THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 GOING EAST NEAR VIDOR, TEXAS. WHILE GOING ~ 60 M/HR. LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT WAS SPINNING ON THE FREEWAY(2 LANES , CONSTRUCTION ZONE).THE CAR ALSO HAD SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT AND REAR RIGHT BUMPER DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST THE FREEWAY DIVIDER. ALL 4 TIRES WERE INTACT, NO BLOW OUTS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SUZUKI DEALER IN HOUSTON (DMONTROND SUZUKI 281-872-0934). MY INSURANCE COMPANY ADJUSTER DECIDED TO TOTAL THE CAR ON 2/6/09. I CONTACTED SUZUKI CORPORATION AT 800-934-0934 TALKED TO ORLANDO. ORLANDO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR AND ALL HE CAN DO IS TO GET INFORMATION AND GIVE ME A CASE NUMBER, I GAVE HIM THE SAME DETAILS IN THIS LETTER AND THE CASE NUMBER HE GAVE ME IS 2-183409403. I DID NOT HEAR FROM SUZUKI SINCE I FILED THE COMPLAIN ON 2/6/09. *TR

12/20/2008
Components: POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 12/19/2008
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V664******
Summary

APRIL 21ST 2008 WE HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO MEDVED IN WHEAT RIDGE, CO. WHERE THEY HAD DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THEY HAD DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SENSORS, 4-LOW SWITCH, AND TRANSFER CASE MODULE. THEY HAD KEPT THE VEHICLE UNTIL MAY 2ND, 2008. MID MAY 2008. JULY 25TH 2008 I DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK DOWN TO MEDVED BECAUSE SUZUKI AMERICA DECLINED A TOW, THE REASON FOR THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ABOVE, THIS TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO RECOVER CODES FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THEY RAN, THEY THEN DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ACTUATOR SWITCH AND SENSORS, MY VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN THE SHOP UNTIL JULY 31ST ,2008. SEPTEMBER 3RD ,2008 I CALLED MEDVED AND REQUESTED A TOW TO THEIR SHOP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN 4-LOW AGAIN, THEY SENT A MAN TO LEADVILLE FOR THE SUV THAT AFTERNOON AND TOOK IT TO MEDVED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD DISCOVERED CORROSION AT THE CONNECTORS ON THE RIGHT FOOTWALL AREA OF THE DASH. THEY HAD THEN REPLACED THE MAIN HARNESS ON THE VEHICLE. EAST BOUND ON I-70, I HAD JUST PASSED THE EXIT FOR EDWARDS WHEN THE 4-LOW KICKED ON FOR A THIRD TIME THAT MORNING, I COULDN'T GET CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND STARTED MAKING A WEIRD SOUND, I THEN HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE THEN FLEW ACROSS 2 LANES AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. I CALLED 911 (APPROX 8:59 AM) AND REPORTED THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE NO ONE HAD STOPPED TO SEE IF I WAS ALRIGHT (THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY), I WAS THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE VAIL HOSPITAL FOR THE INJURIES THAT HAD OCCURRED DURING THE ACCIDENT. PLEASE CALL ME OR E MAIL ME I DO HAVE MORE INFO FOR YOU BUT IT WONT FIT IN THIS SQUARE 7192933068. *TR

12/05/2008
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 12/05/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT ON THIS CAR. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF BACK TIRES IN LESS THAN 36,000 MILES. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IT'S NOT A PROBLEM... BUT JUST SOMETHING I SHOULD EXPECT WITH THE GRAND VITARA. HE ADVISED THAT THEY DO KNOW THAT THE CAR IS EATING UP BACK TIRES AT A VERY QUICK RATE, BUT THAT SINCE THEY KNOW THIS, THEY NOW EXPECT IT AND THEREFORE IT IS NOT AN ISSUE. I AM NOW REPLACING MY SECOND SET OF TIRES AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES (MY FIRST SET WAS REPLACED AT 19000). THEY ARE COMPLETELY BARE AND UNSAFE. I AM APPALLED THAT INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE FOR THE SAFETY OF IT'S CUSTOMERS (AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD), THAT INSTEAD SUZUKI IS JUST ADVISING ME TO "DEAL WITH IT". I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT MY TIRES PROPERLY FILLED, CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE ETC. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS CAR THAT IT IS MAKING THESE TIRES GO BALD SO QUICKLY. *TR

10/27/2008
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 10/27/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL AND GRINDING FROM FRONT RIGHT OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL. YET WHEN I DRIVE MY 07 KIA I ALMOST SEND MYSELF THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD EVERYTIME I PRESS ON THE BRAKES (SAME THING APPLIES WHEN I DRIVE MY 1988 C2500) BECAUSE I'M SO USE TO HAVING TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND MULTIPLE TIMES. I'M SURE THIS ISN'T NORMAL. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T THINK THAT SAFETY IS A CONCERN. *TR

07/10/2008
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 04/23/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V164******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI XL-7. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE HEARD A SEVERE GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND HER HUSBAND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ONLY. ONCE AGAIN IN MARCH OF 2008, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND HAD TO REPAIR THE BRAKE PADS AND TURNED THE ROTORS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED AGAIN; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE WOULD NEED THE ROTOR TURNED AGAIN AND ALSO NEW BRAKE PADS. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V452000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR) WAS REFERENCED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,480 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

03/07/2008
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 08/01/2006
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TY92VX64******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI XL-7. THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BOLTS ON THE SUSPENSION WERE VERY LOOSE. THE FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 4 OR 5 TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY STATED THAT THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE. THE BOLTS HAVE ONLY BEEN RETIGHTENED INSTEAD OF REPLACED. THE BOLTS LOOSEN EVERY FIVE MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,875 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FOR THE CONTROL ARM BOLTS BEING LOOSE. THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILED CONTROL ARM BOLTS. UPDATED

02/27/2008
Components: STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,SEATS
Incident Date: 08/27/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE947764******
Summary

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEMS ARE: STEERING SHAFT, ENGINE MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION, GASOLINE ODOR FROM ENGINE AND SEAT WARMER NOT WORKING. *KB THE ENGINE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE CAMSHAFT TIMING BELT WHICH NEEDED TO BE RE-TORQUED. THE PURGE VALVE WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. *JB

02/08/2008
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 09/12/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WITH RECALL ON TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. DEALER TRIED A COMPUTER UPGRADE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DID NOT WORK. *KB UPDATED 05/15/08. *JB

01/25/2008
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 01/24/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE A 2006 SUZUKI XL7 IN APRIL OF 2007 BRAND NEW. YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE AT PROXIMATELY 65-70 MILES PER HOUR MY LEFT REAR TIRE, A BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE DUELLER HT 687 (P235/60R16) BLEW OUT. I AM CONCERN AS I HAD NO WARNING THAT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND DUE TO WHERE THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND HOW FAST I WAS DRIVING I COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 20,000 MILES ON IT AND THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE O KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TIRE AS WELL. I TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND HAD THIS OCCURRED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE THIS COULD ENDED OUR LIVES. *TR

01/08/2008
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 12/17/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941564******
Summary

I PURCHASED MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IN 2006 BRAND NEW. WITHIN 15K MILES, THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT, SO I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD PUT 2 NEW TIRES ON IT, IF I PURCHASED AND ALIGNMENT, WHICH I DID. NOW AT 33K MILES, MY TIRES ARE WORN OUT AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY HAD CHANGED THE SPECS ON SUZUKI'S ALIGNMENTS, SO NOW MY ALIGNMENT IS OUT DUE TO OLD SPECS. THEY DID OFFER TO PUT 2 NEW TIRES AND ALIGN IT IF WE PURCHASED 2 MORE TIRES @ $380.00. I TOLD THEM I COULD GET TIRES CHEAPER THAN THAT AND THEY PULLED THE OFFER. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, AS LONG AS THE ALIGNMENT IS OUT, IT WILL CONTINUE TO EAT MY TIRES OFF. IT IS VERY UNFAIR THAT I HAVE TO GET AN ATTORNEY TO GET SUZUKI TO FIX MY CAR THAT IS UNDER WARRANTY. I KNOW THE TIRES ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE ALIGNMENT IS!!! *TR

01/02/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/12/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943164******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SHIFTING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE STEERING BOLTS. TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN FELL ON THE FLOOR CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. A FORMAL COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF PAIN IN HER NECK AND BACK. UPDATED

12/21/2007
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/01/2007
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943164******
Summary

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 6,500 MILES STEERING COLUMN. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR STEERING COLUMN BEING LOOSE. TOLD US THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY IT GOT LOOSE BUT THEY TIGHTENED UP. THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED ONTO LAP CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF CAR. *TR

11/26/2007
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS
Incident Date: 09/01/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941064******
Summary

I PURCHASED A SUZUKI GRAND VITARA IN JULY OF 2006. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, 4 WEEKS AT THE MOST, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE DEALER FAULKNER SUZUKI (HARRISBURG, PA) AND TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN OXYGEN SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THEY CHANGED THE SENSORS. BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEREAFTER, APPROXIMATELY EVERY 4 TO 8 WEEKS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - TO WHICH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT FAULKNER RESPONDED BY CHANGING THE OXYGEN SENSORS AND REPLACING THE ASSOCIATED COMPUTER. ALSO OF NOTE, THEIR WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WHEELS ON THE CAR (WHICH IMPAIRED STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS) TO WHICH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED WITH HAVING ME PURCHASE NEW TIRES - THE CAR WAS 8 MONTHS OLD AT THIS POINT (THIS DID NOT FULLY RESOLVE THAT PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT DID IMPROVE SOMEWHAT). DURING ALL THIS, THE CAR WAS EMITTING A SMOKE SMELL/EXHAUST INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS (I WAS TOLD THAT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DETECT THE SMOKE SMELL/EXHAUST). WITH ALL OF THIS IN MIND, I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT THE BUSINESSES PRACTICES OF SUZUKI. WHEN THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR BEGAN, I ASKED TO HAVE MY TRADE IN VEHICLE RETURNED TO ME OR TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE (AS I FELT UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR I PURCHASED) NEITHER REQUEST WAS HONORED. I HAD NOT EXPECTED TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH A NEW CAR, NO ONE DOES. SO WHEN A PROBLEM AROSE, MY EXPECTATION WAS THAT IT WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY RESOLVED, THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. OVERALL, IN MY OPINION, THIS MATTER WAS POORLY HANDLED - IT TOOK OVER A YEAR AND LEGAL INVOLVEMENT BEFORE SUZUKI WOULD BUYBACK THEIR FAULTY VEHICLE. AS A CONSUMER, I FEEL THAT THIS COMPANY SHOWED LITTLE CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY, TIME, OR MONEY. I IMPLORE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND WORK TO ENSURE THAT ANY FUTURE SUZUKI CUSTOMERS RECEIVE BETTER SERVICE AND A BETTER (SAFE) PRODUCT. *TR

08/28/2007
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 05/23/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE943964******
Summary

FAULTY LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT, BOTH SIDE WERE BLOW OUT OR MELTING, ONE OF THE EVENTS WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. IN FIRST TIME, I CALL THE SERVICE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE USE AND TIME OF THE LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I ACCEPTED THEIR EXPLANATION. BUT, AGAIN AT JUNE THEY BLOW OUT OR DAMAGE AGAIN, THIS TIME AT NIGHT. I WENT TO THE SERVICE DEALER AND AGAIN THEY SAID THE SAME REASON THAT THEY GAVE ME WHEN I CALL. AGAIN I ACCEPT, BUT THEY DIDN'T CHANGE IT. AGAIN ONE WEEK AGO THEY BLOW OUT, THEN I DECIDE TO DO THIS COMPLAINT. EVERYTIME I CHANGE THE LIGHTS I CHANGES FOR THE ONES THE MANUAL SAID. SINCE THE SECOND EVENT I SAW SOME VEHICLES LIKE MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THE LOW HEADLIGHT WERE BLOWOUT. *TR

08/13/2007
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 08/11/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TY92V464******
Summary

MY HUSBAND UNLOCKED OUR TRUCK DOOR. HE PUT OUR SON IN THE CAR SEAT AND THE KEYS DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND HE WENT TO SHUT THE DOOR, THE DOOR CAUGHT AND LOCKED WITHIN NOT EVEN 30 SECONDS. AND ITS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. SO, WHY NOW? MY HUSBAND HAD TO BROKE OUR WINDOW TO GET OUR SON OUT. HE WAS IN THERE FOR AWHILE CAUSE NO ONE WOULD HELP US. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU COULD DO FOR US TO HELP US REPLACE THE WINDOW. *JB

06/27/2007
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 11/01/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD941364******
Summary

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MINE AND MANY OTHER 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MODELS WHERE THE REAR ALIGNMENT IS WAY OUT OF SPECIFICATION CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO GO BALD WITHIN 10,000 MILES. SUZUKI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING, THEY HAVE ALREADY CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT, HOWEVER THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE BAD TIRES. THE TIRES ONLY HAVE TREAD LEFT ON THE INSIDE EDGES INDICATING A SCRUBBING SITUATION. I FEEL THAT THE TIRES ARE VERY UNSAFE, AND I NOW CANNOT DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD.

05/29/2007
Components: VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 11/20/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944964******
Summary

AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2006, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPT OF PHIL LONG SUZUKI 9 TIMES IN AN 8 MONTH PERIOD. THE HEATER INSIDE THE SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XSPORT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE SERVICE DEPT HAS NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT. I'VE BEEN CAUGHT IN 4 BLIZZARDS HERE IN COLORADO WITH 2 BABIES IN THE CAR AND NO HEATER! THE SUZUKI CORPORATION REFUSES TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT! THE DISTRICT MANAGER, MIKE WETSTONE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT RUDE AND REFUSES TO HELP WITH THIS MATTER. THE SUZUKI CORPORATION REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND HAS CONTINUOUSLY PUSHED US OFF ON THE DISTRICT MANAGER. I DEFINITELY PURCHASED A LEMON AND WAS THREATENED BY MIKE WETSTONE THAT IF I GO THROUGH WITH FILING A REPORT THROUGH THE LEMON LAW, IT WILL COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET!!! *TR

05/03/2007
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 01/31/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES PRODUCED A LOUD SCRUBBING AND SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING 45 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES TO HAVE THE FAILURE REPAIRED, BUT IT RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE ,AND IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE, VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,491. *AK

04/19/2007
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 03/31/2007
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TX92V964******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI XL-7. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE AND THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

04/12/2007
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 04/12/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944964******
Summary

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 9,000 MILES. SHE HAD THE HOOD OPEN IN THE MORNING OF 4-12-07, BUT SLAMMED THE HOOD SHUT. AFTER DRIVING AT 20 MILES THE HOOD FLIPPED UP AND OBSCURED HER VIEW. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, AND WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE HOOD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY HOOK FOR THE HOOD HAD TO BE REPLACE AS IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 05/21/07 *TR

03/21/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 10/01/2006
Crash: Yes
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943664******
Summary

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, HAS HAD SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES SINCE SHE'S PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS HER AIR BAG SENSOR; SHE STATED THAT WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONSTANTLY TURNS ON AND OFF. SHE HAS STATED THAT SOMETIMES IF YOU SIT IN THE SEAT A CERTAIN WAY THE AIRBAG SENSOR WORKS. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHANGED THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE ON ONE OCCASION. THE SEAT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AND THEY CHANGED THE SEAT SENSOR AND THAT DIDN'T WORK. THE STATED THAT THEY HAVE ALSO RE CALIBRATED THE SEAT AND THE SEAT SENSOR WAS STILL MALFUNCTIONING. ON 03/16/07 WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH SHE TRIED TO PASS TWO VEHICLES ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE STATED THAT THE ENGINE ACCELERATED, BUT INSTANTLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. SHE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT NOT SURE IF ANY OTHER LIGHTS TURNED ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DROVE TWO MILES AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS OF NOW SHE'S WAITING FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7016.

01/17/2007
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 01/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE944364******
Summary

ENGINE MAKES KNOCKING NOISE IT HAS BEEN IN THE SUZUKI SHOP TWICE AND ITS STILL NOT FIXED. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL. DEALER STATES THE NOISE ARE IN OTHER SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THEY NEED TO RECALL AND STOP SELLING VEHICLES UNTIL THEIR QUALITY IMPROVES. *JB

12/22/2006
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 12/20/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD943364******
Summary

WE BOUGHT A SUZUKI GRAND VITARA FROM THE CAR COMPANY, HERE IN WARSAW INDIANA, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ARE A HAZARD TO DRIVING AT NIGHT, WE HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERS TWICE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED . THE DEALER TRIED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BUT HE COULD NOT, SO I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT, HOPPING THAT SUZUKI WILL BE INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM, WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS.

11/30/2006
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 11/29/2006
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TY92V664******
Summary

AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP IN TRAFFIC BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, ATTEMPT NORMAL ACCELERATION TO CONTINUE IN TRAFFIC FLOW. VEHICLE SPEED THEN STALLS AT UNDER 25 MPH WITH RPMS GREATER THAN 3.5 AND ENGINE ROARING. PULLED OVER TO CURB AND PARKED. WITH VEHICLE IN PARK , REVVED ENGINE TO OVER COME STALL. WHEN TAKING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK IT JUMPED FORWARD AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. *JB

11/30/2006
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 07/29/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TY92V664******
Summary

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FASTER THAN 25 MPH AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB

10/27/2006
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 10/21/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947X64******
Summary

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE HEADLIGHTS HAD A DISTORTION AND A WHITE LIGHT DIMINISHED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY ESPECIALLY UNDER SEVERE WEATHER AND AT NIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING FINE AND WERE PROPERLY ALIGNED, THEY DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING AS DESIGNED. OWNER AFFIRMED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DEFECTED.

10/06/2006
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 09/06/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947064******
Summary

REFERENCE: 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, CONTINUING REAR BRAKE PROBLEM PLEASE HELP ME SECURE A SAFE FIX FOR MY CAR AND ANY OTHERS DRIVERS / PASSENGERS THAT MIGHT BE AT RISK DUE TO THIS REAR BRAKE DEFECT. THE REAR BRAKES: THE LAST WARRANTY REPAIR DID ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF THE NOISE AND VIBRATION. BUT NOW IT HAS RETURNED FOR THE THIRD TIME WITH A MORE PRONOUNCED NOISE AND VIBRATION WITH THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM OF NO STOPPING CORRECTLY DURING A RECENT SUDDEN STOP. DURING THE SUDDEN STOP THE REAR BRAKES WERE VERY NOISY AND VIBRATED THE WHOLE VEHICLE TO THE POINT I AM CONCERNED FOR THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND MY SAFETY. DEALER COMMENTS TO ME AFTER THE FIRST WARRANTY REPAIR WERE THAT THE BRAKE SHOES HAD TO BE GROUND DOWN TO SOME DEGREE TO CLEAR THE SIDES OF THE BRAKE DRUMS. THIS DID IMPROVE BUT, THIS APPEARS NOT TO BE A PERMANENT FIX. THE LAST WARRANTY REPAIR 3 OCT. 2006 LASTED FOR ABOUT 100 MILES. THE REAR BREAKING PROBLEM IS MOST APPARENT DURING HARD BRAKING WITH THE FOOT PEDAL AND ANYTIME THE HAND BRAKE IS USED. I HAVE ALL THE SUPPORTING WARRANTY DOCUMENTS AND A COPY OF SUZUKIS SERVICE BULLETIN IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM WITH AN APPARENT FIX THAT IS NOT A FIX. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE CONTROL OF OTHER VEHICLES AND THEIR OCCUPANTS SAFETY. I FILLED A COMPLAINT WITH SUZUKI CUSTOMER SERVICE 6 SEPT. 2006 AT 3:28 PM LOCAL TIME DENVER, COLORADO WITH ALBERT AT 800-934-0934 EXT. 2465 AS THIS WRITING I HAVE NOT HAD A REPLY FOR SUZUKI CUSTOMER SERVICE. I HAVE ASKED THE WARRANTY DEALER TO GET A SUZUKI FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INVOLVED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS AREA OF COLORADO DOES NOT HAVE A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CURRENTLY. PLEASE HELP ME SECURE A SAFE FIX FOR MY CAR AND ANY OTHERS THAT MIGHT BE AT RISK DUE TO THIS REAR BRAKE DEFECT. *JB

09/29/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/09/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944064******
Summary

DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS DIM AND CHANGE MODE AT WILL. HVAC BLOWER FAN WHISTLES UNDERCARRIAGE DUST COVER SHAKES LOOSE (NEEDS BOLTS!) WHAT ELSE IS WRONG -- NOT SURE IF I WANT TO KNOW! HAVE CALLED DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, BUT HAVEN'T HEARD BACK. *JB

09/27/2006
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 09/15/2006
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD944764******
Summary

FRONTAL COLLISION (50 MPH IMPACT) AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ENGINE CUT-OFF DID NOT WORK. ENGINE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF MANUALLY. VEHICLES TOTALED BY MISSOURI HIGHWAY PATROL. *JB

08/23/2006
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/01/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SUBMISSION FOR DEFECTIVE 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 4X4. *TS THE CONSUMER NOTICED A SERIOUS VIBRATION IN THE DRIVE TRAIN AT 65 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE DEALER TOOK A DRIVE SHAFT FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE AND INSTALLED IN THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. NOW THE VIBRATION IS OCCURRING AT 45 MPH AS WELL AS 65 MPH. THE DEALER HAS TRIED 3 TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE REASON WHY HE NOW HAS 2 PROBLEMS INSTEAD OF ONE IS BECAUSE THE MECHANICS STARTED CHANGING PARTS WITHOUT TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND CHANGED THE WRONG PART. THE VEHICLE HAS MORE THAN ONE DRIVE SHAFT ALONG WITH UNIVERSAL JOINTS AND TRANSFER CASE. *JB

08/14/2006
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 06/19/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947X64******
Summary

DRIVE SHAFT AND AXLE (EXTREME VIBRATION) POSSIBLE FAILURE. SUZUKI CAR COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS BEFORE. 2006 GRAND VITARA BROUGHT NEW ON 6-17-06. *NM

04/21/2006
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEATS
Incident Date: 03/03/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TD947964******
Summary

THIS HAPPENED DAY AFTER WE BOUGHT VEHICLE. VALVE TAPPING COMING FROM MOTOR AT IDLE. RATTLING NOISE FROM ENGINE AT 50 MPH. PASSENGER HEATED SEAT WORKS 10% OF THE TIME. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP GAVE BACK IN ONE HOUR. THE HELP TICKET STATES NEED TO ORDER PART TO HEAT SEAT AND THEY NEED TO CALL TECH SUPPORT TO RESOLVE TAPPING. I TOOK SUV TWO WEEKS AGO I CALL EVERY OTHER DAY. THEY SAY THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR TECH SUPPORT AND THEY WANT TO FIX BOTH PROBLEMS AT ONCE. ARE THEY WAITING UNTIL THE MOTOR HAS SERIOUS DAMAGE BEFORE MOVING ON TO FIX IT? *JB

01/06/2006
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 01/06/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JS3TE941764******
Summary

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY SHINE 50 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO OPERATE. *AK

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