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2003 Suzuki Grand VitaraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 29 owner complaints about the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
67
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years50% below the Grand Vitara median · #8 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints293 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage98kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 14, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara has problems

29 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control120
Electrical system81
Fuel system, gasoline30
Structure20
Tires20
Visibility20
Seat belts10
Latches/locks/linkages10
Engine and engine cooling10
4 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cables

Recall 03V-512 · Dec 5, 2003 · 196,876 vehicles

Risk. IF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE BECOMES FRAYED, IT CAN STICK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield

Recall 03V-223 · Jun 16, 2003 · 5,319 vehicles

Risk. IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Suzuki.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Grand Vitara year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Vitara median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara safety ratings

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Grand Vitara owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO AN EXISTING RECALL ON MY 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING TWO DAYS AGO, THE THROTTLE CABLE BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I WAS ULTIMATELY ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. AFTERWARD, I DISCOVERED AN OPEN RECALL FOR…
Complaint 10410869 · Jul 7, 2011 · 98,000 miles
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7. EVERYTIME THE CONSUMER CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THEY WERE WAITING ON THE PARTS. *TC *JB
Complaint 10101062 · Nov 5, 2004
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V512000 CONCERNING ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP. IT HAS BEEN TEN MONTHS AND THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK
Complaint 10095025 · Oct 4, 2004

Own a 2003 Grand Vitara?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.