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Suzuki VitaraYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 115 NHTSA owner complaints across 6 model years, no Suzuki Vitara year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Vitara has 5 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years'99 '00 '01Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints115Top: SuspensionSafety recalls51999–2004 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Suzuki Vitara years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Vitara median. Tap a year for its full report.

'99'00'01'02'03'04
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2004Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall2003Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2002Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2001Solid55/10027 complaints · 0 recalls2000Solid50/10035 complaints · 0 recalls1999Solid45/10050 complaints · 4 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Suzuki Vitara problems

All model years combined: 115 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
Suspension270
Engine and engine cooling261
Power train181
Structure90
Service brakes, hydraulic90
Air bags87
Fuel system, gasoline60
Vehicle speed control62
Exterior lighting51
9 other systems252
5 recalls

Suzuki Vitara recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Fuel system, gasoline04V-427 · 2004 · Aug 30, 2004 · 172,093 vehicles–Brake lights: switch99V-273 · 1999 · Oct 15, 1999 · 8,408 vehicles–Electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.99V-154 · 1999 · Jun 28, 1999 · 1,273 vehicles–Front: anchorage99V-155 · 1999 · Jun 28, 1999 · 1,273 vehicles–Steering: steering wheel/handle bar98V-324 · 1999 · Feb 9, 1999 · 38 vehicles