2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems and Recalls (46 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara is Cruise / speed control (35% of 46 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Cruise / speed control — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 46 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

16 of 46 filings named Cruise / speed control (35% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Brakes (6 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras, Cruise / speed control, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2001 has 37 reports on file; this year has 46. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Cruise / speed control. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year.
  3. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  4. Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Cruise / speed control. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Cruise / speed control 16 complaints · 34.8% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 7
  • Fires 3
  • Injuries 5
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 2001 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) appears in 16 of 46 owner complaints (34.8%) in this vehicle snapshot. Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 16 complaints, 34.8% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 3 crash reports 16 · 34.8% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 6 complaints, 13.0% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 crash reports 6 · 13.0% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 5 complaints, 10.9% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 5 · 10.9% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 4 complaints, 8.7% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 crash reports 4 · 8.7% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 3 complaints, 6.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 3 · 6.5% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 3 complaints, 6.5% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 3 · 6.5% Tires (TIRES): 2 complaints, 4.4% of reports Tires (TIRES) 2 · 4.4% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 1 complaints, 2.2% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 1 · 2.2% Engine (ENGINE): 1 complaints, 2.2% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 · 2.2% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 37 complaints, 80.4% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 4 crash reports 2 fire reports 37 · 80.4% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 16 34.8% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 6 13.0% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 5 10.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 4 8.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 6.5% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 3 6.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Tires (TIRES) 2 4.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 2.2% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 1 2.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 37 80.4% 4 crashes · 2 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2002; the first recall shown was reported in Jun 2003. 2002-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2003-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2004-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2004-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2005-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2005-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jul 2002 Jan 2020 Recall campaign 03V223000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V223000 Recall campaign 03V512000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V512000 Recall campaign 04V427000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V427000 Recall campaign 05V452000 ◆ Recall campaign 05V452000
  • Campaign 05V452000 was reported 1,135 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2002-Q3 Owner reports 1
2002-Q4 Owner reports 5
2003-Q3 Owner reports 1
2003-Q4 Owner reports 2
2004-Q1 Owner reports 13
2004-Q2 Owner reports 3
2004-Q3 Owner reports 2
2004-Q4 Owner reports 4
2005-Q1 Owner reports 5
2005-Q2 Owner reports 1
2005-Q3 Owner reports 1
2005-Q4 Owner reports 3
2006-Q1 Owner reports 1
2007-Q3 Owner reports 1
2007-Q4 Owner reports 1
2010-Q1 Owner reports 1
2020-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 03V223000
Recall campaign 1 03V512000
Recall campaign 1 04V427000
Recall campaign 1 05V452000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras, Cruise / speed control, and Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 03V223000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    Consequence:
    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 THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 03V512000

    Cruise / speed control

    Report date
    Component:
    Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
    Consequence:
    IF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE BECOMES FRAYED, IT CAN STICK DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THE CASE WHERE AN ACCELERATOR CABLE STICKS, THE DRIVER COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING VEHICLE SPEED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, WHICH INCLUDES THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 04V427000

    Safety recall 04V427000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE FUEL DELIVER HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMP WITH AN IMPROVED CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 05V452000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    THE FRONT BRAKES MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE MAY PULL TO ONE SIDE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005. THESE VEHICLES ARE LOCATED ON ST. THOMAS ISLAND (VIRGIN ISLANDS). OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI DEL CARIBE AT 787-622-0600.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 8 of 46 complaints · page 1 of 2
2020-01-02Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 11296613
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO A BRIDGE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM A STOP SIGN, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING A CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND HER BODY LUNGED FORWARD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (NUMBER 19005490). THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN BY AN AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR HER MULTIPLE INJURIES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN STERNUM AND MULTIPLE TEETH, INJURED HER CHEST WALL, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT KNEES AND NECK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD SUFFERED FROM PNEUMONIA AND WAS SEEKING TREATMENT BY A NEUROLOGIST AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HER LEFT KNEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO UNKNOWN LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
2010-02-22Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 10312651
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AT A STOP WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD BEGIN TO REV WITH THE RPM LEVELS VIGOROUSLY FLUCTUATING. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SINCE JUNE 2009. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURES. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,330. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
2007-11-29Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 10210568
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2002 SUZUKI VITARA WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO REVERSE WITH NO HELP FROM THE DRIVER AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL LOCK UP AND NOT GO INTO REVERSE. SHE ALSO STATES THAT IT HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *JB
2007-08-22Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10200466
CrashFireInjuryDeath
MY 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA (LIMITED 4WD) WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. IT WAS A HILLY STRETCH OF HIGHWAY NEAR PITTSVILLE, MO AND THERE WAS A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW JUST STARTING TO FALL. THE CRUISE CONTROL MADE THE CAR JUMP INTO A LOWER GEAR WHEN ASCENDING A HILL TO KEEP IT AT 55 MPH. THE RPM'S JUMPED FROM ABOUT 2,000 TO 5,000 WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED INTO 3RD GEAR - WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION AND I WRECKED INTO 2 HIGHWAY SIGN POSTS AND SKIDDED SIDEWAYS ABOUT 50 YARDS INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDN'T ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES. IT COST ME $5,000 IN COLLISION DAMAGE TO FIX THE CAR. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES THIS ALL THE TIME STILL WHEN EVEN ON MODERATE HILLS TO KEEP UP WITH THE SET MPH. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW IN MY OPINION. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT NEEDED TO JUMP UP TO OVER 5,000 RPM'S JUST TO GO 65 MPH AND STAY UP WITH THE SET CRUISE SPEED. THANKS. DWS *TR
2006-02-03Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10149408
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I AM WRITING ABOUT THE SEAT BELTS IN MY 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP AND DOESN'T ALLOW THE PERSON WEARING IT TO MOVE. I FIND IT VERY ANNOYING AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE AS WHOEVER IS IN THAT SEAT USUALLY ENDS UP UNBUCKLING IT AND NOT PUTTING IT BACK ON. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IN THE REAR SEATS, ALTHOUGH IT ISN'T AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM AS I GENERALLY DON'T HAVE REAR PASSENGERS. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BOTH FRONT BELTS NOT RETRACTING FULLY WHEN WE EXIT THE VEHICLE, I CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, BUT REPLACING THE RETRACTOR WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE AND I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT AS SEAT BELTS SHOULD LAST LONGER THEN A FEW YEARS. *NM
2005-11-29Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10143880
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK . HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB
2005-10-26Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10142141
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER 2002 GRAND VITARA AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED. *TS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
2005-10-24Suspension (SUSPENSION)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10140554
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT SHE MAY HAVE RUN OVER SOMETHING. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THIS, AND SHE PROCEEDED. AFTERWARDS, THE BRAKES WERE HARD TO APPLY. AGAIN THE POPPING NOISE BECAME MORE PROMINENT AFTER APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND DISCOVERED NOTHING AT THAT TIME. THE POPPING NOISE CONTINUED ALONG WITH HARD BRAKING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT IN WHICH THEY STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED ALONG WITH THE STRUTS. THE ENTIRE HARDWARE INCLUDING THE SHOES AND THE DRUMS WERE DESTROYED. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE WHY THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK (11/23/05) THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE CABLES HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND THE REAR BRAKES COULD SELF DESTRUCT. *SC

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Owners named Cruise / speed control most often — 16 of 46 reports (35%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras, Cruise / speed control, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources