2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems: Cruise / speed control (28 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara is Cruise / speed control (39% of 28 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 28 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

11 of 28 filings named Cruise / speed control (39% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Electrical (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 2002 has 46 reports on file; this year has 28. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2003 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. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  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 11 complaints · 39.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 1
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 2
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 2002 →
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 11 of 28 owner complaints (39.3%) in this vehicle snapshot. Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 11 complaints, 39.3% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 11 · 39.3% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 6 complaints, 21.4% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 6 · 21.4% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 3 complaints, 10.7% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 3 · 10.7% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 2 complaints, 7.1% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 2 · 7.1% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 1 complaints, 3.6% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 crash reports 1 · 3.6% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 1 complaints, 3.6% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 1 · 3.6% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 1 complaints, 3.6% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 · 3.6% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 1 complaints, 3.6% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 · 3.6% Tires (TIRES): 1 complaints, 3.6% of reports Tires (TIRES) 1 · 3.6% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 20 complaints, 71.4% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 20 · 71.4% 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) 11 39.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 6 21.4% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 3 10.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 2 7.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 3.6% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 1 3.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 3.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 3.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Tires (TIRES) 1 3.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 20 71.4% 0 crashes · 0 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 Oct 2003; the first recall shown was reported in Jun 2003. 2003-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2004-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2004-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2004-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2005-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jun 2003 Oct 2018 Recall campaign 03V223000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V223000 Recall campaign 03V512000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V512000 Recall campaign 04V427000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V427000 Recall campaign 05V452000 ◆ Recall campaign 05V452000
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2003-Q4 Owner reports 2
2004-Q1 Owner reports 7
2004-Q2 Owner reports 3
2004-Q3 Owner reports 3
2004-Q4 Owner reports 5
2005-Q1 Owner reports 1
2005-Q3 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 2
2010-Q3 Owner reports 1
2011-Q3 Owner reports 1
2018-Q4 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 10 of 28 complaints · page 1 of 2
2018-11-14Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11151386
CrashFireInjuryDeath
SOMETIMES IT WANT START AT ALL
2011-07-07Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 10410869
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING. HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM THE SUZUKI DEALER IN 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JANUARY 9, 2004, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2003. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR SUZUKI TO HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. SUZUKI'S NEGLIGENCE PUT ME IN GREAT DANGER AND RESULTED IN TOWING AND OTHER COSTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL WAS PROPERLY HANDLED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED SUZUKI MOTORS OF AMERICA TO DESCRIBE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE ONLY OFFER IT TO FIX THE RECALL ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE. THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR ERROR IN SELLING THE VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL, NOR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADDITIONAL COSTS I'VE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE. *TR
2010-09-30Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10358473
CrashFireInjuryDeath
MY GAS COVER FELL OFF MY CAR DO TO THE LATCH HOLDING IT ON. *TR
2008-07-23Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10235550
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS GROUNDING OUT AGAINST THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE CURRENT RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY OF THE FAILURES NOTED IN THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
2008-07-21Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10235107
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING FUEL LOSS IN THE IGNITION SOURCE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL WAS NOT ENTERING THE IGNITION, CAUSING A NO-START CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS SAME FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED IF THE FAILURE IS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HER HOME AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
2006-05-19Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10157877
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER ANY CONDITIONS OR SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE. AFTERWARDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IT US UNABLE TO BE PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION UNTIL THE FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS THE PROBLEM HOWEVER IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT REPAIRS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
2005-07-08Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 10127888
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DT: CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 6-19-05. SOMEONE HIT HER. THE CAR TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND LANDED ON ITS TOP. THE PERSON WHO HIT HER WAS GOING APPROX. 70 MPH WHEN SHE CAME ACROSS THE LANE OF TRAFFIC AND HIT HER. SHE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE FEELS THAT BECAUSE THE CAR FLIPPED OVER, THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. SHE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *JB
2005-03-10Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10114904
CrashFireInjuryDeath
BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE USAGE, THE REAR RIGHT SEAT BELT SHREDDED IN HALF. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
2004-12-14Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10103163
CrashFireInjuryDeath
CONTINUALLY UPON STARTING VEHICLE, GO INSIDE AND CAME BACK OUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONSUMER HAD TO FILE FOR BANKRUPCY AND VOLUNTARY REPO BECAUSE HE COULD NOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FROM STATE TO STATE TO BE SERVICED. CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V427000 *TC
2004-11-05Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10101062
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Owners named Cruise / speed control most often — 11 of 28 reports (39%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2003 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 2003 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