Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
140517510015910Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure. 1999-2005 suzuki vitara sq420/sq625l, grand vitara sq625w, and xl-7 ja627 *sc08/16/2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
1410285R10017455Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure. *tt11/08/2005
0602244R201/01/200410007522Oil leaking from left front of engine. *tt06/30/2004
0704213R01/01/200310001717Loud chain rattling noise from right front of engine behind the timing cover. *tt06/23/2003
06011703R01/01/200310001707Oil weepage/seepage from left front of engine. *tt06/23/2003
090314301/01/200310001698Oil level reads at low mark on oil level dip stick. 1999 - 2003 vitara/grand vitara/xl-7. *tt06/19/2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
170329610019614Exhaust noise can be heard from under the vehicle. *tt04/05/2006

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
05/15/200348476107/15/1999
 The engine would not turn over, could not be jump started, and was towed to the dealership. the diagnosis was a dead cell battery at ~48,000 miles. two weeks later the engine would not turn over, but eventually did after a jump start. the following two weeks, when the key was turned to try and start the engine, all that happened was a clicking noise. jump starting was ineffective. it was towed again to the dealership. the diagnosis is engine siezure. the vehicle is four years old, with ~48,000 miles, and perfect service records. the dealer recommends replacing the entire engine in order for the vehicle to run again.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
12/27/20025000103/30/2002
 Rear main seal on engine begins to leak, dripping oil onto chassis crossmembers and exhaust pipes, leaving an oil burning smell. research has shown most owners encounter this problem with the 1999 grand vitara, and that suzuki has redesigned the rear main seal appropriately, in effect admitting that the original seal is defective.*ak
07/21/20031
 Consumer states engine make rattling noise. dealer has inspected vehicle several times, and problem still recurring. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
12/25/200595850511/06/2003
 Vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly loses complete engine power at highway speeds and vehicle speed rapidly drops to under 10 mph. engine runs very rough and there is no response when depressing accelerator pedal. must immediately pull over (if possible) as vehicle is not drivable. after waiting several minutes, engine operation returns to normal but power loss will usually reoccur anytime as quickly as within the next several minutes or as long as a day or two. engine power loss may last as little as a minute or two or for several minutes and check engine light comes on. *jb
06/30/2002106/01/2001
 Vehicle when purchased from dealership-had a loud sound-we assumed that this was normal-the sales person attached a $1500 warranty on the vehicle as if it was a part of the deal-this vehicle was selected by the sales person we never saw the vehicle before the sale or one like it-we went along with the deal only because we needed a vehicle for our family-an they were willing to have it financed-and our credit was not terrific-now we know why they attached the warranty because of the bad engine-the vehical was so small for our family that we went to try to trade it in for a family van at a different dealership-the sales man told us that the vehicle should not be sounding this loud-he said that you should not hear the sound of the engine-thats when we took it back to the dealership-at first they said it would only take 2days for repairs-but now they are saying at least one week and that the whole engine must be taken apart-an that they were having problems with the timing chain-since they did not offer us a loaner we have to transportation-we thought that if you purchased a vehicle from a place like the ford dealership -who is well known! we wouldn't have to worry about being frauded but we guess we were wrong -the purchase of this vehicle has been a nightmare to our family-please notify us about what can be done-we can't afford to pay for a lemon from the ford dealership. no safety defect listed. *ak
08/01/20014
 Consmer is calling to report complete engine failure four times since date of purchase. dealer has yet to be contacted. please provide further details.*ak
11/12/20000
 Motor is blowing oil onto catalyc converter, causing car to smoke in engine compartment. took to dealer, and he replaced a gasket. but, problem has reoccurred. consumer is handicapped, and is afraid of not exiting a car fast enough in event of a fire. please and any furthur information.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1
 While driving 65 mph consumer heard a noise coming from the vehicle. consumer pulled over and inspected the vehicle. then, vehicle stalled. consumer tried to restart vehicle, but was unable to do so. vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the timing chain needed to be replaced. *ak
04/05/200489000104/05/1999
 While driving engine made loud rattling noise and failed.. aaa called to tow vehicle. upon inspection by independent mechanic determined timing chain failed. was mentioned that this was a common failure with this particular vehicle. *ak
300001
 While driving the vehicle started making a rattling noise. upon inspection of the vehicle by the dealership they indicated that the noise was due to the tensioner going bad. the hub bearing and senor also went bad and needed to be replaced at 40,000 miles. please provide any additional information. *nm
30000109/01/1999
 The vehicle was taken to the dealer at 30,000 miles because of a clicking noise coming from the engine. the dealer stated there was no problem with the engine. the vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who found a problem with the tension on the timing chain. the part was on back order. *nlm *tt *jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
08/01/1998
 2.5l v 6 has two exhaust coming off of it, one on the left and one on the right. under the vehicle where they joined the two together they only used flex hose,and it burned out and caught fire, after only 30,000 miles. the piece in question also houses a o2 sensor witch has screwed up emmissions and computer. the piece is also more than 400.00 dollars.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
12/01/20041
 Recall campaign for the suzuki recommended replacing the 4 oxygen sensors. *bf the 4-wheel drive gear would no longer shift, it was discovered years later that it was not assembled correctly. the consumer had emission problems. the consumer stated when he took the vehicle in for repairs for two problems, the vehicle came back with unrelated problems such as the brakes which the dealer stated needed to be adjusted, the front bumper was hanging off and was missing the securing bolts, the vehicle did not have any head lights, it was subsequently determined by an electrical repair specialist that the head light relay was internally damaged, the consumer stated the was also an unidentifiable fuel leak. *jb
12/31/2001
 Fuel odors/fume getting into vehicle while driving. dealer notified and unable to locate problem. feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.*ak
108/25/1999
 Recall 01v146000. dealer has not had parts since april.*ak *jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
 Consumer will complete form concerning extreme odor that comes from catalytic converter. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
09/22/200484000102/01/2000
 The engine suddenly started making a loud noise as if the muffler was broken. a mechanic inspected the vehicle and indicated that the exhaust pipe was broken where it comes out from the engine. *jb mechanic indicz=ated that problem was very common for suzuki. *ak
500001
 Crossover pipe located between the front seat and the back seat cracked. exhaust fumes entered into the vehicle. *ak
07/21/2001306/01/1999
 Differential unit has been replaced on two different occasions. it has been a month since last replacement, and a 3rd replacement is needed along with a driveshaft replacement. dealer has recognized defect, but has not provided accurate remedy.*ak consumer states the vehicle experienced a howling/whistling noise from the rear at speeds between 55 and 65, after the first replacement there was heavy vibration throughout the entire vehicle, another replacement and still no remedy made, dealer has replaced the differential assembly and driveshaft. latch broke off of the air filter box, dealer replaced the filter box. consumer states the brake pedal squeaks when being released fast. *slc
 There is a leak coming from exhaust pipe that is leaking in front of catalyic converter, causing gases to enter vehicle . driver has been feeling drowsey when all windows are rolled up. *ak