Suzuki Grand Vitara Xl-7 2003

Model Grand Vitara Xl-7 made in 2003 by Suzuki got 21 consumer complains there are 3 recalls as well as 1 service bulletin. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system, equipment and other. Technical service bulletines regarding visibility. There were some recalls concerningelectrical system, fuel system, gasoline and visibility.

Model 2003

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
03V495000AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.from 09/02/2002 to 05/20/2003V (Vehicle)2058012/16/2003MFRAMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.12/02/200312/03/2003
Defect SummaryOn certain sport utility vehicles, the ignition system wiring harness is routed under the intake manifold. the harness can rub against the manifold during vehicle operation and abrasion damage to the harness can occur.
Consequence SummaryDamage to the wiring harness can cause a short in the ignition circuit, which can cause the ignition fuse to blow and the engine to stop running. this can result in a loss of control of the vehicle and could cause a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will repair any wiring harness damage and will add additional insulation and a protector plate to prevent the wiring harness from becoming damaged. owner notification began on december 16, 2003. owners should contact suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
NotesSuzuki recall no. en.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
04V427000AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.from 07/01/2002 to 05/31/2003V (Vehicle)17209309/29/2004MFRAMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.08/30/200408/31/2004
Defect SummaryOn certain passenger vehicles, under ambient temperatures below -25 degrees celsius, moisture can freeze in the fuel pressure regulator. as a result, fuel system pressure may increase at the time of engine start up, causing fuel loss at the fuel pipe/fuel hose connection.
Consequence SummaryFuel loss in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesSuzuki recall no. 99-er.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD
03V223000AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.from 09/01/2002 to 02/28/2003V (Vehicle)531907/08/2003MFRAMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.06/16/200306/18/2003571212
Defect SummaryCertain passenger (111 my 2002 esteem, 777 my 2002 aerio, 2,368 my 2003 aerio) and sport utility (324 my 2002 grand vitara, 274 my 2003 grand vitara, 684 my 2002 grand vitara xl-7, and 781 my 2003 grand vitara xl-7) vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212,
Consequence SummaryIf 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesSuzuki recall no. ec.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
04070004/07/2000613521Information regarding a problem with the mechanical part of the window regulator on cl vehicles after the following vin: 1998 3.0 cl, 19uya2--wl004819, 1998 2.3 cl, 19uya--wl005233 or any 1999 cl. *mr07/20/2000

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
06/16/200520000
 I had bought a used suzuki auto from enterprise rental cars. in mid-june 2005 i was returning to phila. on i-95 after taking my daughter to camp in massachusetts. just outside darien, conn. all the power on the car just shut down completely. an 18-wheeler was barrelling down on me in the center lane but fortunately for me the lane to my right was empty and the shoulder was wide enough for me to pull over. after spending the night in darien and having a repair shop tow the car, the mechanic said there had been a blown fuse. he replaced the fuse and gave me a spare and instructions on how to replace it if i needed to on my way home. after i got back to phila., i took the car to my nearest suzuki dealer. the mechanic found the problem which he said was the subject of a recall the previous year and that enterprise had never taken the vehicle in to fix the problem. the problem, by the way, was that a wire's rubber coating had been abraded due to rubbing against the chassis of the car. once the wire was exposed, its touching the metal frame caused the electrical system (including the accelerator) to shut down completely. i don't fault suzuki but rather enterprise car rentals for not allowing the car to be serviced by suzuki when they were given the recall notice and then selling it to me without telling me anything about the recall or whatthey did about the recall.. after i got back to phila., i took the car to my nearest suzuki dealer. the mechanic found the problem which he said was the subject of a recall the previous year and that enterprise had never taken the vehicle in to fix the problem. the problem, by the way, was that a wire's rubber coating had been abraded due to rubbing against the chassis of the car. once the wire was exposed, its touching the metal frame caused the electrical system (including the accelerator) to shut down completely.
106/01/2003
 Failure on brakes, accelerator, alarm, lights and problems with the carpet. *mr the brakes and accelerator were recalled. the brakes made a loud noise when turning the steering wheel. the alarmed failed. the vehicle has been taken to the dealer about ten times in reference to the alarm. the door ajar chime did not work. the carpet was loose. the consumer had to wait two months before it was fixed. *nm
2
 Based on the consequences of not getting the recall work performed, the consumer want the work done or another suzuki grand vitara. *ph problems with alarm system as well as vehicle cutting off and loss of control. *mr
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
98501
 Consumer received a recall notice, and made 3 separate appointments. all were cancelled because parts were not available to service vehicle. *ak
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
106/01/2003
 Failure on brakes, accelerator, alarm, lights and problems with the carpet. *mr the brakes and accelerator were recalled. the brakes made a loud noise when turning the steering wheel. the alarmed failed. the vehicle has been taken to the dealer about ten times in reference to the alarm. the door ajar chime did not work. the carpet was loose. the consumer had to wait two months before it was fixed. *nm
OTHER
106/01/2003
 Failure on brakes, accelerator, alarm, lights and problems with the carpet. *mr the brakes and accelerator were recalled. the brakes made a loud noise when turning the steering wheel. the alarmed failed. the vehicle has been taken to the dealer about ten times in reference to the alarm. the door ajar chime did not work. the carpet was loose. the consumer had to wait two months before it was fixed. *nm
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
08/09/2002105/01/2000
 Transmission slips between second and third gear at normal operating temperature. this was inconsistant but recurring problem which usually occurred when pulling into traffic from a stop. the transmission would slip under acceleration and not shift into third gear until stopped accelerating. this circumstance created a safety hazard while attempting to merge into traffic. the vehicle was brought to the dealer and the transmission was replaced under warranty. the service analyst and technician could not confirm the cause of the problem , but acknowledged this was a recurring problems w/ this type of transmission since the 2000 model year and continues through the 2003 model year. a tsb regarding this type of problem has not been issued.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
106/01/2003
 Failure on brakes, accelerator, alarm, lights and problems with the carpet. *mr the brakes and accelerator were recalled. the brakes made a loud noise when turning the steering wheel. the alarmed failed. the vehicle has been taken to the dealer about ten times in reference to the alarm. the door ajar chime did not work. the carpet was loose. the consumer had to wait two months before it was fixed. *nm
09/19/20031300109/19/2003
 The brakes on the car failed, the brake pedal was pressed and it went all the way to the floor but the car will not stop. the hand brake was pulled and the car was directed out of the road into the grass to make it stop. *jb the distance was measured and it was 75 feet from the point where the brake was applied to the point the car stopped. the car was going 35-40 mph. the driver finally got the car to stop by pulling the hand break but the car hit the bumper hit the rear of pick up truck in front and the tow hitch of the pick up truck cracked the front bumper of the car the car is brand new and has 1300 miles only on the car. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
03/22/2003403/21/2003
 Dt: the brakes are squeaking, and the technician cannot find the cause of the problem. the brake pads were replaced and were still squeaking. the front shocks were replaced, but the technician said the rear shocks not working well, and this was normal. air conditioner (a/c) was not cooling. the vehicle does not feel safe anymore.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
03/22/2003403/21/2003
 Dt: the brakes are squeaking, and the technician cannot find the cause of the problem. the brake pads were replaced and were still squeaking. the front shocks were replaced, but the technician said the rear shocks not working well, and this was normal. air conditioner (a/c) was not cooling. the vehicle does not feel safe anymore.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
10/17/200733800110/23/2003
 I was driving my car home from the park it was raining a little bit suddenly my steering wheel star going the left, i hit the brake and the left side of my car fall down and the car stop completely, i check the wheel and it was about to come out. *tr
STRUCTURE - BODY
07/20/2007970001
 Gas door hinges rust and break causing the door to fall off. *tr
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SHOCK ABSORBER
03/22/2003403/21/2003
 Dt: the brakes are squeaking, and the technician cannot find the cause of the problem. the brake pads were replaced and were still squeaking. the front shocks were replaced, but the technician said the rear shocks not working well, and this was normal. air conditioner (a/c) was not cooling. the vehicle does not feel safe anymore.*ak
SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER
03/22/2003403/21/2003
 Dt: the brakes are squeaking, and the technician cannot find the cause of the problem. the brake pads were replaced and were still squeaking. the front shocks were replaced, but the technician said the rear shocks not working well, and this was normal. air conditioner (a/c) was not cooling. the vehicle does not feel safe anymore.*ak
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
106/01/2003
 Failure on brakes, accelerator, alarm, lights and problems with the carpet. *mr the brakes and accelerator were recalled. the brakes made a loud noise when turning the steering wheel. the alarmed failed. the vehicle has been taken to the dealer about ten times in reference to the alarm. the door ajar chime did not work. the carpet was loose. the consumer had to wait two months before it was fixed. *nm
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL
11/04/20032001
 While driving 15 mph accelerator pedal stuck. as a result, vehicle lost control and collided into a wall barrier. no injuries reported. *ak
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - CABLES
06/15/20041
 Problem with vehicle accelerating backwards when trying to park. *mr the vehicle hit a steel beam. the problem was due to the accelerator cable. (suzuki xl 7) *sc the c onsumer stated the vehicle had just been serviced for a recall regarding the accelrator cable. *jb
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD
12/22/200311206112/22/2003
 I bought this vehicle from a suzuki dealer on long island, 14 months after i bought a suzuki 2003 aerio sx awd, from the same dealer. the aerio had loud humming in the rear of the car. brought it back 3 times before they had a factory rep tell them that the rear differential was defective. they replaced it, and although the humming was gone, there was a terrible vibration whever i stepped on the gas. brought it back 2 times before they said that the engine mounts were defective. they ordered the parts in early november, and said they were on backorder. this is a 2003 car !!! i went back to the dealer, and they made me a great deal. they sold me this 2003 xl7 with 11206 miles. as i drove the car home, i noticed a very severe wind noise coming from the lower left side of the windshield, and a whining type noise when first stepping on the gas. again, this is a 2003 car. this was 12/22/03. i called the dealer and said that i would drop it off after christmas. i did, and they said a factory rep drove the car and said there was nothing wrong. how can suzuki sell cars that seem to have these normal problems ? well i'm online and trying to find information about this car, and find out that the car was bought by the dealer at an auction in colorado. then i go on your website and find the recall about the windshield problem. i am afraid to drive this car. obviously this must be the air i feel rushing in at the bottom of the windshield. i can't believe this. i am bringing the car back to the dealer tomorrow. i am very afraid to drive it. the great deal with the xl7 now costs me more money every month and his mistake added another year onto my payments. is there someone i can go to about this, even though it's been 3 weeks since it was purchased ? this is really not fair. now i have to worry that my windshield will pop and i could be seriuosly injured or die if i'm in an accident ??? i think not. all because i bought suzuki. thanks, cindy baeyens. *ak

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
CAESCONDIDO92029HELLER SUZUKI(800) 427-3585
HIWAIPAHU96797WAIPHU AUTO COMPANY
ILLINCOLNWOOD60645GROSSINGER847674900
MOELLISVILLEBOMMARITO AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
NYHUNTINGTON11743INTEGRITY IMPORTS OF HUNTINGTON