Suzuki Grand Vitara Recalls

The Suzuki Grand Vitara has 16 recalls spanning 1999 through 2013, with the most serious being a manual transmission gear shift shaft defect on 2009-2013 models where the shaft can break and leave the driver unable to change gears, raising the risk of a crash.

On 2009-2011 four-cylinder models, the drive belt tensioner pulley can fail, causing the belt to slip off. When that happens, the power steering pump loses drive and steering effort increases sharply, or the engine stalls. A separate but related issue on 2009 models involves an internal spring inside the drive belt tension adjuster that can break under repeated stress, allowing the belt to slip with similar results.

The 2006 model year carries several recalls of its own. The passenger seat occupant classification sensor can misread whether an adult or child is in the front seat, which can cause the passenger airbag to deploy in a crash when a child is present. This same sensor issue also affects 2007-2013 models, where high heat and humidity can cause leather seat material to shrink and interfere with the sensor mat's readings. On the steering side, the plastic outer portion of the power steering pump belt tensioner pulley on 2006 models can deteriorate from heat, shed pieces into the belt path, and cause the drive belt to come off, resulting in sudden loss of power steering. The 2006 model also has a shift interlock defect where the system can fail to prevent the shifter from being moved out of Park with the ignition key removed, allowing the vehicle to roll away.

Going back to 1999, certain vehicles can develop a fuel leak at the fuel pipe and hose connection during cold starts in temperatures below -25 degrees Celsius, with a fire risk if fuel contacts an ignition source. The 1999 model also has an accelerator cable casing cap that can crack over time, fraying the inner cable and affecting throttle response. The 2006 model year has an additional powertrain concern: a cracked rear differential bearing retainer can leak oil until the differential locks up and disables the vehicle. Two label compliance recalls affect the 1999 and 2001 model years but carry no safety consequence.