Summary
The Suzuki Grand Vitara has 16 recalls spanning 1999 through 2013, with the most serious recent issue being a gear shift rear shaft that can break on 2009-2013 models equipped with a manual transmission, leaving the driver unable to change gears and raising the risk of a crash.
On the safety equipment side, 2006-2013 models with leather front passenger seats have a passenger seat sensor that can misread the occupant due to the leather shrinking in heat and humidity, potentially deploying the airbag in front of a child in a crash. Earlier 2006 models have a related but separate passenger seat sensor issue where the system can fail to disable the airbag when a child is seated up front, with the same risk of airbag deployment into a small occupant during a crash.
For 2009-2011 models with four-cylinder engines, a drive belt tension adjuster pulley contains an internal spring that can break under repeated stress, allowing the belt to slip off. If the belt comes off, the driver loses power steering assist and the engine can stall. The 2006 model year has a similar drive belt pulley issue where the plastic outer portion of the pulley deteriorates from heat, shedding fragments that can knock the belt off and cause sudden loss of power steering. The 2006 model also has an ignition shift interlock that can stop working, allowing the shifter to move out of Park without the key in the ignition, which can let the vehicle roll away.
Going back to the 2006 model year on the drivetrain side, the rear differential left bearing retainer can crack and leak oil. If the differential runs low on oil long enough, the gears can lock up and disable the vehicle.
On 1999 models, moisture in the fuel pressure regulator can freeze at temperatures below -25 degrees Celsius, spiking fuel system pressure at startup and forcing fuel out at a hose connection where it can ignite. There is also a 1999-model accelerator cable issue where a plastic casing cap on the firewall can crack, causing the inner cable to fray over time. The two compliance label recalls cover 1999 and 2001 models and involve mislabeled or improperly formatted information placards on the vehicle.
