The 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 5 recalls, the most serious being a gear shift shaft that can break and leave the driver unable to change gears, raising the risk of a crash. This affects both automatic and manual transmission models.
A separate drivetrain concern involves the drive belt tensioner pulley, whose internal spring can break under repeated stress and allow the belt to slip off. If that happens, the alternator, water pump, air conditioning compressor, and power steering pump all lose drive, which can cause the engine to stall or force the driver to wrestle with suddenly heavy steering. There is also a passenger safety concern: the front passenger leather seat can shrink in high heat and humidity, causing the seat's occupant classification sensor mat to misread who is sitting there. In a crash, this can cause the passenger-side front airbag to deploy even when a child is in that seat, raising the risk of injury from the airbag itself.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger leather seat may shrink in high heat and humidity, causing the occupant sensor to fail to detect whether an adult or child is sitting there.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The gear shift rear shaft can break from repeated back-and-forth movement of the shifter lever, preventing gear changes and increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft with an improved part.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The gear shift rear shaft may break, which prevents you from changing gears.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt has a defective internal spring that can break from repeated stress. A broken spring allows the belt to slip or come off, affecting the alternator, water pump, air conditioner, and power steering.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the tension adjuster pulley with an improved part at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spring inside the drive belt tension adjuster pulley may break from stress, causing the belt to slip or come off. This can disable power steering, cause engine overheating, and drain the battery.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the drive belt tension adjuster pulley with a properly manufactured one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
