The brake and gas pedal are at the proper elevation to press them simultaneously with one foot. Because it is rear wheel drive and anti-lock brakes, the car speeds up when that happens. This is a typical engineering flaw that happens with many vehicles ("he thought he was stepping on the brake when he ran into the crowd of people..."). The front anti-lock brakes release when the rear wheels want to keep turning. With regular brakes, one can still overcome the force of the engine and stop a car. I ran into a house trailer because of the car accelerated when I stepped on the brake! The problem can be engineered out. I have not yet found a way to disseminate this information to any national safety committee. It is probably a common problem for people who use one foot on the brake and the other foot on the gas.
The worst 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes5
- Electrical4
- Acceleration3
- Body1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes5
- Electrical4
- Acceleration3
- Body1
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
- Visibility1
Recalls 3
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- On 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.
- Risk
- Fuel loss in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers 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.
Recall number 04V427000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- On 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.
- Risk
- Damage 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers 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.
Recall number 03V495000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- Certain 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, 'windshield mounting." the windshield may not be properly secured to the vehicle body due to insufficient adhesion between the paint applied during the second-stage painting process and the paint applied during final-stage painting.
- Risk
- If 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers 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.
Recall number 03V223000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 3
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts...
- This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile...
- Information regarding a problem with the mechanical part of the window regulator on cl vehicles after the...
What 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 barreling 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 wires 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 what they 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 wires 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.
Gas door hinges rust and break causing the door to fall off.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Consumer received a recall notice, and made 3 separate appointments. All were cancelled because parts were not available to service vehicle.
While driving 15 MPH accelerator pedal stuck. As a result, vehicle lost control and collided into a wall barrier. No injuries reported.
Compare the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7
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Questions about the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7
Is the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 reliable?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7, close to a typical Grand Vitara XL-7 model year.
What is the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 year score?
The 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 scores 72 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7?
Brakes, with 5 complaints. Next is electrical (4).
How many recalls does the 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 have?
3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, electrical system and visibility.
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