Tl* the contact owned a 2002 suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated while making a right turn onto a bridge during inclement weather conditions from a stop sign, control of the vehicle was lost causing a crash into a cement wall. The contact could not gain control of the steering wheel and her body lunged forward onto the steering wheel as the seat belt did not retract. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. A police report was filed (number 19005490). The contact was taken by an ambulance to the emergency room for her multiple injuries. The contact sustained a broken sternum and multiple teeth, injured her chest wall, both left and right knees and neck. The contact stated she had suffered from pneumonia and was seeking treatment by a neurologist and seek medical attention for her left knee. The vehicle was not drivable and was totaled. The vehicle was towed to unknown lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
The worst 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration16
- Brakes10
- Fuel system5
- Seat belts5
- Suspension4
- Body3
- Tires3
- Transmission3
- Electrical2
- Engine2
- Airbags1
- Lights1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Recalls 4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 16-inch wheels, the front brake discs may break under severe driving conditions. The breakage can occur in conditions where the vehicle is driven on a regular basis on extremely steep paved down-slopes while continuously applying the brakes.
- Risk
- The front brakes may become inoperative and the vehicle may pull to one side. This could result in a crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front brake discs on these vehicles. The recall began on november 10, 2005. These vehicles are located on st. Thomas island (virgin islands). Owners may contact suzuki del caribe at 787‑622‑0600.
Recall number 05V452000 · Recall details
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
Vehicle speed control: cables
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable casing cap that is attached to the vehicle firewall can crack due to extended exposure to forces from the accelerator cable and insufficient long-term durability of the plastic casing cap. If the casing cap becomes cracked, movement of the inner accelerator cable through the cap can cause the inner accelerator cable to become frayed.
- Risk
- If the inner accelerator cable becomes frayed, it can stick during vehicle operation. In the case where an accelerator cable sticks, the driver could have difficulty controlling vehicle speed, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the accelerator cable, which includes the plastic casing cap. Owner notification began on january 5, 2004. Owners should contact suzuki at 1‑800‑934‑0934.
Recall number 03V512000 · 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 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara 12
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...
- Exhaust noise CAN be heard from under the vehicle
- Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure
- Modification of main bearing oil clearance and the bearing selection procedure
- Revised repair procedure for air conditioner compressor replacement
- Oil leaking from left front of engine
- Oil level reads at low mark on oil level dip stick
- Revised repair procedure for air conditioner evaporator freeze-up during use
- Oil weepage/seepage from left front of engine
2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | RWD | 17 | 19-20 | 18 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16-17 | 19-20 | 17-18 |
| 2.7L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 18-19 | 17 |
| 2.7L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15-16 | 18-19 | 16-17 |
What 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated that when at a stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle's engine would begin to rev with the RPM levels vigorously fluctuating. She noticed the problem on three different occasions since june 2009. She took the vehicle to the dealership and the dealer stated that they could not find a cause for the failures. She called the manufacturer and was instructed to take the vehicle to the dealership. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 59,330. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 suzuki grand vitara. Until recently, the contact has never used the tiger paw spare tire that came with the vehicle. While driving 60 MPH on a busy highway, a tire blew out with a loud pop. The driver was able to maneuver the vehicle off of the road to safety. The fender was damaged due to the tire and how it detached from the vehicle. The tire size was unknown. The failure and current mileages exceeded 200,000. Updated 01/14/09.
2002 suzuki vitara with transmission failure. Consumer states that the vehicle will go into reverse with no help from the driver and other times it will lock up and not go into reverse. She also states that it has caused damage to personal property. *kb the consumer stated when the third incident occurred, the vehicle locked up and would not go into reverse.
My 2002 suzuki grand vitara (limited 4wd) was involved in a single car accident when the cruise control was engaged on the highway at 55 MPH. It was a hilly stretch of highway near pittsville, mo and there was a light dusting of snow just starting to fall. The cruise control made the car jump into a lower gear when ascending a hill to keep it at 55 MPH. The RPM's jumped from about 2,000 to 5,000 when the car shifted into 3rd gear - which caused the tires to lose traction and I wrecked into 2 highway sign posts and skidded sideways about 50 yards into the center median. It was a miracle that I didn't roll over several times. It cost me $5,000 in collision damage to fix the car. The cruise control does this all the time still when even on moderate hills to keep up with the set MPH. It is a design flaw in my opinion. I have never had a car that needed to jump up to over 5,000 RPM's just to go 65 MPH and stay up with the set cruise speed. Thanks. Dws
I am writing about the seat belts in my 2002 suzuki grand vitara. The passenger seat belt frequently locks up and doesn't allow the person wearing it to move. I find it very annoying and potentially unsafe as whoever is in that seat usually ends up unbuckling it and not putting it back on. This also happens in the rear seats, although it isn't as much of a problem as I generally don't have rear passengers. I also have a problem with both front belts not retracting fully when we exit the vehicle, I checked with the dealer, but replacing the retractor was quite expensive and I feel this is a defect as seat belts should last longer then a few years.
Dt: the consumer stated the front driver's side seat belt buckle assembly broke. The seat belt will not lock . Has not taken the vehicle to a dealer. *ak updated 12/07/05.
While driving consumer 2002 grand vitara air compressor failed. *ts the consumer requested reimbursement.
Dt: the consumer stated there was a loud popping sound while driving at 35-40 MPH. This happened without warning and no previous problems. The consumer inspected the vehicle because she thought she may have run over something. There was no evidence of this, and she proceeded. Afterwards, the brakes were hard to apply. Again the popping noise became more prominent after applying brake pressure. The consumer inspected the vehicle again and discovered nothing at that time. The popping noise continued along with hard braking, and the vehicle was pulling to the right in which they stated that the rear brakes failed along with the struts. The entire hardware including the shoes and the drums were destroyed. The mechanic could not diagnose why this problem occurred. The vehicle was currently in the shop for repairs. *ak (11/23/05) the consumer was informed that the cables had broken loose and the rear brakes could self destruct.
At speed of 55 MPH on a highway, I was cut off by another vehicle. I had to apply my brakes quickly, and much to my shock, the car went sideways and slammed into a steel divider. This caused body damage to my vehicle to the entire passenger side - from front to back and everything in between. I have not had any repairs done as of yet.
Compare the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Other model years
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Questions about the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Is the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?
Owners have filed 47 complaints about the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2.4 times a typical Grand Vitara model year.
What is the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara year score?
The 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara scores 38 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara: 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 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Acceleration and speed control, with 16 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles. Next is brakes (10).
How many recalls does the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
4 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, fuel system, gasoline and vehicle speed control.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara acceleration?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V512000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Suzuki Grand Vitara have the most acceleration problems?
The Suzuki Grand Vitara model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2002 (16 complaints), 2003 (12 complaints) and 1999 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara range from 16 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 19-20 highway.
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