VehicleVerdict

1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 142 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.8 times the median Grand Vitara year — the 1999 model ranks #2 of 15 Grand Vitara years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (24), engine (20), and brakes (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

142

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Grand Vitara years?

Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted230 complaints1999: 142 complaints2000: 106 complaints2001: 56 complaints2002: 63 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 11 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 230 complaints2007: 86 complaints2008: 55 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 33 complaints2011: 11 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 6 complaints
Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Vitara years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2417%
Engine2014%
Brakes1813%
Transmission1410%
Airbags128%
Speed Control128%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)86%
Visibility & Wipers64%
Suspension43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Other43%
Steering43%
Seat Belts43%
Electrical System32%
Body & Structure32%
Latches & Locks11%
Seats11%

Does the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V452000BrakesOctober 5, 2005 · 801 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

04V427000Fuel SystemAugust 30, 2004 · 172,093 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

03V512000Speed ControlDecember 5, 2003 · 196,876 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

01V146000Fuel SystemApril 27, 2001 · 59,888 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE COULD INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.

Consequence

FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM UNION AND A NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

00E080000Tires & WheelsDecember 26, 2000 · 98 units

Defect

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: STEEL REPLACEMENT WHEELS, PART NO. 4310-665D21-27S, USED FOR SPARE PARTS ON 1999-2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA AND 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED WHEELS WERE PRODUCED FROM JULY 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2000. THE THICKNESS OF THE STEEL WHEEL INBOARD OF THE AREA WHERE THE WHEEL RIM IS WELDED TO THE WHEEL DISK IS LESS THAN THE DESIGN SPECIFICATION.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE WHEEL, GRADUAL LOSS OF AIR IN THE TIRE, AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED TO REMOVE ANY OF THESE AFFECTED WHEELS FROM THE STOCK INVENTORY AND RETURN TO AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR COMPANY. SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY ANY END USERS WHICH PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT WHEELS OF THE DEFECT AND TO RETURN THEIR WHEELS TO SUZUKI FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL 01V146000/ FUEL PIPE: FUEL HOSE. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT COMPONENT NEEDED TO CORRECT DEFECT WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 1, 2001 · crash

“2.5L V 6 HAS TWO EXHAUST COMING OFF OF IT, ONE ON THE LEFT AND ONE ON THE RIGHT. UNDER THE VEHICLE WHERE THEY JOINED THE TWO TOGETHER THEY ONLY USED FLEX HOSE,AND IT BURNED OUT AND CAUGHT FIRE, AFTER ONLY 30,000 MILES. THE PIECE IN QUESTION ALSO HOUSES A O2 SENSOR WITCH HAS SCREWED UP EMMISSIONS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · fire

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH ON INTERSTATE AND THERE WAS SNOW ON GROUND. ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BECAUSE OTHER VEHICLE HAD LOST CONTROL. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND TURNED WHEEL TO LEFT. TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER HYDROPLANED, AND VEHICLE HIT MERIDIAN STRIP HARD.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 13, 2000 · crash

“TRANSMISSION IS HARD TO SHIFT, AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY FOR OVER 20 MINUTES, TRANSMISSION STICKS IN 5TH GEAR, ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 10,000 MILES, PROBLEM WITH NEW TRANSMISSION AT 11,000 MILES, DEALER REPLACED TOWER ON TRANSMISSION, STILL HARD TO SHIFT, VEHICLE STALLS AND IS VERY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE, CAUSING IT TO ROLL OVER. DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK WHEN VEHICLE HIT SNOW, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM HAVING RECALL REPAIR MADE ON ACCELERATOR CABLE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 11, 2004 · crash

1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara — common questions

Is the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 142 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 15 Grand Vitara years. It is one of the Grand Vitara years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Grand Vitara problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (24 complaints), engine (20 complaints), brakes (18 complaints).

Does the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Suzuki Grand Vitara years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Vitara years to avoid are 2006, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2002, 2001. The cleanest record among Grand Vitara years belongs to 2005.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.