VehicleVerdict

2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 106 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.9 times the median Grand Vitara year — the 2000 model ranks #3 of 15 Grand Vitara years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (26), speed control (10), and brakes (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

106

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Grand Vitara years?

Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 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, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Vitara years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2625%
Speed Control109%
Engine98%
Brakes98%
Suspension88%
Tires & Wheels88%
Airbags66%
Transmission55%
Steering55%
Electrical System55%
Body & Structure44%
Seat Belts22%
Lighting22%
Child Seat22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Latches & Locks11%
Other11%

Does the 2000 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.

“WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING A FUEL SMELL WAS COMING THOUGH THE VENTS. THIS HAPPENED ONLY IN COLD WEATHER. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM WHILE IT WAS ON WARRANTY. AS SOON THE WARRANTY EXPIRED DEALER REPLACED, AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 29, 2004

“DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 22, 2005 · fire

“VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE 5 MINTUES AFTER CONSUMER PARKED IT, VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND, DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM AND SUZUKI STATED THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO FILE THIS WITH HIS INSURANCE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 18, 2000 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. *AK *CB *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 19, 2003 · crash

“ALL 4 TIRES ARE CUPPED, TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE AS PER BRIDGESTONE DEALER, SUSUKI DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE AND THEY (BRIDGESTONE AND SUSUKI KNOW OF IT). SEVERAL NEIGHBORS HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE, DIFFERENT YEAR ,1999 AND 2001 AND DONOT HAVE THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 1, 2001

2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara — common questions

Is the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 106 complaints put the 2000 model at #3 of 15 Grand Vitara years. It is one of the Grand Vitara years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Grand Vitara problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (26 complaints), speed control (10 complaints), brakes (9 complaints).

Does the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 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.