VehicleVerdict

2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 56 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Grand Vitara year — the 2001 model ranks #6 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 speed control (9), engine (8), and airbags (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

56

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Grand Vitara years?

Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Vitara years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control916%
Engine814%
Airbags611%
Brakes59%
Visibility & Wipers47%
Suspension47%
Transmission47%
Fuel System35%
Tires & Wheels35%
Steering24%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)24%
Lighting24%
Electrical System24%
Seat Belts12%
Other12%

Does the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

6 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.

01V070000OtherMarch 2, 2001 · 14,911 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE PRESENTATION OF SOME OF THE INFORMATION ON THE TIRE INFORMATION LABEL DEVIATES FROM THE FORMAT SET FORTH IN THE STANDARD AND THE LABEL MAY NOT BE "PERMANENTLY AFFIXED" AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence

THE LABEL MAY NOT BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD BY SOME CUSTOMERS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW LABELS AS WELL AS AN UPDATE TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 28, 2016 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST TURNED OVER WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 8, 2013 · crash

“2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *MR CONSUMER WAS HIT ON THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO SLIDE AND SPIN. AFTER THE SPIN, VEHICLE HIT A WALL HEAD ON CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE ON THE FRONT END. THE AIRBAGS AND MODULE WHERE FULLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 27, 2004 · crash

“WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF THE CAR PORT VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLE, AND HIT A BRICK WALL. NO INJURIES REPORTED. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS .IN BOTH INCIDENTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 10, 2004 · crash

“BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 4 DAYS AGO. HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN DRIVETRAIN. IN FOR SERVICE TWICE AT DEALER (1ST TIME REPLACED TIRES-DID NOT CURE PROBLEM) IT IS NOW AT THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT (9/4/01) FOUND A TSB (01-04-17-002) FOR THE CHEVROLET TRACKER (SUZUKI TWIN) FOR POWER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara — common questions

Is the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 56 complaints put the 2001 model at #6 of 15 Grand Vitara years. It is one of the Grand Vitara years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Grand Vitara problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (9 complaints), engine (8 complaints), airbags (6 complaints).

Does the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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.