VehicleVerdict

2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 33 owner complaints run below the Grand Vitara median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (36% of the total).

33

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Grand Vitara years?

Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 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, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Vitara years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1236%
Electrical System824%
Lighting515%
Transmission39%
Engine26%
Seats26%
Other13%

Does the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

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

19V187000AirbagsMarch 7, 2019 · 31,302 units

Defect

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.

17V085000TransmissionFebruary 9, 2017 · 791 units

Defect

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being able to be changed.

Consequence

If the transmission cannot be shifted, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VZ.

13V405000AirbagsSeptember 6, 2013 · 189,901 units

Defect

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.

Consequence

Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.

Remedy

Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.

11V055000Electrical SystemJanuary 27, 2011 · 32,291 units

Defect

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES; MODEL YEAR 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 17, 2010; MODEL YEAR 2010 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES; AND 2011 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 14, 2010. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP, HAS AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED INTERNAL SPRING THAT CAN BREAK DUE TO REPEATED STRESS. IF THE SPRING BREAKS, THE DRIVE BELT WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND CAN SLIP, CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. OR THE DRIVE BELT COULD COME OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO INCREASE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALSO CAUSE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATION TO RISE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING, OR CAN CAUSE THE CHARGING LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH CAN LEAD TO BATTERY DISCHARGE AND ENGINE STALL.

Consequence

IF THE DRIVE BELT COMES OFF, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO USE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, OR THE ENGINE STALLS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.

10V392000Electrical SystemSeptember 1, 2010 · 20,692 units

Defect

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 SX4, 2010 GRAND VITARA, AND 2009 THROUGH 2010 EQUATOR VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750, 760, AND 765 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985. OWNERS MAY ALSO VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

THE VEHICLE IS CONFRONTING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS SECURITY SYSTEMS IN MOTION. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCE, WHICH DESERVES A DETAILED INVESTIGATION.. DUE TO THE INFORMATION WE HAVE RECEIVED, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF INVESTIGATIONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 15, 2020

ELECTRONIC STABILIZING SYSTEM ESP STOPPED WORKING, NEEDING SERVICED. BRAKE LIGHT ALWAYS ON WITH EPS LIGHT AS WELL. ON TOP OF A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FLOOR BOARDS SWELLS AND SOAKS WITH WATER IN FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER AND BACK PASSENGER SIDE FLOORS, ITS WORST WHEN A/C IS RUNNING... ITS LIKE A SPONGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 2011

I WAS LEAVING TO GO TO WORK AT 9:45 PM AND HEADING UP MY STREET WHEN MY LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GO TO WORK DUE TO NO WORKING LIGHTS AND HAD TO CALL OUT OF WORK. THIS IS NOT OK I HAVE A LITTLE ONE AND WORK RESPONSIBILITIES. ITS A 2010 VEHICLE AT 36941 MLES THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 30, 2013

ELECTRONIC STABILIZING SYSTEM ESP STOPPED WORKING, NEEDING SERVICED. BRAKE LIGHT ALWAYS ON WITH EPS LIGHT AS WELL. ON TOP OF A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FLOOR BOARDS SWELLS AND SOAKS WITH WATER IN FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER AND BACK PASSENGER SIDE FLOORS, ITS WORST WHEN A/C IS RUNNING... ITS LIKE A SPONGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 1, 2011

I OWN 2 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2010 & 2007 AND I GOT A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURE FOR TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR FIXING THE AIR BAG ISSUE RECALL CALLED DV SO I CHECKED AND THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER IS A ONE OUR DRIVE SO I CALLED THE MANUFACTURE AND ASKED FOR HELP BECAUSE ITS THEIR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · November 10, 2014

2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara — common questions

Is the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

It is close to typical for the Grand Vitara: 33 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2010 Grand Vitara problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (12 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints), lighting (5 complaints).

Does the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.