VehicleVerdict

2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Grand Vitara years?

Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 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, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Vitara years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags233%
Transmission233%
Electrical System117%
Fuel System117%

Does the 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SUZUKI DEL CARIBE IN CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS FAULTY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 30, 2017

“I SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2013 SUZUKI GRAND VIATARA FOR "POWER TRAIN RECALL". HOWEVER, WHEN I PUT MY VIN IN THE SYSTEM, IT SAYS IT CAN'T PULL IT UP. I AM ENTERING THE VIN CORRECTLY. WHAT DO I DO NEXT?”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 26, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SUZUKI DEL CARIBE IN CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS FAULTY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 30, 2017

“THE VITARA HAS RECALLS FOR BOTH MY ISSUES BUT ONLY UNTIL 2011 MINE IS 2013 AND HAS THE SAME ISSUES AS PREVIOUS MODELS DID. I MOVED FROM HOT WEATHER STATE TO COLD WEATHER AND WHEN WINTER ARRIVED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON AND NOW THE CAR TAKES VERY LONG TO START. APPARENTLY PREVIOUS MODELS HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 20, 2017

2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara — common questions

Is the 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 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.