The most-reported Grand Vitara run is JS3TD62V6X4 (1999 builds) with 10 complaints, 6.3× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 25% of reports; 1999 is the worst model year at 3.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for Grand Vitara model years 1999–2013.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Suzuki Grand Vitara has 298 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every Grand Vitara complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JS3TD62V6X4•••••• | 1999 | 4 | — | |
| JS3TD62V1X4•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| JS3TD62V9Y4•••••• | 2000 | 1 | 1 | |
| JS3TD62V0X4•••••• | 1999 | 2 | — | |
| JS3TD62V3X4•••••• | 1999 | 2 | — | |
| JS3TD62V5Y4•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| JS3TD62V7X4•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| JS3TD62V9X4•••••• | 1999 | 1 | 1 | |
| JS3TD62VXX4•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| JS3TD62V8X4•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| JS3TD62V1Y4•••••• | 2000 | — | 1 | |
| JS3TD944064•••••• | 2006 | — | — |
Each of the other 286 Grand Vitara runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 15 Grand Vitara VINs so far, most often 2001, 2010, 2008 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Suzuki Grand Vitara the gap between build years is 3.1×: a 1999 car draws 3.1 complaints per run, a 2004 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2012 | 12 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 8 | 7 | — | |
| 2010 | 14 | 12 | — | |
| 2009 | 12 | 11 | — | |
| 2008 | 34 | 27 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 48 | 37 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 134 | 70 | 15 | |
| 2004 | 7 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2003 | 19 | 16 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 29 | 22 | 5 | |
| 2001 | 26 | 19 | 7 | |
| 2000 | 60 | 31 | 5 | |
| 1999 | 83 | 27 | 14 |
Heaviest year here is 1999 at 3.1 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Suzuki Grand Vitara owners report: Air Bags, 111 of 490 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 25 | 1 | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 2 | |
| Fuel System | 2 | 1 | |
| Gasoline | 2 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 10 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 16 recall campaigns on the Suzuki Grand Vitara; the 6 below cover build years 1999 to 2013. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 19V187000 | Seats | 2006–2013 |
| 05V452000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor | 1999–2005 |
| 13V405000 | Air Bags | 2006–2011 |
| 03V512000 | Vehicle Speed Control:cables | 1999–2004 |
| 17V085000 | Power Train:manual Transmission | 2009–2013 |
| 04V427000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1999–2003 |
19V187000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2006: 13 years on the road before the recall.
The Grand Vitara against its rivals
The Grand Vitara draws 1.6 complaints per production run; the Jeep Liberty 7.6. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 490 | 298 | 11.2% | |
| Jeep Liberty | 7,522 | 988 | 6.5% |
How serious were they
Of the 490 reports on the Suzuki Grand Vitara, 11.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Suzuki Grand Vitara | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 490 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 55 (11.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 9 (1.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 39 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 93% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Suzuki Grand Vitara share of that is 490 complaints over 298 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Suzuki Grand Vitara VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 490 NHTSA complaints from 298 Grand Vitara runs and 16 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Grand Vitara production run has the most complaints?
JS3TD62V6X4, a 1999 build, with 10 complaints, 4 of them after a crash. The typical Grand Vitara run has 1.6.
Which Grand Vitara years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1999 is heaviest at 3.1 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 1.
Does the Grand Vitara get more complaints than the Jeep Liberty?
No: 1.6 complaints per production run for the Grand Vitara against 7.6 for the Jeep Liberty.
How many Grand Vitara complaints involve a crash?
11.2% of 490 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 9 involved a fire.
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