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2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 53 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara, and the engine, speed control and air bags draw the most[1][2][3][4]. The model year also has 5 recalls on file, including a sticking accelerator cable and a fuel leak that could cause a fire[5][6][7].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 8 mention a crash, 6 mention injuries, and none report a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
- Engine, 12 complaints[2]. 2 mention a crash[2]. In a sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe timing chain or tensioner trouble, from engine noise to a chain that broke while driving. A smaller group describe a burning or fume smell inside the vehicle[2].
- Speed control, 11 complaints[3]. 3 mention a crash, and the median mileage at failure is 37,150[3]. In the sample we read, owners describe waiting for recall appointments or parts for the accelerator cable repair. Others describe a pedal that stuck or a vehicle that kept accelerating[3].
- Air bags, 7 complaints[4]. 6 mention a crash and 4 mention injuries[4]. In the sample we read, several of the texts describe air bags that did not deploy, or that deployed only after impact[4].
- Brakes, 6 complaints[9]. 2 mention a crash[9]. In the sample we read, owners describe brakes that failed or did not stop the vehicle[9].
- Tires, 5 complaints[10]. None mention a crash or an injury[10].
- Power train, suspension and visibility, 4 complaints each[11][12][13]. Only 1 power train complaint mentions a crash[11]. The suspension and visibility complaints mention none[12][13].
The texts we read for each group are a small sample, so treat these themes as examples of what owners report, not as a count of how common a problem is.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[5].
Newest first:
- Front brake discs (05V452). On certain vehicles with 16-inch wheels[14], On certain vehicles with 16-inch wheels[14], the front brake discs can crack apart when the car is driven hard, such as long steep downhill stretches with the brakes held on. (Optionally for 04V427: 'water can freeze inside the fuel pressure regulator'.). The front brakes could stop working and the vehicle could pull to one side, which could cause a crash. Dealers replace the front discs. It covers 801 vehicles[14]. They are located on St. Thomas Island in the Virgin Islands[14].
- Fuel pressure regulator (04V427). In temperatures below -25 degrees Celsius[15], moisture can freeze in the fuel pressure regulator. Pressure can rise at start-up and fuel can leak at a pipe or hose connection, which could cause a fire if there is a spark nearby. Dealers replace the regulator and the fuel hose, and use an improved clamp. It covers 172,093 vehicles[15].
- Accelerator cable (03V512). The plastic cap on the accelerator cable casing can crack, and the inner cable can fray and stick. The driver could then have trouble controlling speed, which could cause a crash. Dealers replace the cable, including the casing cap. It covers 196,876 vehicles[6].
- Fuel pressure regulator (01V146). This is a similar freezing problem at temperatures below -25 degrees[7], with fuel loss and fire risk. Dealers fit a redesigned vacuum part on the intake manifold and a new fuel pressure regulator. It covers 59,888 vehicles[7].
- Tire information label (01V070). The tire label on some vehicles does not follow the required format and may not be permanently attached. The risk is that some owners may not fully understand it. Dealers install new labels and update the owner's manual. It covers 14,911 vehicles[16].
Each recall lists a dealer remedy. Before you buy, ask whether the work was done on the exact car, because we cannot tell that from our data.
Fuel economy
EPA lists eight versions of this model year. Combined ratings run from 16 to 18 MPG, and estimated annual fuel cost runs from $3,700 to $4,200[8][17]. The cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
| Version | Transmission | City / highway / combined MPG |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara, 2.5L 6-cyl, rear-wheel drive[8] | Automatic 4-spd | 17 / 19 / 18 |
| Grand Vitara, 2.5L 6-cyl, rear-wheel drive[18] | Manual 5-spd | 17 / 20 / 18 |
| Grand Vitara 4WD, 2.5L 6-cyl[19] | Automatic 4-spd | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| Grand Vitara 4WD, 2.5L 6-cyl[20] | Manual 5-spd | 17 / 20 / 18 |
| Grand Vitara XL7, 2.7L 6-cyl, rear-wheel drive[21] | Automatic 4-spd | 15 / 18 / 17 |
| Grand Vitara XL7, 2.7L 6-cyl, rear-wheel drive[22] | Manual 5-spd | 16 / 19 / 17 |
| Grand Vitara XL7 4WD, 2.7L 6-cyl[17] | Automatic 4-spd | 15 / 18 / 16 |
| Grand Vitara XL7 4WD, 2.7L 6-cyl[23] | Manual 5-spd | 16 / 19 / 17 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 4-door version of this model year as not rated[24].
Engine and size
The EPA listings show a 2.5L 6-cylinder engine and a 2.7L 6-cylinder engine[8][21]. These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. They are for the 4-door 4WD V6 version[25].
How 2001 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 108 | 4 |
| 2000 | 85 | 4 |
| 2001 | 53 | 5 |
| 2002 | 73 | 4 |
| 2003 | 42 | 5 |
| 2004 | 25 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 | 1 |
| 2006 | 161 | 6 |
| 2007 | 58 | 3 |
| 2008 | 42 | 2 |
| 2009 | 14 | 4 |
| 2010 | 20 | 5 |
| 2011 | 11 | 4 |
| 2012 | 13 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 | 2 |
NHTSA lists 15 model years of the Grand Vitara, from 1999 to 2013[5]. With 53 complaints, 2001 has fewer than 1999 (108), 2000 (85), 2002 (73), 2006 (161) and 2007 (58)[5]. Nine other years have fewer complaints than 2001[5].
On recalls, 2001 has 5, the same as 2003 and 2010[5]. Only 2006 has more, with 6[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read these as a rough comparison of the same model across years.
Should you buy a used 2001 Grand Vitara?
The record is mixed. The complaint count of 53 is the sixth-highest of the 15 model years[5]. The recalls, however, touch an accelerator cable, fuel leaks and fire risk, and all five list a dealer remedy[6][7][15][16][14]. Owners also describe engine timing trouble and air bags that did not deploy in a sample of complaints we read[2][4], and these are unverified reports, so they are not proof of how a particular car will behave. If you are looking at one, check that the recall work was done, have the engine checked, and expect fuel costs in the range of $3,700 to $4,200 a year at EPA's assumptions[8][17].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
- By NHTSA complaint count, the engine leads with 12, then speed control with 11, air bags with 7 and brakes with 6[2][3][4][9].
- Does the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls: brake discs, two fuel pressure regulator recalls, the accelerator cable and a tire label[5][14][15][6][7][16].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 53 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara (8 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,150). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Suzuki Grand Vitara model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V512, filed December 5, 2003: Vehicle Speed Control › Cables. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V146, filed April 27, 2001: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Grand Vitara, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 19 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 6 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 05V452, filed October 5, 2005: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V427, filed August 30, 2004: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V070, filed March 2, 2001: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Grand Vitara XL7 4WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Grand Vitara, 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Grand Vitara 4WD, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Grand Vitara 4WD, 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Grand Vitara XL7, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 18 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Grand Vitara XL7, 2.7L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Grand Vitara XL7 4WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND VITARA 4DR 4WD V6 JX/JLX/LTD: length 161 in, width 70 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 98 in, curb weight 3,197 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov