2000 SUZUKI VITARA

1 recalls, 42 complaints - 12 TSBs

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Defect Description

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES... Read more

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

16,270 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: SABERSPORT

Complaint Statistics

42 total complaints 5 crashes 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SUSPENSION:FRONT	4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS	1
SUSPENSION	1

Incident date: Jul 8, 2010

MY SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER FAIL WHILE HITTING THE BRAKES ON AN OFFRAMP ON MY 2000 SUZUKI VITARA. MY WHOLE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VERY BADLY. THE PASSENGER NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL AND AFTER I INSPECTED IT, I FOUND THAT WHERE THE CONTROL ARM IS MOUNTED TO THE CROSSMEMBE... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 2010

Incident date: Mar 17, 2008

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON 3/18/08 AND AS I LEFT THE GAS STATION I HEARD THIS POP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR CUT OFF. LATER AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BELT POPPED. I WAS ALSO NOTIFIED THAT THIS WAS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE WITH THE VEHICLE AND SUZUKI KNEW OF T... Read more

Incident date: Mar 28, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUZUKI VITARA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND LOSE STEERING ABILITY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME ROTTED AT THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM THE CROSS MEMBER. THE MECHANIC RE... Read more

Incident date: Mar 4, 2007

AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DESPITE FRONTAL IMPACT AT ROUGHLY 550 MPH. *JB

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jun 6, 2006

SUZUKI IS AWARE OF LATENT DEFECTS CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN COVER SEALS THAT LEAK OIL AND WILL WORSEN OVER TIME. IT IS DOCUMENTED THAT THE LEAKS OCCUR WITH SUZUKI GRAND VITARAS FROM 1999-2001. MY GRAND VITARA IS ONE OF THOSE CARS WITH THE LATENT DEFECT. I TOOK IT TO A AUTHORIZED SUZUKI MECHANIC AS ... Read more

Incident date: Dec 30, 2005

MOTOR BLEW AT 94000 MILES RINGS WORE OUT AND POURED OIL. *JB

Incident date: Aug 1, 2005

1. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION PUT INTO PARK POSITION. KEY WITHDRAWN. KEY TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK FAULTY 2. PARK POSITION DID NOT HOLD AND VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN HILL CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND PROPERTY. 3. AUTOMOBILE BEING REPAIRED, TRANSMISSION IGNITION KEY INTERFACE BEING INVESTIGATED. ... Read more

Crash

Incident date: May 15, 2001

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY WIFE BROUGHT IT IN TO ROYAL SUZUKI TUCSON,, ARIZONA REPEATEDLY WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER KEPT TELLING HER IT WAS HER FAULT FOR NOT CLOSING GAS CAP TIGHTLY ENOUGH. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AT A CHARGE OF $50 , EXTENDED WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE, EACH TIME. I EV... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2003

AFTER PURCHASE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP AND MOTOR WENT OUT ON THE POWER WINDOWS. NEXT PROBLEM WAS A MAJOR OIL LEAK. SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THEN THAT I WOULD HAVE MORE PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD. REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP AT APPROXIMATELY 67,000 MILES. WAS TOLD THAT FRONT AND REAR OIL SE... Read more

Incident date: Sep 26, 2004

OWNER OF A 2000 SUZUKI VITARA 2.0L AND CAR IS NOT EVER 4 YEARS OLD YET BUT HAS 74,000 MILES AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALREADY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED! NOW THE CAR IS NOT GOING TO PASS SMOG THE FIRST YEAR IT IS REQUIRED TO PASS SMOG FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSES! WHAT KIND OF BULL IS THAT! JUST A WAY FOR C... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2003

THE BRAKES ON MY 2000 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. THEY WERE REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2003 3 TIMES WITHIN 2 MONTHS BECAUSE THEY SQUEAK AND MAKE GRINDING NOISES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY SERVICE PEOPLE THAT THEY CONTACTED SUZUKI DIRECTLY AND WERE TOLD TO PUT ON SPECIAL NO SQU... Read more

WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE, AND VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN INTO A 15 FEET EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

Crash

Incident date: Oct 15, 2003

REAR MAIN SEAL IN THE V-6 ENGINE FAILED AND SPRAYED OIL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. SMELLED LIKE IT COULD CATCH FIRE WITH THE OIL OPEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *LA

Incident date: Oct 8, 1999

MY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE A 200 SUZUKI VITARA, AND WITHIN THE FIRST MONTHS I NOTICED IT WASN'T SHIFTING JUST RIGHT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL. RIGHT AWAY ALSO I NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING OIL AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE DEALERSHIP GA... Read more

Incident date: Aug 5, 2003

DEFECTS AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER DAMAGE BEHIND FAN ASSEMBLY. FAILURE OF CONDENSER IN LOCATION CONSISTENT WITH OTHER FAILURES BY OTHER OWNERS. PULL TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING EVEN AFTER ALIGHNMENT, SIMILAR TO OTHER OWNER COMPLAINTS. VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING AND PREMATURE WEAR, SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER... Read more

Incident date: Aug 5, 2003

Incident date: Jun 15, 2002

CONDENSER FINS BEHIND ELECTRIC FAN ARE BENT/SMASHED; FAN BLADES APPEAR NOT TO HAVE CONTACTED FIN AREA; NO FRONT END DAMAGE; FINS OUTSIDE FAN AREA APPEAR IN NEW CONDITION; ONE OTHER VEHICLE AT DEALER CHECKED AND HAS SIMILAR DAMAGE; APPEARS TO BE DESIGN PROBLEM

Incident date: Jun 1, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW WILL VIBRATE HARD, AND THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Incident date: May 29, 2002

THE LOWER CONNECTOR ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SNAPPED IN HALF CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. AUTO BODY SHOP AND INSURANCE COMPANY BOTH FEEL THAT IT WAS INSTALLED WRONG WHICH IS WHY IN SNAPPED. CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND SUZUKI WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY CLAMING THAT IT IS NOT A MECHANICAL ERROR. I H... Read more

Incident date: May 29, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 TO 20 MPH FELT A THUMP AND PULLED OVER, GOT OUT. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS ALMOST OFF VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, MECHANIC STATED THAT LOWER CONTROL ARM THAT HOLDS WHEEL IN PLACE SNAPPED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMAT... Read more

Incident date: Sep 29, 2000

I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIME AND THE BELTS WERE CHANGED 3 TIMES. I AM STARTING TO EXPIERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK

Incident date: May 7, 2002

POWER ASSIST BOOSTER FAILED WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AND CAUSED BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Jan 12, 2002

DEALER SAID THE DRIVE TRAIN WAS OUT OF BALANCE. ON ONE OCCASION WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE BADLY, WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS PULLING WILDLY TO BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND THE WHEEL ITSELF WAS LEANING TOWARD THE RIGHT. CONTINUED TO RIDE OVER A BRIDGE AND ALMOST AT THE END THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND THE CAR... Read more

Incident date: Sep 15, 2001

THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE SPRINGS SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THANK GOD IT WAS NOT AT HIGHWAY SPEED! TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WITH NO PARTS TOOK TWO MONTHS UNDRIVABLE FOR REPAIR. NEXT FAILURE WAS A MAJOR OIL LEAK, DEALER SAYS CAN'T TELL WHERE ITS COMING FROM AS OI... Read more

Incident date: Sep 15, 2001

Incident date: Oct 23, 2001

BRAKES WENT UP ONLY AFTER PUTTING 11032 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, BRAKES PADS ON THE VEHICLE WERE NOT THE PROPER PADS FOR THE VEHICLE.

Incident date: Nov 6, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD COME TO A STOP. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS INJURED. *AK *JB

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: May 8, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH STEERING WHEEL WILL START VIBRATING. CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE OFF ROAD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER HAD REPLACED TIRES TO CORRECT DEFFECT, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

Incident date: Apr 18, 2000

THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WAS THE 3RD GEAR SHAFT GRINDING, THEN TRANSMISSION, HEATER DIDN'T WORK, TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK HALF THE TIME, AND STEERING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Incident date: Apr 18, 2000

THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WAS THE 3RD GEAR SHAFT GRINDING, THEN TRANSMISSION, HEATER DIDN'T WORK, TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK HALF THE TIME, AND STEERING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Incident date: Apr 18, 2000

THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WAS THE 3RD GEAR SHAFT GRINDING, THEN TRANSMISSION, HEATER DIDN'T WORK, TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK HALF THE TIME, AND STEERING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Incident date: Apr 18, 2000

THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WAS THE 3RD GEAR SHAFT GRINDING, THEN TRANSMISSION, HEATER DIDN'T WORK, TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK HALF THE TIME, AND STEERING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM DEALERSHIP VEHICLE PULLED TO RIGHT. DEALER ALIGNED VEHICLE, BUT IT STILL PULLS TO RIGHT. *AK

Incident date: Oct 22, 2000

WHEN SITTING IDLE IN OR OUT OF GEAR ENGINE SHAKES LIKE IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF.*AK

SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DEVELOPED SEVERE VIBRATION PRESUMED FROM TRANSMISSION LASTING APPROX. 10 MILES, AFTERWHICH VEHICLE RESUMED SOMEWHAT NORMAL PERFORMANCE. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. IT IS NOW 2,000 MILES LATER AND VEHICLE CONSTANTLY VIBRATES AND WORSENS AS SPE... Read more

Incident date: Apr 10, 2000

SUV HAS A VIBRATION THAT DEALER AND SUZUKI REFUSES TO FIX OR GIVE OUR MONEY BACK!

Incident date: May 26, 2000

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT, AND DRIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM. *AK *ML

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 15, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH FRONT END VIBRATION COMMENCING AT 45 MPH OR UP. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Incident date: Mar 1, 2000

EXTERIOR PAINT IS CHIPPING OF ALL OVER THE LOWER PORTOIN OF THE CAR.MINOR CONTACT WITH THE PAINT CAUSES SCRATCHES OR CHIPPING.THERE IS NOT ANY CHIP RESISTENT MATERIAL UNDER THE PAINT ALONG THE LOWER ROCKER PANELS OF THE CAR.THE BOTTOM PART OF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED RIGHT NOW BEFORE ANY RUSTIN... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2000

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE PULLED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. *AK

Technical Service Bulletins, 2000 SUZUKI VITARA

12 manufacturer communications from 10 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
105500 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT	2
020000 SUSPENSION	2
111000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY	1
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1
350000 EQUIPMENT	1
160000 STRUCTURE	1

020000 SUSPENSION

Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.

160000 STRUCTURE

Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.

020000 SUSPENSION

This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball

350000 EQUIPMENT

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE FOR RESEALING FRONT TIMING CHAIN COVER. *MR

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL LEVEL READS AT LOW MARK ON OIL LEVEL DIP STICK. 1999 - 2003 VITARA/GRAND VITARA/XL-7. *TT

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE, B1026 FLOW TABLE. SERVICE MANUAL UDPATE CORRECTION. *TT

105500 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

A CONDITION MAY EXIST ON CERTAIN MODELS WHERE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING MAY LEAK FLUID FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OIL SEAL. *TT

111000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE REVISED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES UNDER WARRANTY. *TT

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MODIFICATION OF MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE AND THE BEARING SELECTION PROCEDURE. 1999-2005 SUZUKI VITARA SQ420/SQ625L, GRAND VITARA SQ625W, AND XL-7 JA627 *SC

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MODIFICATION OF MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE AND THE BEARING SELECTION PROCEDURE. *TT

105500 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL OIL SEAL REPLACEMENT. *KB

SUZUKI VITARA - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the SUZUKI VITARA across all model years (1999, 2004).

8 Total Recalls

148 Total Complaints

0 Investigations

11 Reported Crashes

2 Reported Fires

0 Reported Deaths

SUZUKI VITARA - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2004	1	1	View
2003	0	1	View
2002	0	1	View
2001	1	40	View
2000 (current)	1	42
1999	5	63	View

Other SUZUKI Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
KIZASHI	86	108	View
GRAND VITARA	63	879	View
GSX1300R	42	45	View
GSX-R1000	25	61	View
SX4	24	427	View
GSX-R750	21	65	View
DL1000	20	39	View
FORENZA	18	1,360	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2000 SUZUKI VITARA

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 2000 SUZUKI VITARA

Most Affected Components

SUZUKI VITARA - All Years Overview

SUZUKI VITARA - Year by Year

Other SUZUKI Models