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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1999–2004

Suzuki Vitara recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 115 owner complaints for the Suzuki Vitara, covering model years 1999 to 2004. The 1999 model year drew the most complaints (50), and Suspension is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Suzuki Vitara VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 115 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 6 model years with data (1999–2004)
  • most complaints: 1999 (50 for that model year)
  • top component: Suspension (27 complaints)
  • latest recall 04V427000 (reported Aug 30, 2004)
  • 11 complaints reporting a crash (9.6%)
  • 2 complaints reporting a fire (1.7%)
  • 8 complaints reporting an injury (7.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Suzuki Vitara complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1999 model year has the most complaints: 50 of 115, or 43.5%. Next come 2000 (35) and 2001 (27). The fewest are for 2004, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Suzuki Vitara owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1999–2004Column chart of 115 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 1999 with 50. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1999: 50 complaints5019992000: 35 complaints3520002001: 27 complaints2720012002: 1 complaint120022003: 1 complaint120032004: 1 complaint12004
Suzuki Vitara complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Suzuki Vitara complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1999503120
2000355030
2001273130
200210000
200310000
200410000
All model years11511280

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Suzuki Vitara components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Suspension is the component named most often, in 27 complaints (23.5% of all 115), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (26) and Power Train (18).

Components named most often in Suzuki Vitara complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Suzuki Vitara complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Suspension2723.5%
Engine and Engine Cooling2622.6%
Power Train1815.7%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic97.8%
Structure97.8%
Air Bags87.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline65.2%
Unknown or Other65.2%
Vehicle Speed Control65.2%
Equipment54.3%
Exterior Lighting54.3%
Electrical System43.5%
Steering43.5%
Tires43.5%
Interior Lighting21.7%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Suzuki Vitara recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Vitara, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 1999 to 2004. The 1999 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 5 recall campaigns
Suzuki Vitara recall campaigns covering each model year
1999: 4 campaigns2000: no campaigns2001: no campaigns2002: no campaigns2003: no campaigns2004: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 04V427000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    Model year 2004

    On certain passenger vehicles, under ambient temperatures below -25 degrees celsius, moisture can freeze in the fuel pressure regulator. As a result, fuel system pressure may increase at the time of engine start up, causing fuel loss at the fuel pipe/fuel hose connection.

    Consequence:
    Fuel loss in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the fuel pressure regulator, the fuel deliver hose and replace the hose clamp with an improved clamp. The recall began on September 29, 2004. Owners should contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 99V273002

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have an inoperative brake lamp-actuating switch. If the brake lamp-actuating switch does not function properly when the brake pedal is depressed, the brake lights may be inoperative. On vehicles equipped with automatic transaxle, a failure in the brake lamp-actuating switch may also prevent shifting out of park. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

    Consequence:
    If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion and another vehicle was following closely, a vehicle crash could occur.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch assembly.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 99V155000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: 2-door passenger vehicles. During port installation of rear stereo speakers, the front seat belt lower anchor bolts were removed to facilitate the rear speaker installation and may not have been torqued to specification after installation of the speakers.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, the seat belts may not properly restrain an occupant increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will retorque both of the front seat belt lower anchor bolts to specification.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 99V154000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/CD ETC.

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: 2-door passenger vehicles. During port installation of rear stereo speakers, the vehicles wiring harness could have been pinched between the rear stereo speaker and speaker retaining plate.

    Consequence:
    An electrical short could occur due to the pinched wires.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the position/condition of the rear wiring harness and repair the wiring harness, if necessary.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 98V324002

    Reported

    Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The coupling that connects the steering column shaft to the intermediate steering shaft is cracked. This could allow the steering shafts to separate.

    Consequence:
    If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of steering control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the steering shaft coupling.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Suzuki Vitara questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Suzuki Vitara have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Suzuki Vitara, covering model years 1999 to 2004. The most recent, 04V427000, was reported on August 30, 2004 and is filed under “Fuel system, gasoline”. The 1999 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Suzuki Vitara model year has the most complaints?

The 1999 model year, with 50 of the 115 complaints in NHTSA’s file (43.5%). The next are 2000 (35) and 2001 (27). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Suzuki Vitara complaint?

Suspension is the component named most often: 27 complaints, or 23.5% of all 115. Engine and Engine Cooling (26) and Power Train (18) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Suzuki Vitara?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Suzuki dealer.

How many Suzuki Vitara complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 115 complaints, 11 report a crash, 2 a fire, 8 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Suzuki models

8 models · most complaints first

The Suzuki models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Suzuki VIN decoder with every Suzuki model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Suzuki models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.