2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

In general an excellent 4x4 family car

Faults:

Both crankshaft oil seals have been replaced, both leaking. It's a fault on Peugeot diesel engines...

The secondary accelerator was replaced; it's just another fault with Peugeot electronics...

Injector pump replaced; these are renowned for being faulty...

Intercooler replaced, fins on - it's like a car radiator broke and oil leaked...

Water pump replaced; it was leaking at the pulley...

Car overheating when towing my 20foot 1250kg caravan... solved this overheating problem by removing and not replacing the thermostat.

Lately the back silencer cost me £170 to replace...

Oh yes, and the final problem that people have is loss of power... it's the EGR valve... easy fix just unbolt the thing and bin it... get a blanking plate installed and do a ECU reset. My car hasn't faltered once and it actually does go better too...

General Comments:

OK don't be disheartened by what I've written. All the parts for the 2.0TD Peugeot diesel engine in the Suzuki Grand Vitara, except for the silencer and oil seals, can be sourced from your local breaker...

Oh yes, this engine and all the electronics are in the Peugeot 2.0 HDi 206... 306... 406... 607...and some Citroen cars.. ie.. the Xantia, and are in plentiful supply, so go to the dealer as a last resort... find a good mechanic who has an ECU reset tool and you'll find the car is cheap to maintain, regardless what anyone says...

My car is a 2001 with 99100 miles on the clock. I spent £250 on a remap and it's now sitting with 136bhp; a lot better than the 107bhp. Plus it doesn't have that 'I'm gonna stall feel' when you're pulling out from a junction, and the drive is more relaxed; less gear changing with the extra power, and it pulls my caravan with ease. They are a good car, but you do need to stay on-top of them..

Hope I've been helpful. Best wishes to all...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th July, 2009

11th Oct 2009, 17:15

Hi.

I have an 02 Grand Vitara that has that "I'm gonna stall" feeling you speak of. I'd love to know what exactly your car felt like to drive before, what exactly you've done to improve it and what it's like now. I have been led to believe that the feeling you get that you spoke of is due to turbo lag, and that once the turbo is spinning fast enough, then that stall feeling is gone. My Jeep has that problem too, plus a different problem to yours in that the revs on the engine don't move proportional to the pedal movement, ie there is a delay of a second or so, which means the engine is not as responsive as I would hope. There's loads of power there, but I don't get it the instant you would expect to get it like in other diesels. I'd appreciate any feedback or opinions from anyone!

24th Aug 2014, 09:45

Nice to know about the remapping, but where do you go to get this done correctly? Or can you just use the chips that they sell on FleeBay?

Removing the ERG is an easy job.

2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara 5D 2.0 16v

Summary:

A Good reliable workhorse with a bit of comfort

Faults:

The only problem I have with the vehicle, occasionally the engine management light comes on for a few miles then goes off the next time you start it. Never managed to get to dealer with light on yet.

General Comments:

A very versatile 4x4,i tow a twin axle caravan with ease. Done 27000 miles now on original tyres,30mpg on average have had 34mpg on longer runs. Serviced it myself takes 2 hours a year. Only had to replace brake pads as yet at 26000 miles. Sill drives like new and cleans up well. good driving position. and roomy cargo area when seats are folded, easy to get in and out of. Sound system OK a/c & heater-system great. I would like to try the diesel version next time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th October, 2005

14th Jan 2006, 13:04

I bought mine used with 36000miles on it.

I bought it for off road in the deserts of California, USA

Does everything I want to do.

Gas mpg is only 22 at best. 18 mpg most of the time.