2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara LX V6 from North America

Summary:

Love it!

Faults:

Air conditioning hose needed replacing.

New brakes and numerous batteries since I live in Arizona.

General Comments:

Love this car. I have not had any major repairs, very reliable. It goes anywhere. Has enough umph when going up hills.

On long trips road noise can be disturbing.

I have had the car for 10 years, and will be hard pressed to buy any 2014 SUVs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th May, 2014

2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4WD 2.0 petrol from Ecuador

Summary:

Funky machine!

Faults:

The plastic trim is in bad condition. Changed some caps and bulbs.

I don't have the manual and schedule shop book, so I'm trying to find what would be the next maintenance at 180k Km!

General Comments:

My wife uses this car, sometimes even using 4wd, and sometimes more than 600 Km per week. Comparing with the V6 of the previous car, it seems like this car has a trailer engaged, but it is not as thirsty as the Isuzu.

It may be quite early to write a review, but I'm quite nervous regarding a buying an 8 year old (169k Km on the clock) car!

The rest sounds, works and runs fine until today!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th January, 2013

30th Apr 2013, 09:03

A gas pump problem left my wife stranded on the road. We bought a new one.

After the oil change, I realized that this Grand Vitara "drinks" at least a liter of oil in a period of 4000 km!!

Brake pads of an alternative brand give a musical stop in every red-light! A change to the original type must be done.

The exhaust has been giving problems (a loud sound that should be fixed).

The paint is quickly getting to be in very bad shape.

We bought this car because a friend was moving to another country, but we are quite disappointed after 6 months, with the issues of this second-hand car!!

In reply to 30th Apr 2013, 09:03

7th Jun 2013, 19:12

Let's add the water pump! The original spare - in my opinion - is expensive.

What else is missing?

2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.5 V6 gas from North America

Summary:

Go anywhere fun

Faults:

The listed problems below all happened around the 85000 km mark.

- Water pump showed signs of failing (8-10 hrs of labor).

- Seal where drive shaft connects onto transfer case failed.

- Front hub assembly worn out.

- Rear wheel bearing worn out.

- Head gasket suspected of forming cracks.

I've been fortunate that I still have warranty on it, which covered all costs.

General Comments:

According to some forums and other GV owners, my problems seem to be isolated. The 4X4 is really good. I've yet to get it stuck or use 4L. The ride is loud but comfortable and confident. So far I'm happy with this truck minus the recent problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2009

2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 from North America

Summary:

Good for nothing

Faults:

The day after I got my new Grand Vitara I drove to my second home, 300 miles away. When I arrived there, there was a smell of burning fluid and smoke POURING out of the engine compartment. Fluid had leaked and sprayed all over the engine compartment, and even pooled in some places. After 2 visits and 29 days in the shop, and a new front end, my car is still smoking and smelling of burning fluid. The service dept. tells me that the fluid is still burning off from the previous leak despite my argument that it should be all burned off by now, since I've had it back for a week and a half.

General Comments:

Suzuki's response to my certified letter of complaint was a telephone call telling me that they would contact the service manager. Great. Thanks. Also, they asked if I had used the car in four wheel drive - as if using the 4WD would cause repeated the front axle to have so much play that it keeps breaking axle seals.

While the warranty covered the daily cost of a rental vehicle, it did not however cover the 7.75% tax. This isn't such a big deal on a $40 per day rental rate for a couple days. It IS a big deal thirty days later, after a $75 bill that I had to foot. (Not to mention the gas driving back and forth to the service dept. repeatedly, the inconvenience of making a 100 mile round trip to the shop, and the loss of that "new car piece of mind". I bought the car so I wouldn't have to worry about reliability issues.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th November, 2004

30th Dec 2007, 03:46

Just to follow up...

It is now over three years later and after a major battle with the manufacturer (and THREE MORE new complete front ends - and my four wheel drive STILL doesn't work), I have finally qualified for the lemon law in my state.

Call me cheap, whatever. It was my frustration that kept me motivated to fight for fair compensation. (It was real bad when, during a blizzard, I realized that my "recently repaired" 4WD didn't work.)

An interesting side note: after being black-listed from every Suzuki dealer/service shop within a 250 mile radius, I finally got my car fixed during a week when the Suzuki service network was down. This is not a coincidence.

Also, apparently almost every dealer in my state has stopped selling Suzuki cars... they don't want the headache either.

28th May 2009, 14:05

The Suzuki paint fades badly. The car is a little underpowered. The alarm is malfunctioning. The rear lift-hatch leaks air and rain. The passenger front door does not seal properly either.