1999 Suzuki Vitara

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #99V273002October 15, 19998,408 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

  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."

  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.

• NHTSA recall #99V154000June 28, 19991,273 vehicles affected

  equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #99V155000June 28, 19991,273 vehicles affected

  seat belts: front: anchorage

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #98V324002February 9, 199938 vehicles affected

  steering: steering wheel/handle bar

  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.

  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.

Other model years

• 1999
• 2000 35
• 2001 27