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2002 Suzuki Grand vitara xl-7

The Verdict

82 Smooth Ride

The 2002 Suzuki Grand vitara xl-7 has 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (30 complaints) and engine (20 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 82/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating.

This is the cleanest year on record. Nice pick.

82

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20023057205
2006521396189

By Category

Body
30
Engine
20
Electrical
7
Brakes
5
Transmission
5

By Severity

1
29
2
28
4
10

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

THE VEHICLE 28610-54G10-000 SUZUKI SOLENOID,SHIFT LOCK IS BAD. CAN NOT FIND PART. IF THEIR ARE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE I WOULD LIKE THEM FIXED IF POSSIBLE PLEASE. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND IS ALSO RUNNING LEAN THE COMPUTUER CODE READS LEAN AND BAD SOLENOIDS.

69mo ago
Engine 1

WHEN I PUSH ON GAS IT DOESN'T EXCELLERATE. MAKE A GRINDING NOISE ON LOWER DRIVERS SIDE OF ENGINE. I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING.

93mo ago
Engine 1

KEEP HAVING A OIL LEAK FROM THE VALUE COVER GASKET. I HAVE HAD IT FIX BEFORE AND NOW IT IS LEAKING AGAIN ON MY MOTOR AND IS SMOKING WHILE DRIVING IT. THE PLACE SAYS THEY ONLY GIVE ME A 1 YR WARRANTY . IT HAS COST ME OVER $500 BEFORE TO FIX AND NOW THE SAME . NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE A RECALL. FIRST DATE OF PROBLEM WAS 1/28/2013 AND NOW THE SAME PROBLEM.

117mo ago
Body 2

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FROM WORK AND I WAS ONLY GOING 40MPH AND MY CAR ALL OF SUDDEN STARTED SHAKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND FINALLY GOT CONTROL OF IT AND SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED AND NOTICED THE CROSS MEMBER WAS BROKE. IT WASN'T LIKE THAT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT I'M PAYING FOR AND CAN'T DRIVE IT CAUSE IT DANGEROUS. *TR

139mo ago
Body 2

THIS 2002 SUZUKI XL7 LIMITED STARTED TO HAVE TOUCHY STEERING AT 55 MPH AND UP. IT IS SO SENSITIVE THAT IT CAN EVEN CHANGE LANES. WHEN THE STEERING ACTS UP THE WHOLE VEHICLE VIBRATES. I HAD NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT AND CHECKED FOR ANY SLACK IN ANYTHING UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IT CHECKED OUT GOOD. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THE PEOPLE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND OTHER PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *TR

143mo ago
Electrical 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE CHEST AREA AND A SLIGHT CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

147mo ago
Engine 1

AC COMPRESSOR WENT OUT TWICE IN MY 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. ONCE IN AUGUST 2009 AND AGAIN IN MAY 2012. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE IT WAS A PRETTY HOT SUMMER. IT ASSUME IF THE CAR LAST ANOTHER FEW YEARS, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. HOW ANNOYING! ALSO, AFTER THE SUMMER MONTHS, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN I NEED TO TURN ON THE HEAT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I GOT THIS TESTED AND IT HAD TO DO WITH THE AC COMPRESSOR. THIS MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THE XL-7 COMPRESSOR IS DUAL. IT'S RUNS AC AND HEAT. POWER STEERING HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR THE PAST YEAR. I WOULD ADD POWER STEERING FLUID EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SO. BUT NOW IT'S PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I HAVE TO ADD FLUID EVERY OTHER DAY. FRONT AND BACK BUMPER IS DISPLAYING CORROSION. IT LOOKS LIKE THE METAL HINGES THAT HOLD UP THE BUMPERS ARE WEARING AND YOU CAN SEE IT. THIS CAR WAS NOT BUILT TO LAST. I FORESEE MANY MORE ISSUES. *TR

167mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AS THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER BEING BROKEN DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

172mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITH A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ADVISED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

179mo ago
Brakes 2

CONDENSATION FROM VEHICLES AIR CONDITIONING DRIPS ONTO THE INSULATION AROUND BRAKE LINE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT BRAKE LINE FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT. LIVING IN TEXAS THE VEHICLE RARELY IS TURNED ON WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE CONTINUED SATURATION, DRYING AND VIBRATION OF NORMAL DAY TO DAY USE CAUSED A LEAK IN ONE OF THE TWO BRAKE LINES LEADING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER OWNER REPORTED SPONGY FEELING AND LOSS OF BRAKE HOLDING STRENGTH WHILE IN STOPPED POSITION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED BOTH BRAKE LINES BEHIND PROTECTIVE INSULATION HAS SEVER OXIDATION CLOSEST TO THE ENDS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO AN ADAPTER. FIX THAT I EMPLOYED WAS TO BYPASS THE EXTENSION THAT RAN FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE, ENTERED THE INSULATED EXTENSION AND THEN ENTERED THE ADAPTER THEN INTO THE REAR BRAKE LINES. I WAS ABLE TO BYPASS ALL THE UNNEEDED JOINTS WITH 2 48 BRAKE LINES AND 2 COUPLINGS BOUGHT FROM LOCAL AUTO PARTS AND REROUTED LINE FROM DRIVER SIDE DOWN ACROSS REAR SIDE OF UNDERCARRIAGE THEN DIRECTLY INTO REAR BRAKE LINE. THE A/C NO LONGER DRIPS ONTO THE BRAKE LINE.

188mo ago
Engine 1

2002 SUZUKI XL7 A/C COMPRESSOR. WHILE DRIVING AT 65-70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP AND SNAPPED THE BELT CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO STOP WORKING AND THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. I PAID 1200 TO HAVE IT FIXED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. NOW THE NEW ONE IS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I LOOKED ON MESSAGE BOARDS AND SEE THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM ON THESE CARS FOR HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR

191mo ago
Electrical 2

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE DEFROST ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COST SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

200mo ago
Engine 2

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND WAS RELATED AFTER THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,630.

205mo ago
Body 1

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T 687 (NA) TIRES, SIZE P235/60R17. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE SET OF TIRES TWO YEARS AGO. CURRENTLY, THE TWO FRONT TIRES ARE DETERIORATING FROM THE INSIDE. THE REMAINING TREAD DEPTH WAS 1/8 AND 1/16. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,130.

207mo ago
Brakes 2

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DOWNHILL ON PAVED ROADS, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V452000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 6/18/09 *CN UPDATED 06/22/09*JB

208mo ago
Engine 2

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND. THE AIR CONDITIONING SHUT OFF AND SHE EXITED OFF THE INTERSTATE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO TURN PROPERLY. SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE TO A SERVICE STATION AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN THE POWER STEERING. SHE PURCHASED FLUID, BUT ANOTHER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BELT FAILED. THE CONTACT WENT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND A MECHANIC REPLACED THE BELT. SHE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $2,500. SHE WENT TO AN AUTO SERVICE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DISABLED THE AIR CONDITIONING MECHANISM BECAUSE IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SAFETY HAZARD, IF ACTIVATED. THE COMPRESSOR HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

209mo ago
Engine 1

I HAVE A 2002 SUZUKI XL-7 AND IN JAN 2005 NEWBURGH SUZUKI HAD TO REPLACE THE A/C COMPRESSOR BECAUSE LOCKED UP. VEH ONLY HAD 13,247 MILES ON IT. NOW AGAIN NOV 2008 VEH ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT COMPRESSOR IS STARTING TO LOCK UP AGAIN. *TR

214mo ago
Engine 1

NO EVENT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE OF THE COMPRESSOR IT JUST STARTED TO SQUEAL ONE DAY. THE FAILURE HAPPENED IN ABOUT MARCH IN MY SUZUKI XL-7 2002 WHEN I TRIED TO TURN ON THE HEAT AND THE FAN WOULD NOT PUMP OUT THE HEAT AND IT MADE A LOAD SQUEALING NOISE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE COMPRESSOR WENT OUT AND NOT ONLY DID THAT GO OUT BUT WHEN IT DIED IT CREATED METAL SHAVINGS WHICH WERE SUCKED INTO TWO OTHER PARTS. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS RARE THAT A COMPRESSOR SHOULD GO OUT AT 63,000 MILES AND IT COULD EFFECT THE POWER STEERING. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE PARTS REPLACED BECAUSE I AM 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND NEED HEAT FOR THE NEW BABY. THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. *TR

217mo ago
Brakes 2

I AM CHANGING MY FRONT BRAKES EVERY OTHER MONTH AND THE CALIPER HAS BEEN BAD NOW FOR A FEW MONTHS. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE EVER HAD TO DO THIS WITH. IN FACT A FEW WEEKS AFTER CHANGING THE BRAKES. THEY ARE GRINDING AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON OCCASIONALLY. THIS CANNOT BE NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO LOOK FOR RECALLS OR PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. OR IS THERE SOMEWHERE I NEED TO LOOK. I THOUGHT AT ONE TIME I SAW NOTICES ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. THANK YOU TAMI IVEY *TR

219mo ago
Body 2

I WAS TRAVELING ON I-10 EASTBOUND NEAR TALLAHASSEE, FL GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN MY CAR BRIEFLY SHOOK/VIBRATED. I LET OFF THE GAS PERPLEXED WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. MY CAR CAREENED TO THE LEFT AND WITH A DEATH GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL, I TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I MOVED BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE 2 LANES OF INTERSTATE AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE GAINING CONTROL. PARTS OF TIRE AND PLASTIC WERE FLYING BEHIND ME. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT MILE MARKER 193. IT TOOK A FEW MINUTES FOR ME TO GET MY COMPOSURE. I WAS CRYING, SHAKING AND VERY SCARED. WHEN I FELT CALM AND SAFE ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I SAW THAT MY TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED BUT WAS NOT EVEN FLAT. THE FORCE WAS SO GREAT, IT RIPPED OUT ALL MY TIRE GUARD, IT TORE MY FENDER, MY BUMPER WAS TOUCHING THE GROUND AND I COULD SEE PIECES OF DEBRIS ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR

228mo ago

67 total

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