U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Suzuki GRAND VITARA XL-7 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

52,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 14 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 17 complaints (52.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	3	17.6%
Transmission and shifting	1	5.9%
Braking behavior	1	5.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags

Electrical System

Air Bags:Frontal

Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module

Equipment

Exterior Lighting

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Seats

Air Bags: 9; Electrical System: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Equipment: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004

2006

2007

2008

2011

2012

2013

2014

2016

2021

2004: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2021: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10183960 · 2007-03-01 (March 1, 2007)

WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR SUZUKI XL7 2004, THE PASSENGER DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BEGAN TO SHOW SOME SMOKE. SUDDENLY, FLAMES STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH WATER. WHEN THE PANAL WAS REMOVED, APPARENTLY THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE WIRING SYSTEM. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON, THE PANEL AND THE WIRING UP TO OUR KNOWLEDGE AND AFTER JUST A VISUAL INSPECTION. MY DAUGHTER SUFFERED AN ASMA ATTACK THAT EVENING DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 44,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10183960 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10230193 · 2008-06-06 (June 6, 2008)

I NOTICED WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE IT STARTED ROUGH AND THAT THERE WERE SOME WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BATTERY,ABS,AND THE 4X4 LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. AS I PROCEEDED TO MY DESTINATION WHICH WAS ABOUT 23 MILES,I NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WAS SHUTTING OFF AND ON, WHEN I PUT THE WINDOW DOWN THE RADIO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THAT WHEN I STARTED TO GET CONCERNED ESPECIALLY I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY. WHEN I GOT OFF THE EXRESSWAY I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL LIGHT GOT ON TO WHERE THE NEEDLE WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN ON EMPTY, JUST AS I WAS TURNING IN TO A SID…

Owner-reported narrative. 33 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230193 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10096919 · 2004-10-14 (October 14, 2004)

WHILE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION, IT WOULD DOWN SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096919 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

17 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

82.4%Usable mileage14 / 17 records

100.0%Valid incident date17 / 17 records

100.0%Valid filing date17 / 17 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates17 / 17 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Air Bags	120.0% ODI 10092555 · 39,977 mi THE CLOCK SPRING SWITCH FAILED. AS A RESULT, AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK Look up ODI 10092555 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10596451 · 230,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10596451 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	952.9% ODI 10226568 · 34,500 mi MAJOR SAFTY ISSUE, AIR BAG STOP WORKING AFTER 38,000 MI AND NO MANUFACTURER CONCERN. RELAY NOT WORKING?????AIR BAG DASH LIGHT. DASH CLOCK ALSO FLASHING????? *TR Look up ODI 10226568 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10525374 · 140,000 mi THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS LOOKS LIKE AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR SUZUKI OWNERS. THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY SUZUKI BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE LISTED AS A DEFECT REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. PLEASE DON'T LIMIT THE RECALL TO POST 2006 CARS IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO EARLIER YEARS AS WELL. *TR Look up ODI 10525374 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10158644 STARTED MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND THE BACK DOOR ARM REST WAS SMOKING. SHUT THE CAR OFF AND PUT OUT FIRE. CALLED THE SUZUKI SHOP AND THEY HAD ME DRIVE IT IN. MY ELECTRICAL WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THEY REPLACED FUSE, SWITCH, HANDLE AND WIRE COMP. ON THE REAR DOOR. $561.00 LATER I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. *NM Look up ODI 10158644 at NHTSA ↗	323.1% ODI 10065072 BASED ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT GETTING THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED, THE CONSUMER WANT THE WORK DONE OR ANOTHER SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. PH PROBLEMS WITH ALARM SYSTEM AS WELL AS VEHICLE CUTTING OFF AND LOSS OF CONTROL. MR Look up ODI 10065072 at NHTSA ↗	423.5% ODI 10226568 · 34,500 mi MAJOR SAFTY ISSUE, AIR BAG STOP WORKING AFTER 38,000 MI AND NO MANUFACTURER CONCERN. RELAY NOT WORKING?????AIR BAG DASH LIGHT. DASH CLOCK ALSO FLASHING????? *TR Look up ODI 10226568 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10118825 · 42,900 mi THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHILE MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN. OCCASIONALLY AFTER THE SOUND, THE STEERING CONTROL WOULD NOT BE THERE. THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO DEALER, WHO STATED THEY WORKED ON THE TRANSMISSION AND CHANGED THE OIL. Look up ODI 10118825 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 765625 TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THIS WAS INCONSISTANT BUT RECURRING PROBLEM WHICH USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP UNDER ACCELERATION AND NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR UNTIL STOPPED ACCELERATING. THIS CIRCUMSTANCE CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SERVICE ANALYST AND TECHNICIAN COULD NOT CONFIRM THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM , BU… Look up ODI 765625 at NHTSA ↗	15.9% ODI 10096919 WHILE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION, IT WOULD DOWN SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB Look up ODI 10096919 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	211.8% ODI 10161128 · 28,000 mi DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 81 (MILE MARKER 109-110) SEVERAL CARS, INCLUDING MYSELF, LOST CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES (HYDROPLANING) THROUGH THIS SECTION OF THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM AREA TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, POLICE AND TOW COMPANIES AND FROM TALKING TO ALL OF THEM PENN DOT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE LOCALS CALL IT 'DEAD MAN'S TRAP' OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THE TOWING COMPANY HAD ALREADY PICKED UP 5 CARS THAT AFTERNOON. THERE ARE NO GUARD RAILS AND I WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT, THROUGH THE WOODS AND HIT A TREE DE… Look up ODI 10161128 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	120.0% ODI 10104657 · 52,000 mi THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO CEASE. THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND CHAIN WAS $3600. THIS VEHICLE IS 38 MONTHS OLD WITH 52,000 MILES OF WEAR: 2001 SUZUKI XL7. *JB Look up ODI 10104657 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10118825 · 42,900 mi THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHILE MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN. OCCASIONALLY AFTER THE SOUND, THE STEERING CONTROL WOULD NOT BE THERE. THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO DEALER, WHO STATED THEY WORKED ON THE TRANSMISSION AND CHANGED THE OIL. Look up ODI 10118825 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys	240.0% ODI 10118718 MY WIFE'S 2001 SUZUKI XL-7 HAS MADE AN ENGINE NOISE SINCE SHE BOUGHT IT. WE HAD IT SERVICED AT 32,000 MILES FOR A RECALL AND NOTHING WAS SAID BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ( STILL UNDER WARRANTY ) AGAIN AT 64,000 PLUS WE HAD IT SERVICED AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TIMING BELT TESIONER PUT ON FOR AROUND $1300.00 DOLLARS. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID TO GO BY A DEALERSHIP AND GET THE DISTRICT MANAGER'S NUMBER TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I DID , AND I CALLED : ONLY TO BE TOTALLY DISRESP… Look up ODI 10118718 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	120.0% ODI 10193330 · 167,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS BURNING INSIDE THE GAS TANK, WHICH CAUSES NO CONNECTION TO THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE. SUZUKI ADVISED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE RECALL SERVICED FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 167,000. Look up ODI 10193330 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10157819 DAMAGES TO MY SUV BECAUSE THE COMPANY HAVEN'T SENT THE RECALLS FOR MY SUV TO REPLACE SOME PART OF THE SUV. *NM Look up ODI 10157819 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	215.4% ODI 10039280 · 1,300 mi THE BRAKES ON THE CAR FAILED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. THE HAND BRAKE WAS PULLED AND THE CAR WAS DIRECTED OUT OF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASS TO MAKE IT STOP. *JB THE DISTANCE WAS MEASURED AND IT WAS 75 FEET FROM THE POINT WHERE THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO THE POINT THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR WAS GOING 35-40 MPH. THE DRIVER FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO STOP BY PULLING THE HAND BREAK BUT THE CAR HIT THE BUMPER HIT THE REAR OF PICK UP TRUCK IN FRONT AND THE TOW HITCH OF THE PICK UP TRUCK C… Look up ODI 10039280 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	36,210–72,000 mi	52,500 mi	8	ODI 10226568 · 34,500 mi MAJOR SAFTY ISSUE, AIR BAG STOP WORKING AFTER 38,000 MI AND NO MANUFACTURER CONCERN. RELAY NOT WORKING?????AIR BAG DASH LIGHT. DASH CLOCK ALSO FLASHING????? TR Look up ODI 10226568 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10445203 · 45,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*BF UPDATED 02/29/12 Look up ODI 10445203 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10451013 · 15 mi "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPORTED TO SUZUKI MOTORS USA AS A SAFETY CONCERN SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SELLING BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SUZUKI MOTORS USA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AVAILABLE A NEW "ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT" FOR REPLACEMENT. SUZUKI MOTORS WILL NOT REPLACE THE BAD COMPONENT, IT IS REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE 1HR LABOR + $1500 PART COST FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36 MONTHS, 100K MILES). THE COST TO C… Look up ODI 10451013 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	33 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10226568 · 34,500 mi MAJOR SAFTY ISSUE, AIR BAG STOP WORKING AFTER 38,000 MI AND NO MANUFACTURER CONCERN. RELAY NOT WORKING?????AIR BAG DASH LIGHT. DASH CLOCK ALSO FLASHING????? *TR Look up ODI 10226568 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10230193 · 33 mi I NOTICED WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE IT STARTED ROUGH AND THAT THERE WERE SOME WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BATTERY,ABS,AND THE 4X4 LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. AS I PROCEEDED TO MY DESTINATION WHICH WAS ABOUT 23 MILES,I NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WAS SHUTTING OFF AND ON, WHEN I PUT THE WINDOW DOWN THE RADIO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THAT WHEN I STARTED TO GET CONCERNED ESPECIALLY I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY. WHEN I GOT OFF THE EXRESSWAY I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL LIGHT GOT ON TO WHERE THE NEEDLE WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN ON EMPTY, JUST AS I WAS TURNING IN TO A SID… Look up ODI 10230193 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10451013 · 15 mi "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPORTED TO SUZUKI MOTORS USA AS A SAFETY CONCERN SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SELLING BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SUZUKI MOTORS USA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AVAILABLE A NEW "ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT" FOR REPLACEMENT. SUZUKI MOTORS WILL NOT REPLACE THE BAD COMPONENT, IT IS REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE 1HR LABOR + $1500 PART COST FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36 MONTHS, 100K MILES). THE COST TO C… Look up ODI 10451013 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	Too few reports for a range	28,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10161128 · 28,000 mi DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 81 (MILE MARKER 109-110) SEVERAL CARS, INCLUDING MYSELF, LOST CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES (HYDROPLANING) THROUGH THIS SECTION OF THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM AREA TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, POLICE AND TOW COMPANIES AND FROM TALKING TO ALL OF THEM PENN DOT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE LOCALS CALL IT 'DEAD MAN'S TRAP' OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THE TOWING COMPANY HAD ALREADY PICKED UP 5 CARS THAT AFTERNOON. THERE ARE NO GUARD RAILS AND I WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT, THROUGH THE WOODS AND HIT A TREE DE… Look up ODI 10161128 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module	Too few reports for a range	92,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10164996 · 92,000 mi AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND RADIO FLASHING. TOOK CAR INTO DEALER, I WAS TOLD HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, ALREADY HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE IN EARLIER THE SAME DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT HAD GONE OUT. WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT AT A COST OF OVER $1000.00. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT THE SENOR. THIS IS A 2004 MODEL VEHICLE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE IS RARELY IF EVER USED. AN AIR BAG SENSOR GOING OUT WITHIN A YEAR AND WITH MORE THAN ONE CAR… Look up ODI 10164996 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment	Too few reports for a range	62,283 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10247907 · 62,283 mi THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT ON OUR 2004 SUZUKI XL-7. THIS OCCURRED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AT AROUND 60,000 MI. THE COMPRESSOR WAS BAD, $1500! NOW IT IS GOING AGAIN! I TALKED WITH A GUY AT THE REPAIR SHOP, ANOTHER XL-7 CUSTOMER, WHO SAID HE GETS ABOUT 10,000 MILES PER COMPRESSOR ON HIS, HE WAS IN FOR #4. I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM AT THE LEAST, AND A SCAM AT WORST CASE. *TR Look up ODI 10247907 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	130,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11389624 · 130,000 mi INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL HAS EMBEDDED LED LIGHTS, NO REPLACEABLE BULBS...FORCES ENTIRE CLUSTER REPLACEMENT FROM UNSALVAGEABLE OR USED/SALVAGED VEHICLES WITH NO GUARANTEE OF TRUE INTERNAL CONDITION TEMPORARILY OR LONG-TERM, LEADING TO MANY SAFETY & DYSFUNCTION ISSUES, INCLUDING "RIGGED" COMPONENTS SUCH AS FALSE MILEAGE, ETC. MY XL7 ODOMETER/TRIP METER BLACKED OUT AT 130K MILES, SHOULD LAST LIFETIME OF VEHICLE. SUZUKI NO LONGER MANUFACTURING THE CLUSTERS, TOO COST-PROHIBITIVE FOR OWNERS IF THEY WERE STILL MAKING THEM. MANY, MANY OWNERS ON FORUMS… Look up ODI 11389624 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	Too few reports for a range	15 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10451013 · 15 mi "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPORTED TO SUZUKI MOTORS USA AS A SAFETY CONCERN SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SELLING BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SUZUKI MOTORS USA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AVAILABLE A NEW "ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT" FOR REPLACEMENT. SUZUKI MOTORS WILL NOT REPLACE THE BAD COMPONENT, IT IS REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE 1HR LABOR + $1500 PART COST FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36 MONTHS, 100K MILES). THE COST TO C… Look up ODI 10451013 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2004: 3 complaints · 2005: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2004	1	2	3
2005	0	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2004	17	0	0
2005	2	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags	Electrical System	Air Bags:Frontal	Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module	Equipment	Exterior Lighting	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Seats
Air Bags	—	2 ODI 10226568 · 34,500 mi MAJOR SAFTY ISSUE, AIR BAG STOP WORKING AFTER 38,000 MI AND NO MANUFACTURER CONCERN. RELAY NOT WORKING?????AIR BAG DASH LIGHT. DASH CLOCK ALSO FLASHING????? *TR Look up ODI 10226568 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10451013 · 15 mi "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPORTED TO SUZUKI MOTORS USA AS A SAFETY CONCERN SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SELLING BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SUZUKI MOTORS USA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AVAILABLE A NEW "ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT" FOR REPLACEMENT. SUZUKI MOTORS WILL NOT REPLACE THE BAD COMPONENT, IT IS REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE 1HR LABOR + $1500 PART COST FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36 MONTHS, 100K MILES). THE COST TO C… Look up ODI 10451013 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10451013 · 15 mi "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPORTED TO SUZUKI MOTORS USA AS A SAFETY CONCERN SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SELLING BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SUZUKI MOTORS USA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AVAILABLE A NEW "ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT" FOR REPLACEMENT. SUZUKI MOTORS WILL NOT REPLACE THE BAD COMPONENT, IT IS REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE 1HR LABOR + $1500 PART COST FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36 MONTHS, 100K MILES). THE COST TO C… Look up ODI 10451013 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	2 ODI 10226568 · 34,500 mi MAJOR SAFTY ISSUE, AIR BAG STOP WORKING AFTER 38,000 MI AND NO MANUFACTURER CONCERN. RELAY NOT WORKING?????AIR BAG DASH LIGHT. DASH CLOCK ALSO FLASHING????? *TR Look up ODI 10226568 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10451013 · 15 mi "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPORTED TO SUZUKI MOTORS USA AS A SAFETY CONCERN SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SELLING BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SUZUKI MOTORS USA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AVAILABLE A NEW "ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT" FOR REPLACEMENT. SUZUKI MOTORS WILL NOT REPLACE THE BAD COMPONENT, IT IS REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE 1HR LABOR + $1500 PART COST FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36 MONTHS, 100K MILES). THE COST TO C… Look up ODI 10451013 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10402115 I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 SUZUKI XL MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAVE BEEN FOR 3 YR AND KNOW ONE CAN TELL ME WHY , MY CLOCK FLASHING AND DON'T KEEP TIME. I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY. WHEN CRACKING UP ENGINE IT SOUND LIKE IT IS GOING TO EXPLORE AND SOMETHING IT WILL START TO SMOKE. *TR Look up ODI 10402115 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10451013 · 15 mi "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPORTED TO SUZUKI MOTORS USA AS A SAFETY CONCERN SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SELLING BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SUZUKI MOTORS USA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AVAILABLE A NEW "ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT" FOR REPLACEMENT. SUZUKI MOTORS WILL NOT REPLACE THE BAD COMPONENT, IT IS REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE 1HR LABOR + $1500 PART COST FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36 MONTHS, 100K MILES). THE COST TO C… Look up ODI 10451013 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	0	1 ODI 10402115 I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 SUZUKI XL MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAVE BEEN FOR 3 YR AND KNOW ONE CAN TELL ME WHY , MY CLOCK FLASHING AND DON'T KEEP TIME. I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY. WHEN CRACKING UP ENGINE IT SOUND LIKE IT IS GOING TO EXPLORE AND SOMETHING IT WILL START TO SMOKE. *TR Look up ODI 10402115 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Equipment	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Exterior Lighting	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Seats	1 ODI 10451013 · 15 mi "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPORTED TO SUZUKI MOTORS USA AS A SAFETY CONCERN SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SELLING BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SUZUKI MOTORS USA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AVAILABLE A NEW "ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT" FOR REPLACEMENT. SUZUKI MOTORS WILL NOT REPLACE THE BAD COMPONENT, IT IS REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE 1HR LABOR + $1500 PART COST FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36 MONTHS, 100K MILES). THE COST TO C… Look up ODI 10451013 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10451013 · 15 mi "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES. THIS SYMPTOM WAS REPORTED TO SUZUKI MOTORS USA AS A SAFETY CONCERN SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SELLING BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. SUZUKI MOTORS USA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AVAILABLE A NEW "ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT" FOR REPLACEMENT. SUZUKI MOTORS WILL NOT REPLACE THE BAD COMPONENT, IT IS REQUIRING CUSTOMERS TO PAY THE 1HR LABOR + $1500 PART COST FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE PAST THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36 MONTHS, 100K MILES). THE COST TO C… Look up ODI 10451013 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

1 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 70,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10512509 · 70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A MECHANIC, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT…

Look up ODI 10512509 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b