Reliability
Suzuki

Grand Vitara (2000)

2000 · Compact SUV · 2 engines
84 NHTSA Complaints
5 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
8 Crash Reports
View all 5 generations of the Suzuki Grand Vitara → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

8.0 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar compact SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 32 powertrain complaints. A typical compact SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 48.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall32 complaints against about 48 for similar vehicles
8.0
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

2.5-V6-Gas

2.5L 6-cyl
44 complaints 44.0 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Suzuki Grand Vitara Unidentified Engine

39 complaints 39.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
9
other
9
engine
6
cooling
6
brakes
5
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Suzuki Grand Vitara, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel System: 25 owner complaints
Engine: 9 owner complaints
Cooling System: 9 owner complaints
Wheels & Tires: 8 owner complaints
Suspension: 6 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara

On a used 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the fuel system (25), the engine (9) and the cooling system (9). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara about the fuel system.
  2. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara about the engine.
  3. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara about the cooling system.
  4. Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara about the wheels and tires.
  5. Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 6 owner complaints on the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara about the suspension.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Recalls (5)

05V452000Oct 5, 2005serious
Service Brakes

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH WHEELS, THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS MAY BREAK UNDER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR IN CONDITIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS ON EXTREMELY STEEP PAVED DOWN-SLOPES WHILE CONTINUOUSLY APPLYING THE BRAKES.

04V427000Aug 30, 2004serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES CELSIUS, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. AS A RESULT, FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE MAY INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.

03V512000Dec 5, 2003serious
Vehicle Speed Control

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CASING CAP THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FIREWALL CAN CRACK DUE TO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO FORCES FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND INSUFFICIENT LONG-TERM DURABILITY OF THE PLASTIC CASING CAP. IF THE CASING CAP BECOMES CRACKED, MOVEMENT OF THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE THROUGH THE CAP CAN CAUSE THE INNER ACCELERATOR CABLE TO BECOME FRAYED.

01V146000Apr 27, 2001serious
Fuel System

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE COULD INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.

00E080000Dec 26, 2000cosmetic
Wheels

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: STEEL REPLACEMENT WHEELS, PART NO. 4310-665D21-27S, USED FOR SPARE PARTS ON 1999-2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA AND 2001 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED WHEELS WERE PRODUCED FROM JULY 30 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2000. THE THICKNESS OF THE STEEL WHEEL INBOARD OF THE AREA WHERE THE WHEEL RIM IS WELDED TO THE WHEEL DISK IS LESS THAN THE DESIGN SPECIFICATION.

Alternatives in Compact SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara complaints?

Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The systems they name most often are the fuel system, the engine and the cooling system.

Is the 2000-2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?

NHTSA has 84 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2000-2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the fuel system, the engine and the cooling system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Grand Vitara have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 84 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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