Owners love the ride itself, calling it sedan-like, and the Grand Vitara also proves nimble during confined-space driving in city streets and parking lots. Many owners appreciate the 'high-up' seating position and visibility that results, not to mention an all-around sense of capability and safety that comes from such a vehicle. Grand Vitara rides a proven, sturdy and long-lived body-on-frame chassis that's built in Japan, and the interiors tend to remain quiet and free of squeaks and rattles as they age.
Trouble is that as a whole, the Grand Vitara scores a little lower on the reliability scale than some of its counterparts. A good dealer check-up is in order if you're considering one. There aren't many little problems, but a few major ones to watch out for.
An occasional engine problem was identified in the first four years of the models life, involving a bad timing-cover gasket which could result in an oil leak. Pop the hood, find a flashlight, and look for signs of oil having run down the side of the engine or onto nearby parts. The gasket itself is only a few dollars- but the labor to install it will run well into the hundreds.
Spanning the same years is a problem with a timing chain tensioner which may fail. This can cause a nasty ticking sound, and may adversely affect the longevity of the engine's timing system. Again, the part is relatively inexpensive- though the labor will relieve owners of many hundreds of dollars.
On a test drive, start the engine and open the hood- listening for any excessive grinding or slapping sounds which are a definite sign of trouble. Because of the repair costs, looking for a newer Grand Vitara (2003 or later) may be a wise idea.
No other major issues were discovered, though occasional failure of the condenser fan motor in the air conditioning system was reported. Be sure your Grand Vitara blows ice-cold quickly when the air is turned on- or it could be a sign of an impending repair.
Recalls involved brakes, fuel pressure regulators and accelerator cables. The front brakes could crack and split under extreme driving conditions, rendering the vehicle incapable of stopping safely. The fuel-pressure regulator may freeze at cold temperatures, requiring replacement with a revised regulator and feed-hose. This could result in a no-start situation. Also, if the throttle pedal feels sticky hard or unresponsive, it may have cracked where it passes through the firewall, requiring repair.
When shopping, take your potential used model to its dealership and ask for a thorough inspection with special attention to the timing system. You'll also want to investigate the status of any recall-related work. If it all checks out and you need a competent go-anywhere SUV, Grand Vitara's balance of capability and economy are hard to match.
photo:Suzuki
Trouble is that as a whole, the Grand Vitara scores a little lower on the reliability scale than some of its counterparts. A good dealer check-up is in order if you're considering one. There aren't many little problems, but a few major ones to watch out for.
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An occasional engine problem was identified in the first four years of the models life, involving a bad timing-cover gasket which could result in an oil leak. Pop the hood, find a flashlight, and look for signs of oil having run down the side of the engine or onto nearby parts. The gasket itself is only a few dollars- but the labor to install it will run well into the hundreds.
Spanning the same years is a problem with a timing chain tensioner which may fail. This can cause a nasty ticking sound, and may adversely affect the longevity of the engine's timing system. Again, the part is relatively inexpensive- though the labor will relieve owners of many hundreds of dollars.
On a test drive, start the engine and open the hood- listening for any excessive grinding or slapping sounds which are a definite sign of trouble. Because of the repair costs, looking for a newer Grand Vitara (2003 or later) may be a wise idea.
No other major issues were discovered, though occasional failure of the condenser fan motor in the air conditioning system was reported. Be sure your Grand Vitara blows ice-cold quickly when the air is turned on- or it could be a sign of an impending repair.
Recalls involved brakes, fuel pressure regulators and accelerator cables. The front brakes could crack and split under extreme driving conditions, rendering the vehicle incapable of stopping safely. The fuel-pressure regulator may freeze at cold temperatures, requiring replacement with a revised regulator and feed-hose. This could result in a no-start situation. Also, if the throttle pedal feels sticky hard or unresponsive, it may have cracked where it passes through the firewall, requiring repair.
When shopping, take your potential used model to its dealership and ask for a thorough inspection with special attention to the timing system. You'll also want to investigate the status of any recall-related work. If it all checks out and you need a competent go-anywhere SUV, Grand Vitara's balance of capability and economy are hard to match.
photo:Suzuki
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