2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 5 of 14 complaints (36%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 42 in 2008 to 14 in 2009.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2009 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300–3,450 | 3,300–3,450 | 2,850–3,300 | 2,850–3,300 | 2,850–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–19 | 18–19 | 19–22 | 19–22 | 20–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 21–22 | 16–17 / 21–22 | 17–19 / 23–26 | 17–19 / 23–26 | 19 / 23–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468–494 | 468–494 | 404–468 | 404–468 | 404–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 58 | 42 | 14 | 20 | 11 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Brakes: 5 of 14 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?
EPA rates it 19–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 19 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 19 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (low) | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
SEATS; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · Campaign 19V187000 · Mar 8, 2019
Defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION · Campaign 17V085000 · Feb 13, 2017
Defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being able to be changed.
Consequence: If the transmission cannot be shifted, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VZ.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 13V405000 · Sep 10, 2013
Defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
Consequence: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR · Campaign 11V055000 · Feb 2, 2011
Defect: SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES; MODEL YEAR 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 17, 2010; MODEL YEAR 2010 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES; AND 2011 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 14, 2010. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP, HAS AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED INTERNAL SPRING THAT CAN BREAK DUE TO REPEATED STRESS. IF THE SPRING BREAKS, THE DRIVE BELT WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND CAN SLIP, CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. OR THE DRIVE BELT COULD COME OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO INCREASE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALSO CAUSE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATION TO RISE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING, OR CAN CAUSE THE CHARGING LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH CAN LEAD TO BATTERY DISCHARGE AND ENGINE STALL.
Consequence: IF THE DRIVE BELT COMES OFF, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO USE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, OR THE ENGINE STALLS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.