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Owner report · 1999 model year

1999 Suzuki Vitara

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Suspension, Wheels & Tires

Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 16 of 50 complaints (32%) mention it.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
50
Recall campaigns
5
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,600–$2,950
Combined MPG
21–24

Complaints by model year

  1. 501999
  2. 352000
  3. 272001

Where owners report problems

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (32%)
  2. Transmission & Drivetrain10 (20%)
  3. Engine8 (16%)
  4. Other6 (12%)
  5. Body, Seats & Latches4 (8%)
  6. Driver Assistance & Speed Control4 (8%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 1999: 6 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category199920002001vs. 1999 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)2,600–2,9502,600–2,9502,700–2,950
Combined MPG21–2421–2421–23
City / Highway MPG19–22 / 22–2619–22 / 22–2619–22 / 22–26
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)370–423370–423386–423
Complaints filed503527Not compared
Recalls issued511Not compared
Crash-involved complaints353Not compared
Fire-involved complaints101Not compared
Injuries reported233Not compared
Deaths reported000Not compared
Configurations compared666

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 1999 Suzuki Vitara have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Suzuki Vitara?

Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 16 of 50 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Suzuki Vitara get?

EPA rates it 21–24 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Suzuki Vitara?

EPA estimates $2,600–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (12)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd41.6LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD22 mpg (high)25 mpg23 mpg$2,700386 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd41.6LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD22 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)24 mpg (high)$2,600 (low)370 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd42.0LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD20 mpg23 mpg21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)423 g/mi (high)
Configuration 4Manual 5-spd42.0LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD20 mpg22 mpg (low)21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)423 g/mi (high)
Configuration 5Automatic 4-spd42.0LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD20 mpg23 mpg21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)423 g/mi (high)
Configuration 6Manual 5-spd42.0LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD19 mpg (low)23 mpg21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)423 g/mi (high)
Configuration 7Automatic 4-spd41.6L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD21 mpg24 mpg22 mpg$2,850404 g/mi
Configuration 8Manual 5-spd41.6L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD22 mpg (high)25 mpg23 mpg$2,700386 g/mi
Configuration 9Automatic 4-spd42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD20 mpg23 mpg21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)423 g/mi (high)
Configuration 10Manual 5-spd42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD20 mpg22 mpg (low)21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)423 g/mi (high)
Configuration 11Automatic 4-spd42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD20 mpg23 mpg21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)423 g/mi (high)
Configuration 12Manual 5-spd42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD19 mpg (low)23 mpg21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)423 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine80000
Transmission & Drivetrain100000
Fuel System30000
Electrical20100
Brakes20000
Steering31000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires160000
Airbags & Restraints21010
Driver Assistance & Speed Control41010
Body, Seats & Latches40000
Visibility & Lighting30000
Other60000

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 (5)

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

    Defect
    SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
    Consequence
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

    Campaign 99V273002 · Oct 15, 1999

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH. IF THE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY BE INOPERATIVE. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE, A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE LAMP-ACTUATING SWITCH MAY ALSO PREVENT SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
    Consequence
    IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS FOLLOWING CLOSELY, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

  • SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

    Campaign 99V155000 · Jun 28, 1999

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PORT INSTALLATION OF REAR STEREO SPEAKERS, THE FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS WERE REMOVED TO FACILITATE THE REAR SPEAKER INSTALLATION AND MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION AFTER INSTALLATION OF THE SPEAKERS.
    Consequence
    IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL RETORQUE BOTH OF THE FRONT SEAT BELT LOWER ANCHOR BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.

  • EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

    Campaign 99V154000 · Jun 28, 1999

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING PORT INSTALLATION OF REAR STEREO SPEAKERS, THE VEHICLES WIRING HARNESS COULD HAVE BEEN PINCHED BETWEEN THE REAR STEREO SPEAKER AND SPEAKER RETAINING PLATE.
    Consequence
    AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR DUE TO THE PINCHED WIRES.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITION/CONDITION OF THE REAR WIRING HARNESS AND REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS, IF NECESSARY.

  • STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

    Campaign 98V324002 · Feb 9, 1999

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE COUPLING THAT CONNECTS THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT TO THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS CRACKED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE STEERING SHAFTS TO SEPARATE.
    Consequence
    IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT COUPLING.