Recalls
4campaigns
2 air bag · 1 power train · 1 electrical
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
14filed
Owner reports, 2004–2013 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
22mpg combined
$2,969/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2.4 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual
6 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not checked against your VIN.
Passenger Seat Occupant Detection System may Fail
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
18.3% repairedof 31,302 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V187000
Listed for 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not checked against your VIN.
Gear Shift Rear Shaft may Break
Power train · manual transmission
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
31.6% repairedof 791 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V085000
Listed for 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not checked against your VIN.
Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat
Air bags
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
32.6% repairedof 189,901 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V405000
Listed for 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not checked against your VIN.
TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY
Electrical system · alternator/generator/regulator
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported32,291 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V055000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (14)
14 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 3 | 21.4% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 21.4% |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 21.4% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 21.4% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 21.4% |
| Engine | 2 | 14.3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 7.1% |
| Power train | 1 | 7.1% |
| Steering | 1 | 7.1% |
How 2009 compares with other Grand Vitara years
Best and worst Grand Vitara years →20048
20051
2006161
200758
200842
200914
201020
201111
201213
20134
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 8 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 |
| 2006 | 161 | 6 |
| 2007 | 58 | 3 |
| 2008 | 42 | 2 |
| 2009 | 14 | 4 |
| 2010 | 20 | 5 |
| 2011 | 11 | 4 |
| 2012 | 13 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 | 2 |
This year (2009)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
22
mpg combined
19
city
26
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 404 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2009 Grand Vitara for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara FAQ
How many recalls does the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 19V187000 (air bag), 17V085000 (power train), 13V405000 (air bag), 11V055000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (3), Electrical system (3), Electronic stability control (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 26 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2009 Grand Vitara compare with other years?
Among the 2004–2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara model years at least five years old, the 2005 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2006 the most (161). The 2009 drew 14. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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