ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, DUE TO IMPROPER SHAPE OF THE CLIP, THE RETAINING CLIP THAT KEEPS THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE ATTACHED TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAN CONTACT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HOUSING IF EXCESSIVE LATERAL FORCE IS APPLIED WHEN SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR.
Safety risk
REPEATED SHIFTING IN THIS MANNER CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE RETAINING CLIP TO BREAK. IF THE RETAINING CLIP BREAKS, THE SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE SHIFT LEVER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION GEARS.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP WITH A CLIP THAT HAS A DIFFERENT SHAPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AMERICAN SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
CERTAIN PASSENGER (111 MY 2002 ESTEEM, 777 MY 2002 AERIO, 2,368 MY 2003 AERIO) AND SPORT UTILITY (324 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA, 274 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA, 684 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA XL-7, AND 781 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7) VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT APPLIED DURING THE SECOND-STAGE PAINTING PROCESS AND THE PAINT APPLIED DURING FINAL-STAGE PAINTING.
Safety risk
IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Wheels: rim
5
14,250 mi
Power train: manual transmission
4
54,400 mi
Electrical system
2
22,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
2
73,000 mi
Power train: driveline
2
23,000 mi
Tires
2
—
Air bags: frontal
1
44,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition
1
22,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring
1
22,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)
1
—
Engine
1
15,000 mi
Equipment
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
22,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
1
10,586 mi
Power train
1
82,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
1
257 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
1
13,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly
1
1,194 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint
1
27,961 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
1
108,575 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
30,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc
1
30,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
1
58,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion
1
—
Structure
1
—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing
1
—
Unknown or other
1
61,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
1
170 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
1
16,000 mi
Wheels
1
65,000 mi
The 2002 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.