NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 67 owner complaints for the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (12) and vehicle speed control (12). The EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES CELSIUS, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. AS A RESULT, FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE MAY INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“AC COMPRESSOR WENT OUT TWICE IN MY 2002 SUZUKI XL-7. ONCE IN AUGUST 2009 AND AGAIN IN MAY 2012. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE IT WAS A PRETTY HOT SUMMER. IT ASSUME IF THE CAR LAST ANOTHER FEW YEARS, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. HOW ANNOYING! ALSO, AFTER THE SUMMER MONTHS, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN I NEED TO TURN ON THE HEAT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I GOT THIS TESTED AND IT HAD TO DO WITH THE AC COMPRESSOR. THIS MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THE XL-7 COMPRESSOR IS DUAL. IT'S RUNS AC AND HEAT. POWER STEERING HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR THE PAST YEAR. I WOULD ADD POWER STEERING FLUID EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SO. BUT NOW IT'S PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I HAVE TO ADD FLUID EVERY OTHER DAY. FRONT AND BACK BUMPER IS DISPLAYING CORROSION. IT LOOKS LIKE THE METAL HINGES THAT HOLD UP THE BUMPERS ARE WEARING AND YOU CAN SEE IT. THIS CAR WAS NOT BUILT TO LAST. I FORESEE MANY MORE ISSUES. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITH A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ADVISED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T 687 (NA) TIRES, SIZE P235/60R17. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE SET OF TIRES TWO YEARS AGO. CURRENTLY, THE TWO FRONT TIRES ARE DETERIORATING FROM THE INSIDE. THE REMAINING TREAD DEPTH WAS 1/8 AND 1/16. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,130.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara XL7 Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 17 | $3,550 | 523 |
| Grand Vitara XL7 Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,550 | 523 |
| Grand Vitara XL7 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,550 | 523 |
| Grand Vitara XL7 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,750 | 555 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (12), vehicle speed control (12), tires (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 at 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).