Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 Suzuki Grand VitaraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Most complaints involve air bags (10) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Mar 2019
Owner complaints
20
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats

Remedy pending

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.

SeatsReported Mar 7, 2019NHTSA 19V187000

Power train: manual transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Feb 9, 2017NHTSA 17V085000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Sep 6, 2013NHTSA 13V405000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

20 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2013 – Dec 2020
  1. Air bags10
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Exterior lighting5
  4. Power train3
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  6. Seats2
  7. Engine1
  8. Engine and engine cooling1
  9. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Grand Vitara model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200154
200253
200329
20048
20051
2006161
200758
200842
200914
201020
201111
201213
20134
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

10 reports
“THE VEHICLE IS CONFRONTING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS SECURITY SYSTEMS IN MOTION. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCE, WHICH DESERVES A DETAILED INVESTIGATION.. DUE TO THE INFORMATION WE HAVE RECEIVED, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF INVESTIGATIONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED TO US. RECALLS MAY HAVE BEEN ORDERED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2020Air bagsODI 11385223

Electrical system

6 reports
“THE GPS WAS RECALLED ON THE NAVI SYSTEM. I HAVE A 765 NAVI SYSTEM AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE RECALL. I DO NOT KNOW WHO TO CONTACT. THE GPS GOT SO HOT THAT IT STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2020Electrical systemODI 11343709

Exterior lighting

5 reports
“THE HEAD LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT EVERY SIX MONTHS. I KEEP REPLACING, BUT THEN THE GO OUT AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2019Exterior lightingODI 11217646
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Grand Vitara
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192622$2,750404
Grand Vitara
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192521$2,850423
Grand Vitara 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192521$2,850423
Grand Vitara
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,000444
Grand Vitara 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192320$3,000444
Grand Vitara 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172319$3,150468
  • Grand Vitara
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,750/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Vitara
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Vitara 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Vitara
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Vitara 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Vitara 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,150/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 5825
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Grand Vitara questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 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.

What are the most common 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (10), electrical system (6), exterior lighting (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026