Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Suzuki Grand VitaraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints for the 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Most complaints involve power train (2) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Mar 2019
Owner complaints
4
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

4 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2017 – Dec 2018
  1. Power train2
  2. Air bags2
  3. Fuel/propulsion system1
  4. Electrical system1

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 Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

2 reports
“I SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2013 SUZUKI GRAND VIATARA FOR "POWER TRAIN RECALL". HOWEVER, WHEN I PUT MY VIN IN THE SYSTEM, IT SAYS IT CAN'T PULL IT UP. I AM ENTERING THE VIN CORRECTLY. WHAT DO I DO NEXT?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 26, 2018Power trainODI 11163443

Air bags

2 reports
“THE VITARA HAS RECALLS FOR BOTH MY ISSUES BUT ONLY UNTIL 2011 MINE IS 2013 AND HAS THE SAME ISSUES AS PREVIOUS MODELS DID. I MOVED FROM HOT WEATHER STATE TO COLD WEATHER AND WHEN WINTER ARRIVED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON AND NOW THE CAR TAKES VERY LONG TO START. APPARENTLY PREVIOUS MODELS HAD AIRBAG SENSORS ISSUES IN COLD WEATHER AND THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AS WELL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DID NOT DO RECALLS FOR MY MODEL AS WELL SINCE THESE ISSUES STARTED AS SOON AS WINTER ARRIVED. THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS ISSUES FOR A VEHICLE TO HAVE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2018Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11062995

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-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 Oct 29, 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
192522$2,900409
Grand Vitara
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050416
Grand Vitara 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192320$3,200431
  • Grand Vitara
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Vitara
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Vitara 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 7210Vehicle 7209
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

2013 Grand Vitara questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 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 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (2), air bags (2), fuel/propulsion system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026