The 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 14 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 3 complaints, typically surfacing around 21,500 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Suzuki Grand Vitara owner complaints by model year
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Grand Vitara?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 21,500 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
lighting — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 42,000 mi · ~$250 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
airbags (~$1,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Grand Vitara· airbags
We own a 2009 Suzuki grand vitara. The passenger air bag light keeps coming on. We have taken to dealers 5 times in 4 months. We are told we need to watch how we sit in the seat, and do not recline the seat, there is nothing they can do since no codes show up on the computer.…
The power steering pump drive-belt tension adjustable pulley- has been compromised ... And effects my ac. While researching I found the 2006 - 2012 models were effected as well, causing a recall..vehicle was in park- and would not start.. Turned off ac and she finally turned…
While driving, noticed air conditioning would be cool then hot for about 3-5 minutes and cool again then hot again and repeat. Turned off the ac when I noticed the engine temperature indicator getting hotter. Took the car to a mechanic. He performed pressure test on cooling…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated that the anti-lock braking system warning light and the esp off warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dealer and inspected. The dealer stated that the anti-lock braking system was found defective.…
Had a problem with your 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
Fix: 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.
If the transmission cannot be shifted, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
Fix: 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.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
The 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 21,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 14 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 21,500 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 21,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 21,500 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Suzuki Grand Vitara has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 14 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Suzuki/Grand Vitara.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Suzuki. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
