2009 Suzuki vitara air conditioner compressor has failed upon 2 year ownership. It is not covered under the warranty per Suzuki dealership. While driving at normal speed, a popping sound occurs and the air begins to blow hot air. The events leading up to this was the highbeam/lowbeam lights burn out within 3 months of ownership. Then pulley system fails. Then the compressor. This all takes…
2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Grand Vitara | 21 |
| 2007 Grand Vitara | 10 |
| 2008 Grand Vitara | 12 |
| 2009 Grand Vitara (this page) | 3 |
| 2010 Grand Vitara | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 lighting complaints filed for the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Suzuki Grand Vitara we track for lighting problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Both low beam headlights failed while driving at night. *tr
I have had to replace my headlight bulbs so many times over the last five years, I have lost count. Now I am being told even though my mechanic replaced the bulb again, that I should replace both headlight assemblies at a cost of $240 each to solve this problem. I have seen so many complaints about headlight bulbs for many model year grand vitaras. I think Suzuki should recall the 2007-2011…
Had lighting trouble with your 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 42,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Suzuki/Grand Vitara.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.