General reliability and common problems

[pulse69]

Hi,

I was considering buying a Grand Vitara, 2003 model or later. Are there any major common problems with the V6 model? I'm going to be doing a bit of towing with a small camper trailer.

A friend just bought an X-trail and found that it was using a lot of oil necessitating an engine rebuild. I found out later that it is a common problem that they should have found out about earlier. I don't want to go through the same thing with my potential purchase.

Thanks in advance.

Marty

[Nicholsk]

Hi Marty,

I have a 2003 V6 Grand Vitara and I have owned it since day one. So far I feel that my Grand Vitara has been pretty good on reliability factor. The only problems I had with mine was a oil leak around the timing chain cover, which from what I hear is a common issue with the 2.5 L engine. I did get Suzuki to fix it under the 5/100km warranty, it was good because it’s a 1,500 dollar job. The A/C condenser just died on me at the 5 year mark, kind of a pricey part from Suzuki. Just this pass winter I lost my 4WD but I figured out the problem myself. Turn out to be a frayed wire at the vacuum pump which engages the front diff. I just solder it back at the connector and I was 4WD again. I do find parts a little pricey and sometimes hard to get other then from Suzuki. I recently notice a rattle almost sounds like a heat shield when I first start of with a cold engine, once it heats up I don’t hear it any more. Still have to figure out what causing that. Other then that it’s just been regular maintenance like fluid changes, brakes, tires, etc. Hope that helps.

Kevin

[pulse69]

Sounds like normal wear and tear. Any nightmare problems from anyone else?