Problems with 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly loses complete engine power at highway speeds and vehicle speed rapidly drops to under 10 mph. engine runs very rough and there is no response when depressing accelerator pedal. must immediately pull over (if possible) as vehicle is not drivable. after waiting several minutes, engine operation returns to normal but power loss will usually reoccur anytime as quickly as within the next several minutes or as long as a day or two. engine power loss may last as little as a minute or two or for several minutes and check engine light comes on. *jb

Recall campaign for the suzuki recommended replacing the 4 oxygen sensors. *bf the 4-wheel drive gear would no longer shift, it was discovered years later that it was not assembled correctly. the consumer had emission problems. the consumer stated when he took the vehicle in for repairs for two problems, the vehicle came back with unrelated problems such as the brakes which the dealer stated needed to be adjusted, the front bumper was hanging off and was missing the securing bolts, the vehicle did not have any head lights, it was subsequently determined by an electrical repair specialist that the head light relay was internally damaged, the consumer stated the was also an unidentifiable fuel leak. *jb

The engine suddenly started making a loud noise as if the muffler was broken. a mechanic inspected the vehicle and indicated that the exhaust pipe was broken where it comes out from the engine. *jb mechanic indicz=ated that problem was very common for suzuki. *ak

While driving engine made loud rattling noise and failed.. aaa called to tow vehicle. upon inspection by independent mechanic determined timing chain failed. was mentioned that this was a common failure with this particular vehicle. *ak

Consumer states engine make rattling noise. dealer has inspected vehicle several times, and problem still recurring. *ak

The engine would not turn over, could not be jump started, and was towed to the dealership. the diagnosis was a dead cell battery at ~48,000 miles. two weeks later the engine would not turn over, but eventually did after a jump start. the following two weeks, when the key was turned to try and start the engine, all that happened was a clicking noise. jump starting was ineffective. it was towed again to the dealership. the diagnosis is engine siezure. the vehicle is four years old, with ~48,000 miles, and perfect service records. the dealer recommends replacing the entire engine in order for the vehicle to run again.

Rear main seal on engine begins to leak, dripping oil onto chassis crossmembers and exhaust pipes, leaving an oil burning smell. research has shown most owners encounter this problem with the 1999 grand vitara, and that suzuki has redesigned the rear main seal appropriately, in effect admitting that the original seal is defective.*ak

Vehicle when purchased from dealership-had a loud sound-we assumed that this was normal-the sales person attached a $1500 warranty on the vehicle as if it was a part of the deal-this vehicle was selected by the sales person we never saw the vehicle before the sale or one like it-we went along with the deal only because we needed a vehicle for our family-an they were willing to have it financed-and our credit was not terrific-now we know why they attached the warranty because of the bad engine-the vehical was so small for our family that we went to try to trade it in for a family van at a different dealership-the sales man told us that the vehicle should not be sounding this loud-he said that you should not hear the sound of the engine-thats when we took it back to the dealership-at first they said it would only take 2days for repairs-but now they are saying at least one week and that the whole engine must be taken apart-an that they were having problems with the timing chain-since they did not offer us a loaner we have to transportation-we thought that if you purchased a vehicle from a place like the ford dealership -who is well known! we wouldn't have to worry about being frauded but we guess we were wrong -the purchase of this vehicle has been a nightmare to our family-please notify us about what can be done-we can't afford to pay for a lemon from the ford dealership. no safety defect listed. *ak

Fuel odors/fume getting into vehicle while driving. dealer notified and unable to locate problem. feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.*ak

Consmer is calling to report complete engine failure four times since date of purchase. dealer has yet to be contacted. please provide further details.*ak

Differential unit has been replaced on two different occasions. it has been a month since last replacement, and a 3rd replacement is needed along with a driveshaft replacement. dealer has recognized defect, but has not provided accurate remedy.*ak consumer states the vehicle experienced a howling/whistling noise from the rear at speeds between 55 and 65, after the first replacement there was heavy vibration throughout the entire vehicle, another replacement and still no remedy made, dealer has replaced the differential assembly and driveshaft. latch broke off of the air filter box, dealer replaced the filter box. consumer states the brake pedal squeaks when being released fast. *slc

Motor is blowing oil onto catalyc converter, causing car to smoke in engine compartment. took to dealer, and he replaced a gasket. but, problem has reoccurred. consumer is handicapped, and is afraid of not exiting a car fast enough in event of a fire. please and any furthur information.*ak