SuzukiGrand Vitara2001Overview/suzuki/grand-vitara/2001/base/

2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Grand Vitara.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a compact SUV featuring an automatic 4-speed transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined, positioning it squarely in the less fuel-efficient segment of its class for that era. With 54 owner complaints logged for this model year and six total recalls issued, the 2001 falls toward the middle of the model's complaint trajectory across its 1999-2013 production span—exceeding the record-low of just 1 complaint recorded in 2005 but remaining significantly below the peak of 160 complaints tallied in 2006, indicating that while this model year experienced moderate reliability concerns, it did not represent the most troubled period in the Grand Vitara's history.

Model year201320122008200720062004200320022001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque73 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/19/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length161.4 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase97.6 in
Curb weight3197 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 19 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 73 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Power Steering FluidATF

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts73 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.21 lbs
Oil Typers20
Oil Capacity4.05 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature179 °F

Brakes

Torque Caliper to BracketUPPER BOLT: 61.5, LOWER BOLT: 36.5 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.275; Rear: 0.275 specification
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.120
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.866 in
Rotor Finish0.787 μin
Drum Maximum Machining8.668 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Large hex head bolts:

138.5 ft. lbs.38.5 ft. lbs
261 ft. lbs.61 ft. lbs
3Loosen
438.5 ft. lbs.38.5 ft. lbs
576 ft. lbs.; Small hex head bolt: 7.576 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Large hex head bolts:

138.5 ft. lbs.38.5 ft. lbs
261 ft. lbs.61 ft. lbs
3Loosen
438.5 ft. lbs.38.5 ft. lbs
576 ft. lbs.; Small hex head bolt: 7.576 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miBrake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Shift Linkage (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Belt (replace) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Vehicle Wiring Harnesses (inspect)
At 90,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 90,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara sits in a clear downward trajectory for this generation, with 54 complaints and 6 recalls marking a notable improvement from 1999's 117 complaints and 2000's 88 complaints, while complaints continued falling to 53 in 2002 and 29 in 2003. However, 2001 carries the highest recall count of the 1999-2005 period at six, even as its complaint volume was lower than both preceding years, and it recorded 9 crash-related complaints alongside zero fire complaints. The top reported issues cluster in Vehicle Speed Control (9), Engine & Engine Cooling (8), Air Bags (5), and Tires (4), though the federal data does not specify root causes. Relative to the broader arc, 2001 predates the major 2006 spike of 160 complaints and 22 TSBs, placing it in a relatively calmer early-generation window before that later disruption. Given its substantially lower complaint volume than the launch years and the later 2006 peak, combined with ordinary TSB activity at 13, the 2001 model year appears to be a comparatively reasonable used-vehicle choice within this generation, provided any open recalls are verified and addressed.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
13
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
54
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 54 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control9
Engine & Engine Cooling8
Air Bags5
Tires4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Seat Belts3
Visibility3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V427000Fuel System, GasolineReported 30/08/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES CELSIUS, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. AS A RESULT, FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE MAY INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE FUEL DELIVER HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMP WITH AN IMPROVED CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD…

01V146000Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection SystemReported 27/04/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE COULD INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP, CAUSING FUEL… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM UNION AND A NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 13 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SUZ_0160082022-07-08SuspensionReminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension…
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
05022442004-01-01EquipmentREVISED REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT. *TT
0602244R22004-01-01Engine And Engine CoolingOIL LEAKING FROM LEFT FRONT OF ENGINE. *TT
09031432003-01-01Engine And Engine CoolingOIL LEVEL READS AT LOW MARK ON OIL LEVEL DIP STICK. 1999 - 2003 VITARA/GRAND VITARA/XL-7…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Grand Vitara. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2001 Grand Vitara have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Grand Vitara get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 19 highway / 18 combined mpg.