ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES CELSIUS

Aug 30, 2004 — Recall Campaign #04V427000

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, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 172,093 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

04V427000

Manufacturer:	Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
Recall date:	August 30, 2004
NHTSA Campaign #:	04V427000
Units affected:	172,093

Description:: 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, CAUSING FUEL LOSS AT THE FUEL PIPE/FUEL HOSE CONNECTION.
Consequeces:: FUEL LOSS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Corrective action:: 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 CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Notes:: SUZUKI RECALL NO. 99-ER.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 Complaints
THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE AT THE PROPER ELEVATION TO PRESS THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH ONE FOOT. BECAUSE IT IS REAR WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THE CAR SPEEDS UP WHEN THAT HAPPENS. THIS IS A TYPICAL ENGINEERING FLAW THAT HAPPENS WITH MANY VEHICLES ("HE THOUGHT HE WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE WHEN HE RAN INTO THE CROWD OF PEOPLE..."). THE FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES RELEASE WHEN THE REAR WHEELS WANT TO KEEP TURNING. WITH REGULAR BRAKES, ONE CAN STILL OVERCOME THE FORCE OF THE ENGINE AND STOP A CAR. I RAN INTO A HOUSE TRAILER BECAUSE OF THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE! THE PROBLEM CAN BE ENGINEERED OUT. I HAVE NOT YET FOUND A WAY TO DISSEMINATE THIS INFORMATION TO ANY NATIONAL SAFETY COMMITTEE. IT IS PROBABLY A COMMON PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WHO USE ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER FOOT ON THE GAS.;
2004 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 Complaints
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL HAS EMBEDDED LED LIGHTS, NO REPLACEABLE BULBS...FORCES ENTIRE CLUSTER REPLACEMENT FROM UNSALVAGEABLE OR USED/SALVAGED VEHICLES WITH NO GUARANTEE OF TRUE INTERNAL CONDITION TEMPORARILY OR LONG-TERM, LEADING TO MANY SAFETY & DYSFUNCTION ISSUES, INCLUDING "RIGGED" COMPONENTS SUCH AS FALSE MILEAGE, ETC. MY XL7 ODOMETER/TRIP METER BLACKED OUT AT 130K MILES, SHOULD LAST LIFETIME OF VEHICLE. SUZUKI NO LONGER MANUFACTURING THE CLUSTERS, TOO COST-PROHIBITIVE FOR OWNERS IF THEY WERE STILL MAKING THEM. MANY, MANY OWNERS ON FORUMS & ONLINE SITES COMPLAINING OF THIS ISSUE AND SEEKING HELP OR PARTS FROM OTHERS. I'VE PERSONALLY READ HUNDREDS. SUZUKI NEEDS TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY SO OWNERS CAN BE SAFE DRIVING & ASSURED OF NO DYSFUNCTION, AND PROTECTED FROM FURTHER DAMAGE RELATED TO MILEAGE TAMPERING, INCLUDING HIDDEN AND EXCESSIVELY AGED ENGINE/PARTS.;
2004 SUZUKI VITARA Complaints
DT: THE CALLER SAID VEHICLE WILL NOT START. HE HAS CRANKED IT UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL UNDER THE HOOD. IT STARTED DOING IT A FEW TIMES, AND NOW IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME. THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES. HE SAID THAT AFTER THE DEALER FIXED THE VEHICLE IT WILL START FOR AWHILE, BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK ,AND IT WILL NOT START. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK;