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2005 Suzuki XL-7

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 16 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

18 reports
170,000 miles · May 7, 2015
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

TRAFFIC CRASH WHERE THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED SEVERAL TIMES. ALL DAMAGE TO FRONT AND DRIVERS SIDE. BOTH PEOPLE EJECTED FROM A VEHICLE. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. VEHICLE ESTIMATED TO BE OVER 50 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10715065

106,000 miles · Mar 1, 2014
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THE CLOCK KEEP FLASHING, THEY SAYING IT IS SENSOR UNDER PASSENGER SEAT NEED TO REPLACE, THE IS SAFETY ISSUE, SUZUKI NEED TO DO RECALL ON ALL THESE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566594

36,000 miles · Sep 30, 2013
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. ...UPDATED 11-14-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS HAVE WORN OUT TWICE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT APPROXIMATELY 36,000 AND THEY WERE REPLACED. NOW AT 50,000, THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WHERE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTS INTO THE UNIT, THEY ARE BEING WORN THROUGH, AND THEY WILL NOT RETRACT OR EXTEND.

NHTSA ODI #10546272

122,000 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashFireInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE RAPID ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO FOUR OTHER VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, SMOKE EMITTED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE RAPID ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO FOUR OTHER VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED HOWEVER, A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM VIA AMBULANCE FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10475919

55,000 miles · Sep 13, 2012
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SECOND ROW SEAT BELTS COULD NOT BE RETRACTED OR FASTENED DUE TO THE SEAT BELT MATERIAL BECOMING SHREDDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL AUTO-BODY DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT BELTS AND RETRACTING SYSTEM REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SECOND ROW SEAT BELTS COULD NOT BE RETRACTED OR FASTENED DUE TO THE SEAT BELT MATERIAL BECOMING SHREDDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL AUTO-BODY DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT BELTS AND RETRACTING SYSTEM REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10475315

47,000 miles · Jul 31, 2012
Service Brakes

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 4/2010 IT HAD 22,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD NEW BRAKE PADS INSTALLED 7/18/2011 AT 47,000 MILES. IT BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES AGAIN IN JANUARY 2012, I FINALLY HAD TO HAVE NEW ROTORS/BRAKES INSTALLED AGAIN 6/2012. I CONTACTED SUZUKI REGARDING THE ISSUES OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THEY STATED THAT MY VIN# WAS NOT ON A …

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 4/2010 IT HAD 22,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD NEW BRAKE PADS INSTALLED 7/18/2011 AT 47,000 MILES. IT BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES AGAIN IN JANUARY 2012, I FINALLY HAD TO HAVE NEW ROTORS/BRAKES INSTALLED AGAIN 6/2012. I CONTACTED SUZUKI REGARDING THE ISSUES OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THEY STATED THAT MY VIN# WAS NOT ON A RECALL FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM YET, I STILL HAVE ISSUES. WHAT RE-COARSE DO I HAVE IN GETTING RE-EMBURSED FOR PRIOR INSTALLMENT OF NEW BRAKES AND GETTING IT CORRECTED AGAIN! I NOW HAVE 72,000 MILES ON THIS CAR I USE IT FOR IN-HOME HEALTH CARE, I TRANSPORT CLIENTS, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468433

59,500 miles · Jun 17, 2011
Steering

I WENT TO THE DEALER AFTER I SAW THE RECALL AND ASKED TO HAVE THE PULLEY REPLACED SINCE THE ENORMOUSLY LOUD SCREECHING OF THE BELT MAKES IT UNBEARABLE TO DRIVE. THEY REFUSED TO HAVE IT REPLACED STATING THAT EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS A 2005 XL7, THE VIN MY VEHICLE HAS DOES NOT QUALIFY ME FOR THE FREE REPLACEMENT. I LOSE CONTROL O…

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I WENT TO THE DEALER AFTER I SAW THE RECALL AND ASKED TO HAVE THE PULLEY REPLACED SINCE THE ENORMOUSLY LOUD SCREECHING OF THE BELT MAKES IT UNBEARABLE TO DRIVE. THEY REFUSED TO HAVE IT REPLACED STATING THAT EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS A 2005 XL7, THE VIN MY VEHICLE HAS DOES NOT QUALIFY ME FOR THE FREE REPLACEMENT. I LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING CONSTANTLY AND AM AT RISK OF CRASHING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BELTS THAT HAVE BROKEN WHEN THEY CAME LOSE DO TO THE FAULTY PULLEY.

NHTSA ODI #10408116

1,500 miles · Jun 11, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior LightingCrash

BRAKES LOCKING UP WHEN COMING TO A STOP &. MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN TAKING OFF. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL SOME TIMES NOT GO UP. AT VERY RARE OCCASIONS BRIGHT LIGHTT WILL NOT COME ON DURING THE NIGHT,VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT, DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND TURNS OFF WHILE DOOR IS OPEN...DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRON…

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BRAKES LOCKING UP WHEN COMING TO A STOP &. MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN TAKING OFF. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL SOME TIMES NOT GO UP. AT VERY RARE OCCASIONS BRIGHT LIGHTT WILL NOT COME ON DURING THE NIGHT,VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT, DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND TURNS OFF WHILE DOOR IS OPEN...DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BOTH TIMES WHEN TAKEN IN..............NOW2008. AFTER WARRANTY IS NO LONGER. TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE. THE MECHANIC STATED ROTORS, BRAKES, CALIPER, BEARINGS, SHOCKS HAVE ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO FAILURE OF PARTS AND THE AMOUNT OF MILES PLUS THE YEAR SOME OF THE PARTS SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS SHAPE. THE REPAIRS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A LONG TIME AGO. I NEVER LET MY OIL MECHANIC LOOK AT MY VEHICLE IN FEAR OF LOSING MY WARRANTY BUT NOW THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IF THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE BEEN HONEST WITH ME NOW I HAVE TO FIND AWAY TO COME UP WITH $1600.00 JUST TO KEEP ME SAFE WHILE SEEING PATIENT'S IN THERE HOMES... I HAVE RAN OFF IN A DITCH DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. TO STOP ME FROM HITTING A CAR. STOP FAST ON DIRT ROAD TO AVOID HITTING A DEER AND MY BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK UNTIL THE PEDAL HIT THE FIREWALL . THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND THE SUZUKI COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AND MAKE REPAIRS.. AS FOR ME I DRIVE SLOWER THEN THE SPEED LIMIT AND STAY AWAY FROM OTHER CARS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE... I DO NOT CARE IF I RECEIVE ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER...BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM STARTING WITH THE SHOCKS ALL THE WAY TO THE BEARINGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273583

87,000 miles · Dec 26, 2008
Power Train

ON NOV.26, 2008 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY @ 70 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITH VIRTUALLY NO ADVANCE WARNING AND HAD TO EXIT THE FREEWAY IMMEDIATELY. AFTER COSTLY TOWING AND REPAIR CHARGES THAT I INCURRED FROM THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN AND THE ENGINE FAILED FOR THE EXACT …

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ON NOV.26, 2008 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY @ 70 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITH VIRTUALLY NO ADVANCE WARNING AND HAD TO EXIT THE FREEWAY IMMEDIATELY. AFTER COSTLY TOWING AND REPAIR CHARGES THAT I INCURRED FROM THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN AND THE ENGINE FAILED FOR THE EXACT SAME REASON IT HAD FAILED FOR PREVIOUSLY. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPT. OF THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS A BROKEN THERMOSTAT. THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED BOTH HEADS, THERMOSTAT, AND VARIOUS OTHER MAINTENANCE ITEMS WERE DONE AS WELL. FROM THE TIME I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THE SECOND ENGINE FAILURE WAS 6 DAYS. I DID RECEIVE COPIES OF THE REPAIRS AND SERVICES THAT THEY PERFORMED IF YOU NEED THEM. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252816

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THEN INTO REVERSE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WAR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THEN INTO REVERSE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 38,513. UPDATED 12-15-08 *BF UPDATED 12/17/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10249279

Official recalls

2

10V250000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump

Jun 9, 2010

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR MODEL YEAR 2006 GRAND VITARA AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 XL-7 VEHICLES. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR (IF EQUIPPED) HAS AN OUTER PORTION THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC. REPEATED HEAT STRESS CAN CAUSE THE PLASTIC MATERIAL TO DETERIORATE AND PIECES OF THE PULLEY CAN BREAK OFF.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BROKEN PIECES OF THE PULLEY CAN GET CAUGHT BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE DRIVE BELT, CAUSING THE DRIVE BELT TO COME OFF AND RESULTING IN THE DRIVER NEEDING INCREASED EFFORT TO STEER THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVE BELT TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.

05V452000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Oct 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH WHEELS, THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS MAY BREAK UNDER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR IN CONDITIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS ON EXTREMELY STEEP PAVED DOWN-SLOPES WHILE CONTINUOUSLY APPLYING THE BRAKES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE FRONT BRAKES MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE MAY PULL TO ONE SIDE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005. THESE VEHICLES ARE LOCATED ON ST. THOMAS ISLAND (VIRGIN ISLANDS). OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI DEL CARIBE AT 787-622-0600.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.