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2006 Grand Vitara vibration problem

2

Comments

  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    We have the beige seats. I'll try to have a look at the info and see when our GV was manufactured. But given that there was a waiting list when we got it in late December, I'd assume it had not been sitting around since the summer.
  • weezedogweezedog Member Posts: 2
    broncododge, can you give us more specific information. I have a vibration issue at 70-75mph, which vibration issue does the ECM update address. Even after rebalancing the tires the issue is still there. I need specific information with a TSB, campaign number, a field tech they can call, or something I can reference to the dealer other than "update the software". My dealer doesn't want to do anything without something from suzuki telling them to.
  • loukywellsloukywells Member Posts: 15
    Good luck on the vibration issue. I'm meeting with a Suzuki DM on Friday to discuss that same issue with my GV. My dealer told me that I have the latest ECM software installed on the vehicle, but they also stated that they don't even have the software for the '06 GV; therefore, they cannot flash it. I want you to try something if you don't mind. Start your GV and keep it in park. Slowly bring the RPM's to 2600 and tell me if you have the engine vibration...just curious. Thanks.
  • weezedogweezedog Member Posts: 2
    No engine vibration. My steering wheel just vibrates between 70-75mph, enough to make your hands numb. All 4 tires were out of balance. It seemed to help somewhat, I haven't driven it much on the interstate since I had the dealership re-balance them. If the vibration stays as low as it was tonight on the way home from work I can live with it.
    I will drive it for a few days to see what its like, the vibration isn't consistantly the same intensity. Usually its just tires out of balance that causes this, at least thats what it was in all my other vehicles. I just don't know if the dealership has sensitive enough equipment to balance them perfectly.
    I still want to know more details on the ECU flash, like the manufacturer's release notes on the software update.
  • loukywellsloukywells Member Posts: 15
    I see. Wheel vibration is another issue that I have. The dealership couldn't figure it out. I drive 95% of highway and my vibration is at the same speed as yours. The odd thing is that it's not consistant. Just today I noticed it entering the highway and then it slightly went away after couple of miles??
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    That is the big problem with many dealers... they don't want to do anything unless Suzuki directs them to... but we fished around for an answer to the problem and the ecm flash fixes the vibration issue in 98 percent of the cases. One case was a defective tire (had a wall separation), and I can't remember what the other one was-something broken in the front assembly. Suzuki is ignoring the problem. We just tried every fix known to man in order to resolve the issue and the ECM turned out to be the issue. I would hate to say that your dealer has his head up somewhere that the sun doesn't shine, but a disgruntled customer is just not acceptable to us, and we will try every avenue in order to resolve a problem. I have no idea what they are thinking. Because of anonimity, I would suggest you taking aside a service manager and requesting they call UP NORTH and talk to other service managers to see if THEY have an ECM flash that fixes this problem! it almost sounds as tho they haven't got a clue.... Perhaps they are afraid they will mess the truck up royaly and void the warranty. Not too sure of their thinking, but oh boy would I make the quiet suggestion to the Service manager (aside). Or excercise the lemon law in your area! Suzuki woman strikes again! :shades:
  • loukywellsloukywells Member Posts: 15
    I will again address the flash issue to the service manager on Friday. Is there a way for them to contact you regarding this issue? I wouldn't want to post anything that would be against the rules and regulations of the forum.

    I do think that the service department is being very careful in what they disturb on the vehicle.

    Have you heard of a rattle in the moonroof? I talked to the service manager today and they sre still waiting on Suzuki to direct them on what to do. He stated that the 2007's that are arriving have the same rattle in them. You can push on the glass and it stops...I just about had it with the vehicle.

    Regards.
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    We have not had the rattle problem up here. I have no idea why. I think the forum demands anonimity... otherwise I would have posted my dealership a long time ago. I don't think they want advertising and I can see their point. Just ask the service manager to call UP NORTH- a few large dealerships and to ask the service managers if they have a ECM fix for vibration. You can't be heavy handed with it, just kind of advisory. If the service manager is savy, he will make inquiries on his own. The rattle in the sunroof is just mind boggling because we haven't seen it and I have no idea why we haven't. I will make some quiet inquiries of my managers if this has been mentioned at all. Suzuki woman strikes again! :shades:
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Dealer names and locations are fine. The members get a bit perturbed if someone starts touting their own business but there's a difference between information and spam.
  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    Our '06 JLX-L has absolutely no vibrations at any speed. There is a very slight droning noise at about 1500rpm, and a few very quiet noises on very rough roads, but that's it.

    I understand when Suzuki mounts the wheels and rims, they take care to match up tires and rims, and position the tires on the rims, to cancel out any imperfections. This is what the colored dots on the tires and rims are for. I assume that if you upset the tire/rim matching, presumably you will get vibration. I add that for info, not because I have any idea what's causing the problems being sorted out here.
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    yes, that is for alignment and consistancy. The vibration doesn't come from the tires or the alignment. Its from the engine. That is why the ECM flash works. Suzuki woman strikes again! :shades:
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Did I ask you where this photo was taken on your CarSpace album? Nice country!

    Don't remember the Clipper photos either.
  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    As you travel north from Vancouver on the way to Whistler, you can turn northwest off the main Highway 99 route. There is a major valley, the Squamish River valley, that goes farther north than Whistler, and which was opened up for logging. For better or worse, the area is full of logging roads, which go from sea level up to treeline, which is about 5000' around here. The absence of trees makes for great views.... If you go to Google Maps, and enter these coordinates, you can see the road where the shot was taken, looking north, about 2km nw of 49°56' 54.0"-123°16' 30.0"

    The pictures with the canoe were taken at the Tsawassen ferry terminal, about 15km south of Vancouver. Ferries leave from there for Vancouver Island.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Hmmm, I tried a wide gravel logging road north of Vancouver one time in my '89 Voyager and it was so steep and soft, I couldn't make it the first hill. :shades: It is a bit, er, revealing, flying over BC on a clear day.

    My wife is into palm trees lately but she hasn't discovered the ones in Tsawassen . ;)
  • i3oyeti3oyet Member Posts: 16
    Hey guys,
    This message is is mainly for Suzuki woman. I live in Vancouver Canada and I bought a 2006 Manual Transmission Grand Vitara JX last year. Now since I bought the car, It's been in and out for repair. Number 1 problem was a really high pitch noise in fourth gear @ around 100 to 110 K and it took the dealer 4 months to address the problem (noise is signifficatly lower but didn't completely go away). Number 2 problem is the heat/ac fan blower died and was address by another dealer because i was told, (my dealer do not have time to do it on Saturdays or week end)number three problem is when ever I get stuck in uphill traffic about 20% slope, My clutch would smell really bad. Even getting out of snow my clutch would smell and was told it's normal have the clutch smell when vehicle is new (i have been driving manual transmission for about 12 years 2 new vehicles and 3 used and never had that really bad smell and never even heard of such thing). Number 3 problem i bought the roof rack from suzuki dealer and it makes so much noise it feels like you have your windows open. Number 4 problem At about 20,000 K I started having problem with my dashboard vibrating starting @ about 40 kilomters. Number 5 problem I now have a problem with a loud whining noise on first and second gear that seem to be comming from either ther drive shaft or transmission which when I first took it back to the dealer I was told it is normal. and so I sent and email to suzuki with a little bit of anger demanding to fix the problem and told if they need the car for a reasonable time frame I would be willing to give it to them just to fix the problem for as long as they give me descent car to drive as a replacement. I sent the email before cristmas last year and called them two weeks ago and was told they are going to contact me to setup and appoinment but never heard from them since then. I am now in contact with canvap to file a complaint. and also I am looking for a reputable shop to do extensive testing on my car so I can share to everyone all the result that I will get from it. Suzuki Canada doesn't seem to wan'a address the problem. Any suggestions on what I should do to get my problem solved?
  • i3oyeti3oyet Member Posts: 16
    By the way, List of things that have been done to my car. 1) transmission was replace with a new one 2) front Driveline shaft was replaced with a new one 3) balancer for for noise installed 4) heat/AC fan blower replaced with brand new one 5)clutch was opened up and cleaned and regreased (clutch sitll smell not as much but still smell) also, I am now experiencing a break vibration when i make a sudden stop. Am starting to feel uneasy with it sometimes due to my safety.
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    Bonjour ami: I read your post at the recent meetings and it had EVERYONE shaking their head. The Clutch smell must have been and be Neoprine (the glue like material that they spray on Suzuki's before it is shipped on the boat). It will go away, but my guess is more like 8 months. The roof rack is an easy fix. The cross bars MUST be attached on the rear side of the rails one just beyond the top of the car (rear side), and one down about 6 inches. You are getting a helicopter effect and probably a loud scream as you drive the car (you haven't mentioned the scream, but other people have). Try repositioning the cross bars-picture the wind in your mind and how it slides over the truck. The first crossbar MUST be 1 to 2 inches lower than the peak where the wind actually strikes the truck. This is a common problem-and those cross bars are very movable. The vibrating dash is just amazing. None of us can come up with a reason for that to be happening-logically, if the engine is causing a vibration, then the dash would more than likely appear to vibrate as well. The break "throb" that you feel is caused by the brake overheating and you have WARPED the rotors. The question I have is do you ride the brakes at all-or, have you had to slam them on quite a few times? Geez, I have to go back and re-read the list of your issues because I cannot remember them all! Another reason for the brake issue could be rough terrain with rocks kicking up and getting between the rotor and the pad. Are you driving on really rough terrain??? Thanks, Suzuki woman! :shades:
  • i3oyeti3oyet Member Posts: 16
    I only go to rough terrain once in a while and no I don't recall any incent where I slamed on my break too hard. Sometimes you have to step on your break a little more than usual when people infront of you make a sudden stop that you are not expecting. I will try the Roof rack this weekend and update you with ang change. You haven't comment on my biggest problem though. I mean the whinning noise. Do you have any idea and or know of anybody that knows exactly what the problem is. To give you an idea how loud the noise is. When you are on 2nd gear the whinning noise is as loud as the engine itself.
  • i3oyeti3oyet Member Posts: 16
    Hmmmmm, I'm still waiting for Suzuki woman to respond to my last post....I wonder what happen....
  • kutyafalkutyafal Member Posts: 27
    loukywells, I have the same exact issue. I had 65-75 mph vibration too but the TSB helped on that quite a bit. However I still have the engine vibration (detectable easly in park) at around 2600-2800 RPM just like yours. At around that RPM just everything starts to shake pretty bad.
  • loukywellsloukywells Member Posts: 15
    It's nice to see that I'm not alone. I'm meeting with the DM on Wed. of next week to discuss some issues. My job requires me to drive long distances and it drives me nuts.

    You are correct when you stated that you can detect it while sitting still. Slowly rev it to 2500+ and it's very distinctive. I believe that when it's driven it gets worst.

    This sounds crazy but I'm going to see if the DM will try this: Drive the car for about an hour and then stop. Raise your feet up while your in the vehicle...your feet will feel like that have had a nice workout.

    I believe there are multiple issues with my car. Road noise, vibration from the engine and steering, air leakage from the moonroof, etc.

    I've had a new noise from the engine that I'm getting checked out. When your driving it around 45 mph in fifth gear, the engine sounds like cheap gas?

    I'll let everyone know what happens next week.

    Regards.
  • easy2t2easy2t2 Member Posts: 31
    can someone confirm if they've had this transmission vibe problem in any 2007 model.

    The Problem is mentioned only for 2006.
  • loukywellsloukywells Member Posts: 15
    I drove a 2007 GV Luxury 4x4 and it did it worst. The vehicle was the service manager's...lol. I wanted to know due to the fact that I would just trade and move to the '07. What's the use now?

    By the way, I don't know if it is a tranny issue but rather an engine imbalance of some sort.

    Regards.
  • vitara4mevitara4me Member Posts: 35
    Suzuki of America has had my GV for about a week now. Fortunately for me, they are paying for my rental car, a gas-sucking Nissan Murano with a worthless CVT auto transmission.(seriously, the best I can do is 15 city. Sometimes I hit 20 MPG on the freeway).

    The dealership replaced the "transfer case", and they called today to tell me that the vibration is still there. Now, the area service rep is going to take another look at it again. I mentioned the ECU flash to the dealership, and I was told that they cannot do a re-flash on my ECU if the ECU has the latest flash. In other words, it can't be "flashed". The computer will not let them flash the ECU. They say that the re-flash procees is halted when the computer reads the flash date, or serial number. If the old serial number is the same as the new serial number, the flash process stops.

    Perhaps Suzuki Woman can shed some light on this, as I was told that my software IS the latest version.

    So back to square one.....

    I just hope that Suzuki plays fair with me when it comes time to have "Suzuki buy the car back" from me. I have a feeling they don't have a clue as to what is causing the vibration. Perhaps they will replace the transmission next, then the front diff, then the rear diff, then as a last resort, they will put in a new engine!:confuse:

    Just give me a new '97 XL7 with navigation and we will call it even :)

    Actually, the new Saturn Sky Redline is very tempting!

    Suzuki Women, care to share your opinions?

    Regards, Vitara4me :lemon:
  • loukywellsloukywells Member Posts: 15
    All I can say is good luck. I met with the D.M. regarding the vibration issue and he was all talk...wouldn't do a thing for me. I really hope they step up to the plate. I'm selling mine on Ebay and I'm currently at the airport going to pick up my new Rav4. I had the last straw with them yesterday when they rejected my request for a rental while they were performing warranty work. BYE BYE SUZUKI !
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    Sorry, have been in the hospital so was unable to reply. The dealer can override the computer and flash any ECM regardless of the date. Your issue is the dealer can not believe it is the ECM. Suzuki has an independent group now buying back the cars and trucks that have issues, so you won't have any problems. We too have seen a mass exodus of people leaving the Suzuki line. It's a shame really, but Suzuki has created this. Forget the Saturn go try the Mitsubishi. It really is a shame. My Suzuki is running wonderfully-I have had no problems but then the crew flashed my ECM with the same date same serial number by overriding the error message. Good luck to you. Suzuki woman strikes again. :shades:
  • vitara4mevitara4me Member Posts: 35
    This is very strange. Just yesterday, I get a call from the dealer and I am told that the transfer case replacement DID NOT fix the vibration issue. The technician that performed the repairs drove the vehicle and gave it thumbs "down". The area rep from Suzuki of America drives it and gives it a thumbs "up". I am willing to give everyone involved the benefit of the doubt, but I also will not tolerate being played the fool.

    Now, five minutes ago, I get another call from the same dealership telling me that the transfer case replacement DID fix the vibration. Ok, which is it? Fixed or not?

    They are saying now that the vibration is "much less" than before, and it is now within acceptable limits. I was told that they test-drove another 4x4 GV Luxury Edition and the vibration is "consistent" with the other vehicle. Ok, how can any vibration be acceptable and consistent? Just because other vehicles of a particular model vibrate does not make it right, or acceptable. If it is a design flaw, then Suzuki must either make it right, as in COMPLETELY right, or take back the defective vehicle. There is no “middle” ground.

    They told me to drop off the rental car and take the GV home. I say, "hold on there, I want to DRIVE the vehicle before I give up my rental". So tomorrow, I go drive my lemon, err, I mean Grand Vitara.....

    I even mentioned the re-flash to the guy on the phone and he just ignored me and kept saying, "your car is fixed, your car is fixed, you car is fixed".
    So then I mention the letter that I wrote to Suzuki of America, and he says, "your car is fixed".

    I'll keep you posted as the saga continues.

    Regards, NoVitara4me
  • loukywellsloukywells Member Posts: 15
    Vitara4me...we are in the exact same boat and I feel your pain. Tech says one thing and the D.M. says another. Let me know your outcome as mine is for sale.

    Suzuki women: Who is this independent company buying the defective cars back?
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    I have to look through records to find the name of the company. Will repost when I find it. I am not too sure you can call them directly. Suzuki woman strikes again... :shades:
  • i3oyeti3oyet Member Posts: 16
    You are not the only one with this problem. I have been told over and over and over by my dealer that the car is fixed and the problem was actually never fixed and now more problem.(even Suzuki canada is makeing it really hard for me)(I emailed them last december and never got a respond 'till i filed a complaint with CANVAP almost two mnths later) They now told me that they will replace my transmission "again" with a new 2007 version. I'm giving them one last chance after that I'm going all the way to the court and also get my car tested and post a warning on evey chat room I can find on the internet to teach this people a lesson for making their customer like a fool. Am still waiting for suzuki woman to give a respond to my question a while ago. Is she for real or one of them? good question..
  • loukywellsloukywells Member Posts: 15
    Suzuki woman has been very helpful for me in the past. I believe she is for real and would be willing to assist in whatever manner. I thought about the court system but it is such a hassle and I really don't have the time. Kentucky does have Arbitration, so I could just file a complaint with them. Check your state law or Suzuki would be able to let you know. Le me know what happens.
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    :shades: Well, first off, I would drive the truck to see if it's really fixed. Then I would make a determination on whether or not to contact an attorney. As for the guy in Canada-there is a bit of a difficulty here that all of us are shaking our head over. Firstly, your laws are different as you are a different country. Secondly, your TRUCKS AND CARS are different because your emission laws are much different. My take on the GV problem is that Suzuki lost a lot of money on this problem and they may be getting a bit strained at the bit to fix more trucks. We got a delivery of trucks that had come from Canada and they were totally different from what we are able to fix. Calls to American Suzuki were frustration VERY unhappy mechanics. Tons of electrical problems. Finally shipped them back to Suzuki at a loss. Arbitration is a very good way to get the powers that be to the table. Make sure you have all paperwork and records and state exactly what you want. I think with an arbitrator you will get satisfaction. It's just such a shame that Suzuki lets this kind of thing go on! Best of luck to you Kentucky and to you Vancouver. Suzuki woman strikes again.
  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    You know, one thing many of us worried about when deciding to buy the new GV, was that entirely new car designs commonly show up with, or develop difficult problems. It looks like this has happened with the new GV, and the only lucky thing for most of us is that it seems most of the GV's don't have this problem. Vitaras have had a pretty good record on the first model year for new versions, but I guess this will be the end of that positive reputation. Good luck to those struggling with this problem.
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    I read the consumer reports on all the cars manufactured.. I received the latest report and the consumer satisfaction ratings for the Grand Vitara are dropping. All the while the consumer satisfaction for the Izuzu and the toyota and the honda are skyrocketing. The ratings for the Hyundai sonata are soaring. The Pontiac vibe is extremely highly rated. All the while, Suzuki seems to want to hide in obsurity- suddenly. They don't want dealers to advertise in Newspapers all of a sudden. Advertising reimbursement and allotments are suddenly cut. One cannot dabble in the car manufacturing business and then when you find out that you have a defect, back up and hide. You are correct, not all the Grand Vitaras have a problem and many of the cars and trucks produced by Suzuki are excellent. It's stepping up to the plate and aiding the people who are affected that makes the difference. Suzuki woman strikes again! :shades:
  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    Yes, it's one thing to be aware of a defect like this when deciding which vehicle to get. That will turn off a number of sales. But if the prospective buyers also know that they will get the run-around IF they end up with a bad one, then there aren't many people who will be willing to take both risks.

    I wonder what the proportion of vehicles with this problem is, and I wonder if it's confined to the US/Canadian market. I don't see much "chatter" about this on the Suzuki fan websites.
  • i3oyeti3oyet Member Posts: 16
    I started going through the Arbitrators but the problem with them is they don't have enough power to order the manufacturers to do certain things. Example is myself, I have installed some accessories (ei: Auto starter with alarm that cost me 700$ Canadian) I wanted to give Suzuki one last chance to fix my problem due to the fact that it's been a year and a half of comming back and forth to the shop with no real result. After they have that last chance, I would like them to buy the car back with all my accessories too but for some reason, arbitrators here in Vancouver can't order them to do that. Zusuki has caused me nothing but pain since I bought the car. Sorry for whinning every time but this is how i feel
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    Okay, no manufacturer is ever going to pay you for your accessories. Only for the car or truck. It really is unreasonable for you to expect them to buy what optional equipment YOU chose to put on the car-have it removed. Come on, you really MUST realize what YOU chose to put on a car or truck can be removed and it isn't anything to do with them! Just let them buy the vehicle back and get your stuff removed from the truck! Suzuki woman strikes again! :shades:
  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    broncododge,
    While I greatly appreciate your input, and think you're technically right here, I don't think this position on accessories is fair. We buy vehicles with certain expectations, and should not have to leave them stock in case it turns out they have problems no one can fix. Is it not enough that owners of such vehicles get no compensation for the incredible hassle they go through dealing with the vehicle itself? What is their time worth? $90 per hour like the dealership's mechanics? If that seems silly, bear in mind again that people buy new vehicles with certain expectations.

    This accessory business sounds like good material for a small claims case, unless buyback terms preclude any such action. What would happen in the case of a "tuner" car, with tens of thousands of dollars of stuff added (none of which related to the problems.)?

    I guess any damage done to buyers will eventually translate into future sales. I have friends who had a new Outback that Subaru spent a year failing to fix. They did a buyback /trade for a Forester. Hated it, traded for a new Toyota, and love it. Needless to say, they will never buy another Subaru.

    i3oyet,
    Which dealer did you buy the GV from? The city/town name will do if you don't want to name them.
  • broncododgebroncododge Member Posts: 28
    Okay, NOT everyone feels a great need for a remote start. I am not saying don't spiff out a car or truck-just don't be so spoiled that you expect to be paid for it if the car or truck has a problem and the manufacturer offers to buy back the car or truck. Thank God you are actually going to get reimbursed for the vehicle! You simply aren't making any sense. AND: NO DEALER is going to put 10s of thousands of dollars into a "tuner." Rims maybe at 500 dollars, paint pin stripping at 50 dollars. CHIP FOOSE DOES NOT COME OUT TO DEALERS AND PIMP OUT CARS. An accessory is an accessory-period. What does "any damage done to buyers will eventually translate into future sales." mean? Like I said, you make absolutely no sense whatsoever. What does a buyback on a manufacturers car or truck have to do with an accessory? An accessory by definition is an optional function placed on a car or truck at the disgression of the buyer. The dealer does not install it, usually it is farmed out to a private installer. You appear to have failed to realize that this is SUZUKI we are talking about, not a BMW. I won't answer you again. I have to go back to work I pity the poor judge who would ever get your nuisance suit on accessories. SUZUKI WOMAN STRIKES AGAIN! :shades:
  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    I would hope we could disagree (on one point out of dozens) while remaining objective.

    IF the buyback means purchase price, then I wouldn't sweat the accessories. But if it's a depreciated price, AND the accessories AND the hassle are ignored, then I think there would be "damage" in the sense of a lost customer for the brand. If I were in this situation, and got either full purchase price back, OR some compensation for accessories, then I'd say to people that Suzuki resolved the issue as reasonably as could be expected. Otherwise I'd tell people my story and suggest they shop elsewhere. I'm not trying to offend you by saying that, it's just what I believe reasonable people will do. And of course Suzuki knows this. I do hope they handle it the best way, since as a GV owner, I want Suzuki to do well. But not at any special expense to me.
  • i3oyeti3oyet Member Posts: 16
    First of all. Let me say that I am really disappointed what Suzuki woman said. Explain to me in words I can understand why I spend more money on getting the accessories removed from the car when the reality is Suzuki screwed up with the car they sold me and can not fix it for a reasonable time frame. Don't think that is very unfair and needless to say very stupid thing to do? I bought the car for the price that they spicified and I bouhgt it expecting it to work like every other brand new car. Tell me in what way I can explain this whole thing to you so you can understand it. I bought the car and have been patient for one and a half year going back and forth to the shop with no real result. Do you even understand and realize what kind frustration i'm going thruogh taking time off my work everytime just to take the car to dealer. Do you understand the meaning of a brand new car. Ohhhhh my goodness Suzuki woman. You really are something. Put this in your mind. one and a half year. with so many problems. Don't you think that is reasonable enough for them to say, You've already gone through all this trouble, let us make it up and give you your money back with all you accessories. Don't you think that is reasonable. Anyone in this forum please enlighten me if you think am not being reasonable.
  • i3oyeti3oyet Member Posts: 16
    For those you that interested. I bought the car in North Vancouver Susuzki here in vancouver, BC. Canada. Oh and another thing......Everytime I call, They don't have time to do it on Saturdays so I have to bring the car back to them on weekdays. at one point I had to wait there in the dealer for 5 hours because they kept telling me it should not take too long anymore. It's almost done......... for five hours......NOTE:::I am now starting to hear whining noise on first, second,third and fourth gear.. loudest is still second like I mentioned the first time but it is beggining to get louder....
  • i3oyeti3oyet Member Posts: 16
    Manufacturers should be reasonable in dealing with customers (When they screwed up with their design or part of their product fails and can not be repaired in a reasonable time frame they should step up and make things right and not make a fool of their customers)I will tell you time and time again Suzuki woman. I have been to the dealer for repair so many times and every time I would be told that the car is fixed and works like a charm. And when I drive the car, I see no change on the problem. I went up to the next level after a while. I e-mailed Suzuki canada and like I mentioned before again. I received no response untill I started filling a complaint with and arbitrator(CANVAP)approximately 2 months after. One of their customer service person contacted me and said they are willing to replace the transmission with a 2007 version. When I ask what happens after it's replaced with 2007 transmission and still have that same problem. I was told that they will do nothing but continue to fix the problem even if it takes 10 years or more. Now!!! tell me Suzuki woman. Would that be a reasonable thing to do. After more than one year of going back and forth to the shop a representative of a manufacturer will tell me that. I was told that their only obligation to the federal government of Canada is (to fix the problem how ever long it will take with no compensation and not even required to buy back the vehicle...Maybe this people think that we as customers don't have a life that can just devote all our spare time trying to get our Grabd Vitara fixed up.
  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    "I bought the car in North Vancouver Susuzki here in vancouver, BC. Canada"

    Thanks. We got ours from Richmond Suzuki. For its first oil change, I dropped it off after work. They gave me a loaner for free, which I returned when I picked up the GV after work the next day. That minimized the hassle for me, and gave them plenty of time. But it still meant I did over two hours driving in rush hour traffic. I had also had to make a trip back to them to pick up the owner's manual etc. which they failed to put in the vehicle when I bought it.

    I'm not happy with how they handled (or failed to handle) the baggy leather in the front seat bottoms, and the warped drivers side mirror. I don't like being told the regional rep will contact me about the seats, and never did. I don't like being told the mirror is not warped when I can see damn well that it is. (And why did they remove and replace my blind-spot mirror if they saw nothing wrong with the glass?) Those are minor things compared to your problem, but the result is that I'm getting the warranty interval servicing done somewhere else where it's cheaper, vastly more convenient, consumes less gas, and the staff are straight across with me.

    I should say I had a good impression of the N. Van Suzuki dealership. I stopped by there one Saturday or Sunday to see if they could check a check engine warning light, caused by my wife failing to screw the gas cap on properly. The only person around cheerfully did it on the spot, and for no charge.

    You have a manual transmission, and I don't. So I can't compare our GV. Usually such noises are indicative of abnormal wear in a manual transmission. There are lots of manual transmission GV's being sold all over the world, and I don't see much "buzz" about this problem. There's an issue with drivetrain/engine vibration, but not much about manual transmission problems. Do you participate in suzuki-formus.com?

    Have you tried taking it to a different dealer? I know how much hassle that is because we have to work at the same time the service depts. are open, but some other dealer might know how to handle this.

    Maybe it would drive home how much hassle this has been for you if you counted up how many trips to the dealer you've made on this issue, phone calls, letters etc. and tally up the total number of hours. Suzuki representatives don't seem to recognize what an impact this has on your life. Assuming the vehicle has manufacturing or design defects (and I see no reason why you would make up this hassle)I find their apparent lack of empathy particularly offensive.

    -----------------------

    Reviewing your posts...just wondering about your crossbar noise problem. broncododge's suggestion about the height of the rack didn't make sense to me. Did you carefully install the filler strips after you mounted the towers? Any open slots on the rack are going to be really noisy.

    And after mouting this rack, go around and push up on the ends of the crossbars. It is difficult to mount this rack so it's really locked into the crossrails, even if it looks ok. I've read a report of one of these racks coming right off, and even if you know exactly why it has a problem, it's still hard to get it on right. Needs to be recalled, if you ask me.
  • vitara4mevitara4me Member Posts: 35
    Ok, another update to the vibration problem. The dealership called and told me to pick up my Grand Vitara. I was told by the service writer that it had been fixed/ problem solved/ game over.

    I told the dealership that I was NOT going to give up my gas-sucking Nissan Murano AWD rental until I test drive my GV.

    Well, the vibration is much less, but it is still there. Granted, I can see out of my mirrors now while accelerating, but it IS still there.

    They did however, fix the rattle coming from the back seat. Seems that the last dealer (out of business), had stripped one of the studs that holds the seat down. Remember that I had all the carpet replaced in my 2006 Grand Vitara because the floor had become so hot, that the insulation, sound padding, and foam backing had melted and turned into black Jell-O.

    Anyway, the only thing I won't try again is tow with this vehicle. The 2006 Grand Vitara has a 3000 pound towing capacity....or does it?

    I tried to tow a small U-Haul open trailer to Las Vegas (I rented the smallest, lightest trailer U-Haul had), and the Grand Vitara almost caught fire. I was climbing a hill (outside temp was 65 degrees F), and the engine and transmission decided that 3rd gear at 6,000-6,500 RPM would be a good choice. Well, the exhaust system became very, very, very hot while climbing the hill.

    So, unfortunately, I no longer trust the Grand Vitara to tow anything long distances. Now, if you want to tow around town, no problem, but on the freeway; forget it! Not unless you like melting floors and shoes. (Yes, the heel of my right shoe melted as well). The Grand Vitara has enough of a problem pulling itself up a hill, much less a trailer. In fact, before you decide to purchase a Grand Vitara, put your whole family in it, plus luggage, and go find a hill somewhere. You will find that 18-wheelers will be honking at you to get out of the way.

    So, SuzukiWoman, what is the name of that company that buys back vehicles that vibrate, melt, and get 6 MPG while towing up a hill?

    (Yes, I almost ran out of gas in the middle of the Mojave Desert. I left Ontario, California with a full tank, and ran dry about ten miles north of Baker, California)

    Thanks, Vitara4me :lemon:
  • bm000092bm000092 Member Posts: 70
    I think that your case is unusual, but being at your place I would be very angry too.
    See, I towed my 2200lbs camping trailer with my wife, 2 kids,all the luggages and 2 bikes for a 1300 miles trip crossing the Adirondaks and the CatSkills. When climbing hills in the mountains I was selecting "4" instead of "D", I was able to maintain a good cruising speed (around 70-75 mph), passing cars and 18-wheelers. The engine was doing just fine and never suffered. It performed as good if not better than my previous Cherokee, with less gas (average of 20 miles per US gallons over the 1300 miles at an average of 70-75 mph, which is very good), and braking power of the GV is better than the Cherokee too. So I'm more than pleased with it.

    I think you just got a lemon.
  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    Yes, it sounds like there's something fundametally wrong with your GV.

    We have highways near here through the mountains, where there are one or two black patches on the shoulders every kilometer, from vehicles catching fire on the long steep climbs. (Coquihalla Highway and the Connector) The GV, fully loaded, happily zooms up these hills at 120kph, faster than anything other than performance vehicles and things like pickups with huge engines and no only a driver for a load. 18-wheelers? We go past them like they're standing still.

    One time another 2006 GV fell in behind us, and the two of us were passing everything in sight until they turned off after a couple of hours of doing this.

    I never tow anything, though.
  • harp666harp666 Member Posts: 5
    Let me tell all of you...I have been reading these boards since I bought my 2006 Suzuki vibrating machine. I Have not gone to the dealership for my problem In hopes for someone on these boards to find the reason for me.
    I have also been reading "suzuki womans" posts about reprogramming the ecu. I find It hard to believe that "HER"(and only her) Dealership has a mystical fix that Suzuki Motors does not know about. If SUZUKI motors does not know about any fix than there Is no fix at this time for the Issue.
    If you bought a car and had the ECU re-programmed as she said to do(at her mystical dealership) and then went to another dealership still having a problem SUKUKI MOTORS would most likely void you warrenty for tampering with the ecu without no offical recall.... BEWARE...........
  • vitara4mevitara4me Member Posts: 35
    Spied: Suzuki Gets Aggressive
    It's a tall order

    By Paul Horrell

    "Suzuki plans to triple North American annual sales from 80,000 to 250,000 in five years. That's a tall order because it means biting into Hyundai's and Kia's growth. But the company plans to roll out a fleet of imaginative new vehicles to help it succeed, according to Hirotake Ono, board member in charge of U.S. and European marketing.

    First up for the U.S. is the 2006 Grand Vitara, now on sale in Japan as the Escudo. The five-seater maintains true off-road capability, but becomes more civilized on-road. Equipped with a 2.7-liter V-6, its body is integral with its box-section frame, and the front- and rear-suspensions mount to subframes.

    Three big launches make 2008 Suzuki's Big Year
    • Mid-2007, Suzuki replaces the XL-7 with a bigger five- and seven-passenger SUV designed for North America. Based on the 2005 Concept X Detroit show car, it uses the Saturn Vue's Theta platform. A 3.6-liter Japanese-built V-6 based on GM's high-feature engines will power the 192-inch-long truck.

    • A 2008 Verona replacement will again be built at GM's Daewoo facility in South Korea.

    • A 2008 Aerio SX replacement, codenamed New Sport Crossover (pictured) plays a big role. A 2.0-liter engine will power the front-drive U.S. version. The body was "mainly designed" by Italdesign Giugiaro and finished in Japan. Based on an all-new platform, it employs front struts and a rear torsion beam and exhibits little body roll despite its tall bodywork. Suzuki and Fiat versions go on sale in Europe next year, and Ono expects a hybrid-powered version in calendar-year 2008.

    A new sport/utility wagon, with a transverse-engine front-drive layout and all-wheel-drive capability, is set for the 2009 model year. Ono says it matches the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series wagons in size but not in price. It'll also have the 3.6-liter twin-cam V-6. Meanwhile, U.S. dealers chose not to take a car as small as the new Swift, until they saw what it looked like. Too late. They'll have to wait until a new 2010 model. Finally, Suzuki wants a sports car, though it hasn't decided on a layout. Accountants nixed a front-drive two-seater for 2007, in part because it was designed just for Europe and Japan. A new project entails the U.S. market, but again not before 2010."

    Ok, Suzuki......what about the 2008 Grand Vitara? Any changes? Bigger engine? Rear discs? DVD player? Better MPG?

    Regards, Vitara4me
  • xostnotxostnot Member Posts: 232
    On Page 5, "suzukiwoman" broncododge said: "Advertising reimbursement and allotments are suddenly cut."

    Suzuki is running new ads for both the XL7 and the Grand Vitara, plus a very funny fake newspaper page about the XL7.
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