Model year guide

2000 Suzuki Vitara

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2000 Suzuki Vitara is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 12 on record.

2000 Suzuki Vitara — representative photo
Representative photo

2000 Suzuki Vitara at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints35
Combined21–24 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2000 Suzuki Vitara recalls 1

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2000 Suzuki Vitara common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2000 Suzuki Vitara MPG & running costs

Combined21–24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,104
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,521 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 12 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2000 Suzuki Vitara costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,520
Fuel only$15,520
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
148.8–159.8 in
Width
67.3 in
Height
66.5–68.5 in
Wheelbase
86.6–97.6 in
Curb weight
2,723–2,987 lb
Front track
57.5 in
Rear track
57.5 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2000 Suzuki Vitara — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 10

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.

Bulletin SUZ_016008 · Suspension, Structure · Jul 2022

This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming s…

Bulletin N-Q-G-045 · Suspension, Equipment · Nov 2018

SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE FOR RESEALING FRONT TIMING CHAIN COVER. *MR

Bulletin 1201074 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2004

OIL LEVEL READS AT LOW MARK ON OIL LEVEL DIP STICK. 1999 - 2003 VITARA/GRAND VITARA/XL-7. *TT

Bulletin 0903143 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2003

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE, B1026 FLOW TABLE. SERVICE MANUAL UDPATE CORRECTION. *TT

Bulletin 0503143 · Electrical System · Jan 2003

A CONDITION MAY EXIST ON CERTAIN MODELS WHERE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING MAY LEAK FLUID FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OIL SEAL. *TT

Bulletin TS070110230 · Power Train · Jan 2001

THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE REVISED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES UNDER WARRANTY. *TT

Bulletin SW07 · Electrical System · May 2000

MODIFICATION OF MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE AND THE BEARING SELECTION PROCEDURE. 1999-2005 SUZUKI VITARA SQ420/SQ625L, GRAND VITARA SQ625W, AND XL-7 JA627 *SC

Bulletin 1405175 · Engine And Engine Cooling

MODIFICATION OF MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE AND THE BEARING SELECTION PROCEDURE. *TT

Bulletin 1410285R · Engine And Engine Cooling

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL OIL SEAL REPLACEMENT. *KB

Bulletin 0605227 · Power Train

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the VITARA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2000 Suzuki Vitara. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Other

CMVSS 115 requires that certain information be uniquely identified in the vehicle identification number (VIN). One such item is the engine type. This particular vehicle configuration has two available engines, 1.6L and 2.0L. Both vehicle configurations have been labelled with the same VIN prefix that being "2S3TA52C". This was the correct VIN prefix for the 2.0L model. All 1.6L…

Transport Canada #2002208 · Nov 2002

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Suzuki Vitara

The Suzuki Vitara is a series of SUVs produced by Suzuki in five generations since 1988. The second and third generation were known as the Suzuki Grand Vitara, while the fourth generation eschewed the "Grand" prefix. In Japan and a number of other markets, all generations have used the name Suzuki Escudo until 2024.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2000 Suzuki Vitara vehicles on record

Other Suzuki Vitara model years

2000 Suzuki Vitara — frequently asked questions

Does the 2000 Suzuki Vitara have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2000 Suzuki Vitara. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Suzuki Vitara?

Across all 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, suspension, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 2000 Suzuki Vitara get?

The 2000 Suzuki Vitara has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (12 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.