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2006 Grand Vitara vibration problem

122 messages,  Last post on Aug 28, 2009 at 1:06 PM

You are in the Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Forum.

What is this discussion about? Suzuki Grand Vitara, Car Safety, Suspension, Transmission, Car Warranties, SUV

Messages Page 6 of 13

#46 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [loukywells] by broncododge

Jan 11, 2007 (8:59 am)

Replying to: loukywells (Jan 11, 2007 5:57 am)
Wow, I am shocked by the lack of insulation and will pull apart a Grand Vitara to see myself. As far as the vertical lines go you are correct, the leather on the Grand Vitaras does NOT react will with extreme heat. The baggy seat problem stems from that. Especially in the rear bench. When the rear seats are folded down and the heat becomes extreme 90 and above the top seat will meld with the bottom seat fairly solid. When you place it back up, you will get a baggy leather effect. Likewise the heat will weaken the front seats and with frequent hopping in and out a truck, the leather actually begins to pull apart and vertical streaks appear. Where do you live that the leather replacement was so incredibly poor? You must be in the South as that would explain the heat. When we replace leather, it is high grade and tougher than what Suzuki actually puts in...Cost is about 895. and the value is just exceeds that. Suzuki woman...

#47 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [broncododge] by loukywells

Jan 11, 2007 (9:54 am)

Replying to: broncododge (Jan 11, 2007 8:59 am)
I live in Kentucky so the temp. isn't extreme but it does get in the 90's during the summer months.
 
I haven't checked the insulation on the doors yet but I don't know if that's necessary at this point. Installing insulation would be a very timely task.
 
I have a feeling that Suzuki isn't going to take responsibility for the "design issues". I actually enjoy driving this car locally, but this vehicle isn't designed for the highway driver. It's making me sick that I have to address these issues.

#48 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [loukywells] by broncododge

Jan 11, 2007 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: loukywells (Jan 11, 2007 9:54 am)
Yeah, it really isn't fun to spend money and then have to address all that you have had to address. I don't know the lemmon law in Kentucky at all, in NY you would already have been eligible and Suzuki has really stepped up to the plate here. I think Suzuki will take responsiblity-I really do. But NOT the dealership. You can't go through the dealership to do this. Do you know any lemonlaw attorneys in kentucky? You really might want to get a free consultation. It's not going to be easy, but then attorneys tend to scare Suzuki so I really think they will cave in. The Japanese are VERY prideful and very aware that bad negative feedback has bad results. They really don't want to be made to look like a bad guy. The dealership is a different story-they probably don't care much. If they are the only ones around, they probably know that they have not got much to worry about. But if the word gets around, then they will worry. Their is a site on the internet called the rip off reports-you could voice your concern there at www.ripoffreport.com/ or contact National Highway boards at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/ I think you need to be more vocal and not accept this as much. I have many Grand vitara people driving 100 miles a day and no one has told me yet, that it wasn't a highway or long distance truck. In fact just the opposite. I have one gal that calls the truck her "little red rocket" I really think you just got a lemon from a bad dealer. Keep me up to date with what happens! Suzuki woman strikes again!

#49 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [broncododge] by bearsgv

Jan 11, 2007 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: broncododge (Jan 11, 2007 12:40 pm)
I drive around 130km a day, 80% freeway & the GV is a lot more comfortable & quieter than my previous car (Toyota Corolla).
 
Went for a short holiday over Christmas, drove around 600km return trip, mostly freeway, the GV was very comfortable & sure footed.

#50 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [bearsgv] by broncododge

Jan 11, 2007 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: bearsgv (Jan 11, 2007 1:46 pm)
Excellent, that is what I had thought. I think this other guy in Kentucky has a lemon! Suzuki woman strikes again!

#51 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [broncododge] by xostnot

Jan 11, 2007 (10:09 pm)

Replying to: broncododge (Jan 11, 2007 8:59 am)
I have to say we bought our GV in December in Vancouver. So it wasn't hot weather. The front seat bottom panels stretched on the first drive, and have never returned to being taut. We are not "large" people. The dealer said they'd arrange for the regional rep to look at them and determine if they warranted replacement. They said they'd call me to arrange an appointment when the rep would be there, but they never called.
 
The seats looked like crap for a brand new car, but since it's a year old now, they seem more acceptable. I noticed other cars with leather seats have the material installed such that there is provision for the material to "expand" when sat upon, while the GV's seats are simple flat panels. I'm even wondering if the leather seats are so firm because then the leather panels don't have to stretch so much.
 
We also find that the rear headrests leave depressions in the rear seat bottoms when the seatback is folded forward.
 
But, hey, it didn't cost as much as a Lexus.

#52 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [xostnot] by broncododge

Jan 12, 2007 (10:37 am)

Replying to: xostnot (Jan 11, 2007 10:09 pm)
Here Here! I agree that the Grand Vitara doesn't cost anywhere near a Lexus. The GV you bought may have been on a ship in the summer (most likely it was). With the windows closed in any car add solar heat and you can get incredible temperatures inside a vehicle. Not likely in December, but if the car was delivered to the dealership in August, or September, or even October, then the heat could have built up in the car. It is even worse in the Southern parts of this country. We got a swap from NC and the back top rear seats had been down and had melted into the lower rear seat! Had to reheat it to separate it and then they looked very baggy. Replaced it with a custom leather job for front and back. It really doesn't matter if someone is large or small, once the heat has built up and affected the leather the next person who sits on it will have a lasting impression-literally. I don't really think that it is the design of the seat, more the type of leather they chose to use... The headrests must be removed when you fold the rear seats forward-There is a button that removes them and you stow them on the floor in the space where your feet go normally. I have no idea why Suzuki chose the kind of leather that they did. The seats can be quite a problem. However, I have never seen a problem with the beige seats, only the charcoal. What color do you-have? Suzuki woman!

#53 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [broncododge] by xostnot

Jan 15, 2007 (10:18 pm)

Replying to: broncododge (Jan 12, 2007 10:37 am)
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.

#54 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [broncododge] by weezedog

Jan 17, 2007 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: broncododge (Jan 10, 2007 6:41 am)
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.

#55 of 122 Re: 2006 Grand Vitara vibration issue....... [weezedog] by loukywells

Jan 17, 2007 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: weezedog (Jan 17, 2007 1:58 pm)
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.

Messages Page 6 of 13

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