2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara Service and Repair Manual

Just one trim remained for 2003, when Suzuki dropped the Limited and merged the JLS and JLX into a single well-equipped Grand Vitara. The four-door sport utility still pairs its 165-horsepower 2.5L V6 with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic and two- or four-wheel drive, and it gained a redesigned dashboard and console, a seven-speaker CD stereo, alloy wheels and an overhead console. This factory service and repair manual reflects those 2003 changes in its procedures, specifications, torque values, wiring diagrams, diagnostics and maintenance schedules.

Engines covered

• 2.5L V6 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sport utility

Trims covered

• Base

Known issues on the 2003 Grand Vitara. Four recalls are on federal record. In one, the windshield may not be properly bonded because of poor adhesion between paint layers, a failure of FMVSS 212. In another, the plastic accelerator cable casing cap on the firewall can crack and fray the inner cable, which may then stick. In a third, moisture can freeze in the fuel pressure regulator below about -25°C, raising pressure at start-up and leaking fuel at the pipe-to-hose joint. In a fourth, front brake discs on models with 16-inch wheels can break when the brakes are held on long, very steep paved descents. Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control and the electrical system. The body glass, throttle cable, fuel system and brake chapters of this manual cover the parts these campaigns involve.