Recall 17V085 affects 791 2009-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles for gear shift rear shaft breakage. Repair is free at any franchised Suzuki dealer.
Suzuki is recalling 791 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles with manual transmissions because the gear shift rear shaft can break and stop the driver from changing gears. If the transmission cannot be shifted, crash risk increases, and Suzuki dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The gear shift rear shaft in a 2009-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara with a manual transmission is part of the linkage between the shift lever and the transmission. When you move the shifter, that shaft helps carry the motion to the transmission so the selected gear engages. The driver depends on that linkage to move cleanly from gear to gear.
On affected Grand Vitara vehicles, the rear shaft does not have enough strength for the job. The recalled part uses a round shaft shape, while the remedy part uses a square shaft shape. If the round shaft breaks, the shifter can no longer move the linkage correctly, and the driver cannot change gears.
There is no warning sign before failure. Treat a suddenly loose shifter, a shifter that will not select a gear, or a vehicle stuck in one gear as a sign that the shaft has failed and the transmission linkage needs dealer attention.
Who's affected?
Covers five model years of Grand Vitara SUVs with manual transmissions.
| 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara | manual transmission |
|---|---|
| 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara | manual transmission |
| 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara | manual transmission |
| 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara | manual transmission |
| 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara | manual transmission |
| Units affected | 791 |
The year and model narrow the group, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the transmission cannot be shifted, the driver has less control over gear selection, which increases the risk of a crash. Schedule the recall repair soon and use extra caution until it is done. Repair is free at any franchised Suzuki dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Suzuki dealer to schedule the free gear shift rear shaft replacement that fixes the manual transmission shift failure.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it, and reference recall number 17V085 when you call.
- Use caution until the repair is complete, and avoid driving if the transmission will not shift normally.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Suzuki technician replaces the gear shift rear shaft, the part that links the manual shifter to the transmission gear selection mechanism. If that shaft breaks, the shifter cannot change gears, so the repair replaces the recalled part rather than adjusting the linkage. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, and the dealer repair is available now.
Timeline
| February 9, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 24, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| February 24, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 1, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 3, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V085?
Recall 17V085 covers 791 2009-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles with a manual-transmission gear shift rear shaft that can break and prevent gear changes. Suzuki dealers replace the gear shift rear shaft for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Grand Vitara is included in recall 17V085. If it is, contact a franchised Suzuki dealer to schedule the gear shift rear shaft replacement. Reference recall number 17V085 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Suzuki will replace the gear shift rear shaft free of charge at a franchised Suzuki dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the transmission cannot be shifted if the gear shift rear shaft breaks. If you cannot change gears, vehicle control and traffic positioning are affected, which can increase the risk of a crash.
What if I bought my Suzuki Grand Vitara used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the vehicle was purchased. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Suzuki dealer and reference recall number 17V085 if your Grand Vitara is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V085000 |
|---|---|
| Suzuki customer service | 1-800-934-0934 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V085 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V085000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →