SuzukiVitara2004Overview/suzuki/vitara/2004/base/

2004 Suzuki Vitara

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Vitara.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Suzuki Vitara is a compact SUV equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission, achieving EPA-estimated fuel economy of 17/20/18 mpg across city, highway, and combined cycles. This model year represented the second consecutive year of markedly improved owner satisfaction, matching the model's record-low complaint count of just one reported issue—concerning the engine and engine cooling system—while recording a single recall. The 2004 Vitara arrived as the final model year in a 1999-2004 production run characterized by steadily declining complaint levels, dropping from a peak of 50 in 1999 to minimal levels by this point, suggesting meaningful refinement in the platform. For researchers evaluating this generation, the 2004 stands as the culmination of that reliability trajectory, representing the most trouble-free model year in the Vitara's contemporary production history.

Model year200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque73 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/20/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length161.4 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase97.6 in
Curb weight3230 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 20 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 73 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.0-5.0
Power Steering FluidATF

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts73 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.77-.99 lbs
Oil TypePAG
Oil Capacity4.05 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature179 °F

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Drum Maximum Machining8.668 in
Drum Discard at-or-over8.746
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.669 in
Rotor Finish0.59 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Large hex head bolts:

138.5 ft. lbs.38.5 ft. lbs
261 ft. lbs.61 ft. lbs
3Loosen
438.5 ft. lbs.38.5 ft. lbs
576 ft. lbs.; Small hex head bolt: 7.576 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Belt (replace) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister (replace)
At 150,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Vitara sits at the end of a generation that saw complaints plummet from 50 in 1999 to just one in both 2003 and 2004, reflecting a dramatic improvement trajectory after a troubled launch year that also carried four recalls. Recalls remained sparse after 1999 — only 2001 and 2004 recorded one each — while technical service bulletins, which had fallen to two in 2002 and 2003, rose to seven in 2004, suggesting manufacturers were addressing emerging service patterns even as owner-reported problems hit the floor. The single 2004 complaint falls in Engine & Engine Cooling, with zero crash or fire reports, and the data does not specify the recall's scope or root cause. Compared to the prior two years, 2004 trades marginally higher dealer communication volume for the same ultra-low complaint count, placing it at the quietest point of the complaint arc but with slightly elevated service activity. For a buyer prioritizing minimal reported trouble, this is a strong candidate year; the recall and TSB uptick warrant a pre-purchase check for completed campaigns but do not overturn the favorable federal record.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
7
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V427000Fuel System, GasolineReported 30/08/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW -25 DEGREES CELSIUS, MOISTURE CAN FREEZE IN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. AS A RESULT, FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE MAY INCREASE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE START UP… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, THE FUEL DELIVER HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMP WITH AN IMPROVED CLAMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 7 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SUZ_0160082022-07-08SuspensionReminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension…
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
12010742004-01-01Engine And Engine CoolingSERVICE MANUAL UPDATE FOR RESEALING FRONT TIMING CHAIN COVER. *MR
1511075Engine And Engine CoolingECM REPROGRAMMING FOR POOR COLD START. *TT
1405175Engine And Engine CoolingMODIFICATION OF MAIN BEARING OIL CLEARANCE AND THE BEARING SELECTION PROCEDURE. 1999-2005…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Vitara. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2004 Vitara have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Vitara get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 20 highway / 18 combined mpg.