Suzuki Vitara
Fiat 1.6 Multijet base unit adopted by Suzuki as the 1.6 DDiS for the Vitara LY and S-Cross I. Ran trouble-free in the AUTO BILD 100,000 km long-term test; the Fiat foundation is considered robust. Main risks are DPF blockage on short trips and EGR carbon buildup.
Diesel SUV for long-distance commuters
The 1.6 DDiS at 88 kW is a fine touring companion: torquey, economical, and relaxed on the motorway. Compared with the Boosterjet, it lacks lightness.
Engine Weaknesses 4
The variable turbine vanes on the D16AA turbocharger can stick at high mileage due to oil residue deposits.
Symptoms: Sudden power loss, vehicle enters reduced-power mode only
The DPF on the D16AA blocks when used predominantly in urban driving, as exhaust temperatures rarely rise high enough to trigger active regeneration.
Symptoms: Engine warning light, power loss, increased fuel consumption, vehicle enters limp mode
The EGR valve on the D16AA is prone to carbon deposits, causing power loss and elevated emissions.
Symptoms: Power loss in the lower rpm range, engine hesitation, elevated emissions at MOT inspection
The lambda sensor on the D16AA is not particularly durable and needs replacing sooner than on comparable diesel engines.
Symptoms: Engine warning light, slightly elevated fuel consumption, OBD fault code for lambda sensor
Vehicle Weaknesses 6
On Vitara vehicles produced between October and December 2015, the locking coating on the rear axle bolts was not always applied correctly. The bolts can gradually come loose in service.
The vacuum pump check valve can swell due to engine and fuel additives and reduce brake servo assistance. Affects Vitara LY with K10C, K14C and K14D, production years 2015–2022.
A faulty radar brake assist module in approximately 3,000 vehicles can trigger unnecessary brake interventions and cause rear-end collisions.
The Vitara LY shows above-average fault rates for dipped headlights and indicators at its very first MOT. Headlight alignment and bulbs are frequently cited.
The rear brake discs on the Vitara LY see minimal use due to front-biased brake distribution and are prone to surface rust. On nine-year-old examples, brake line faults are also known.
The A/C compressor can lose refrigerant through leaks or fail mechanically at high mileage. Condenser damage from stone chips is an additional failure point.