Q: Steering locks then loosens back to normal

Hi there. There is indeed a recall for this exact issue - it is #06186 (http://www.suzuki-forums.com/2g-1999-2005-vitara-grand-vitara/22567-front-crossmember-corrosion-rust-through-recall.html) and it calls for crossmember replacement. I recommend you present this recall (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-to-do-if-your-car-is-recalled-by-jason-unrau) to the dealer so they can make things right.

Hello. It sounds like the spark plug wires (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-cable-spark-plug-wires-replacement), distributor cap (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/distributor-rotor-and-cap-replacement), and rotor button should be replaced. It may even be necessary to replace the distributor shaft as well. The throttle body should be cleaned (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clean-throttle-body) as well as...

Hi there. There may be two possibilities here for the P0430 code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0430-obd-ii-trouble-code-catalyst-system-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-2-by-spencer-clayton). The fact that the new bolts were installed can cause the computer to read differently so it may just need to adapt and reset. It is also...

Hi there - the lack of heater function could have 5 causes: the engine is not getting up to correct temperature (center of the gauge) due to a malfunctioning thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-thermostat), the heater control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-heater-control-valve) is not letting hot...

Hello there. Typically a buzzing sound is due to a poor electrical ground; however, does not commonly improve as the vehicle gets warm. Sometimes, a loose serpentine or drive belt, or damaged pulley's that drive these belts can create a...

You're probably right about the drive belt. The belt that turns the power steering pump also turns the water pump, so if it fails, it won't be long before the car overheats. The coolant will boil and you might see...

Code U1100 signifies a communications error which is either a module fault or a deficiency in the wiring harness between communicating modules. There's a possibility that a dying battery is a cause of such a code (and a cause of...

Hello, thank you for writing in. Without inspecting the vehicle, there is no way of knowing how badly the vehicle is damaged, nor how extensive the damage is. With that being said, the steering linkage and suspension are both susceptible...

Hi Ray. Thanks for contacting us today. When the engine gets hot and the heater blows cold air, it's usually caused by either an obstruction of debris inside the heater core. When a water pump or thermostat does not work,...