# 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7 — SERVICE BRAKES
> NHTSA complaint `1360260` · 2017-03-02 · Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** SUZUKI
- **Model:** GRAND VITARA XL-7
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
- **Component:** SERVICE BRAKES
- **Miles at failure:** 15,000
- **Speed:** 5 mph
## Narrative
THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE AT THE PROPER ELEVATION TO PRESS THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH ONE FOOT.  BECAUSE IT IS REAR WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THE CAR SPEEDS UP WHEN  THAT HAPPENS.  THIS IS A TYPICAL ENGINEERING FLAW THAT HAPPENS WITH MANY VEHICLES ("HE THOUGHT HE WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE WHEN HE RAN INTO THE CROWD OF PEOPLE..."). THE FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES RELEASE WHEN THE REAR WHEELS WANT TO KEEP TURNING.  WITH REGULAR BRAKES, ONE CAN STILL OVERCOME THE FORCE OF THE ENGINE AND STOP A CAR.  I RAN INTO A HOUSE TRAILER BECAUSE OF THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE!  THE PROBLEM CAN BE ENGINEERED OUT.  I HAVE NOT YET FOUND A WAY TO DISSEMINATE THIS INFORMATION TO ANY NATIONAL SAFETY COMMITTEE.  IT IS PROBABLY A COMMON PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WHO USE ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER FOOT ON THE GAS.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*