2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 161 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (23% of complaints); the 2007 and 2008 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Mar 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The contact stated that the door ajar warning light was constantly illuminated while the doors were securely closed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front passenger's side occupant classification system sensor was inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2026
“I bought this car used one year ago and have had to change the low beam lights twice and now they are out again. At night I drive with the high beams on and they are so weak no one can tell. Last month the engine started surging making the car try to take off wether in neutral, park or drive. I have to hold the brake very strongly to keep the car from taking off. This is extremely dangerous for obvious reasons and someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed because Suzuki will not acknowledge or fix this problem. This will be my last Suzuki product ever. I can't afford to get another vehicle right now so I'm having to drive this nightmare daily.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2022
“The contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the headlight bulbs several times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was involved in a front end collision where I t-boned another vehicle and my 2006 suzuki grand vitara became immobilized because the impact was so hard that the driveline broke. But the driver airbag did not deploy at all!”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contacts owns a 2006 suzuki grand vitara. The contact stated that the instrument cluster failed to provide the speedometer reading, fuel gauge reading, and ABS reading. The contact took the vehicle to germain toyota of naples (13315 tamiami trl n, naples, fl 34110, (888) 722-4941) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,675. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2020
“My 2006 suzuki grand vitara has blown at least 4 head lights since I bought the vehicle. Suzuki says that there is a problem with the transistor to the lights,in that it gives too much power to the lights, thus causing it to blow prematurely. They have not issued a recall, suzuki needs to do something asap!!”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2018
“Air bag wont go out on drivers side when seat occupied passenger seat belt wont goout when engage before in motion was offand on now stays on”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2017
“The headlights, parking lights and brake lights burn out constantly. Major safety hazard. I have had to replace the headlights, parking lights and brake lights every 3-4 months for the 3 1/2 years we have this vehicle. Very careful with bulb handling and installation. Bulb connections appear to be burned and melted.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2016
“My car can't seem to just blow 1 headlight , both go out at same time taking with it a small light as well. I have had the car for a little over 2 years and this is the second occurrence where the same thing has happened.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2015
“I have tried numerous times through safercar.gov to check if the airbags I have in my car are on the recall. I get no response. I would appreciate if you can check to see if my car's airbags are ok. A response would be greatly appreciated.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles. The power steering pump belt tension adjuster pulley has an outer portion that is made of plastic. Repeated heat stress can cause the plastic material to deteriorate, causing pieces of the pulley to break off.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump drive belt tension adjuster pulley, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is 4009. Note: The vehicles included in this recall were not previously recalled under 10V-250.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR MODEL YEAR 2006 GRAND VITARA AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 XL-7 VEHICLES. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR (IF EQUIPPED) HAS AN OUTER PORTION THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC. REPEATED HEAT STRESS CAN CAUSE THE PLASTIC MATERIAL TO DETERIORATE AND PIECES OF THE PULLEY CAN BREAK OFF.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVE BELT TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION. ' THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER "PARK" LOCK FUNCTION MAY BE INOPERATIVE DUE TO A STICKING SHIFT LOCK ARM. THE SHIFT LEVER MAY BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF "PARK" WITH THE KEY REMOVED AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFT LOCK MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RETAINER REAR DRIVE SHAFT MAY CRACK AND THE GEARS MAY GET STUCK DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE BY THE RETAINER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RETAINER REAR DRIVE SHAFT. SUZUKI WILL CALL OWNERS ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 15, 2005. FOLLOWUP LETTERS TO OWNERS WERE MAILED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Vitara by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?
NHTSA has 161 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The most complained-about area is air bags (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:hydraulic power assist system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.