VehicleVerdict

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 230 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.2 times the median Grand Vitara year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 15 Grand Vitara years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (49), lighting (31), and electrical system (29), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

230

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Grand Vitara years?

Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted230 complaints1999: 142 complaints2000: 106 complaints2001: 56 complaints2002: 63 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 11 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 230 complaints2007: 86 complaints2008: 55 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 33 complaints2011: 11 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 6 complaints
Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Vitara years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4921%
Lighting3113%
Electrical System2913%
Steering2210%
Engine115%
Seat Belts104%
Brakes104%
Seats104%
Speed Control104%
Other94%
Transmission94%
Suspension73%
Visibility & Wipers73%
Tires & Wheels63%
Body & Structure52%
Fuel System42%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V187000AirbagsMarch 7, 2019 · 31,302 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.

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.

18V667000SteeringSeptember 25, 2018 · 304 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Broken pieces of the pulley can get caught between the pulley and the drive belt, causing the drive belt to come off, resulting in a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

13V405000AirbagsSeptember 6, 2013 · 189,901 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that 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.

10V250000SteeringJune 9, 2010 · 46,549 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

BROKEN PIECES OF THE PULLEY CAN GET CAUGHT BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE DRIVE BELT, CAUSING THE DRIVE BELT TO COME OFF AND RESULTING IN THE DRIVER NEEDING INCREASED EFFORT TO STEER THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

07V554000TransmissionDecember 7, 2007 · 40,424 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN GIVE RISE TO INCREASED INCIDENTS OF CRASHES RESULTING FROM THE ROLLAWAY OF PARKED VEHICLES AS A RESULT OF INADVERTENTLY MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED.

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.

05V548000TransmissionDecember 1, 2005 · 95 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEARS LOCKING UP AND THE VEHICLE MAY BECOME DISABLED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I ENGAGED MY BRAKES AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT GOING ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN I WAS ABOUT 6 INCHES AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALK CURB (ABOUT 6 INCHES HIGH) WITH MY BRAKES APPLIED FULLY MY VEHICLE REVVED UP REALLY LOUD AND LUNGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED THROUGH A BRICK OFFICE BUILDING. I DID…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 9, 2011 · crash

WE HAVE HAD SEVERE HEADLIGHT ISSUES WITH THIS 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO MELT EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED 3 TIMES! THE DEALERSHIP OR SUZUKI MOTORS HAVE BEEN OF ANY HELP AND OFFER ZERO ASSISTANCE WITH THE PROBLEM. A QUICK SEARCH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 2, 2012 · fire

WE HAVE HAD SEVERE HEADLIGHT ISSUES WITH THIS 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO MELT EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED 3 TIMES! THE DEALERSHIP OR SUZUKI MOTORS HAVE BEEN OF ANY HELP AND OFFER ZERO ASSISTANCE WITH THE PROBLEM. A QUICK SEARCH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 2, 2012 · fire

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 6,500 MILES STEERING COLUMN. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR STEERING COLUMN BEING LOOSE. TOLD US THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY IT GOT LOOSE BUT THEY TIGHTENED UP. THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED ONTO LAP CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 1, 2007 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR DISPLAYED A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 18, 2009

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara — common questions

Is the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 230 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 15 Grand Vitara years. It is one of the Grand Vitara years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Grand Vitara problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (49 complaints), lighting (31 complaints), electrical system (29 complaints).

Does the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Suzuki Grand Vitara years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Vitara years to avoid are 2006, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2002, 2001. The cleanest record among Grand Vitara years belongs to 2005.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.