SUZUKI GRAND VITARA · model year

2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA

230 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006SUZUKIGRAND VITARA carries 230 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 5 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 GRAND VITARA is air bags with 40 filings, followed by exterior lighting (24) and electrical system (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2006 GRAND VITARA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

230
Complaints
17
Crashes
5
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

230 filings

Crashes Reported

17 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS40
EXTERIOR LIGHTING24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
STEERING18
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
SEAT BELTS9
SEATS8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS6
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4

Recalls (6)

18V66700025/09/2018

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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 brea

10V25000009/06/2010

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

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

07V55400007/12/2007

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

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 MA

19V18700007/03/2019

SEATS

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

13V40500006/09/2013

AIR BAGS

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, dur

05V54800001/12/2005

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

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.

Recent Complaints

20230401ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20230401EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

20230401VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

20220111EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

Mileage: 15,000

20201231ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 56,675

20201125CrashAIR BAGS

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!

Mileage: 146,500

20200427ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 135,000

20200427EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Mileage: 135,000

20180410AIR BAGS

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!!

20180410ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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!!

20180410EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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!!

20171020AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 141,484

20171020SEAT BELTS

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

Mileage: 141,484

20171007STRUCTURE:BODY

RECORD ACCIDENT

Mileage: 108,000

20171007ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

RECORD ACCIDENT

Mileage: 108,000

20171007STEERING

RECORD ACCIDENT

Mileage: 108,000

20170722AIR BAGS

A RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE OCS SENSOR MAT INSTALLED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH MAY FAIL DUE TO REPEATED FLEXING OF THE MAT FROM USE OF THE SEAT. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO LOCAL SERVICE CENTER TO MY AREA TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE NEAREST CONTRACTED SERVICE CENTER IS 60 MILES AWAY AND IN LOS ANGELES TRAFFIC, FREEWAY TIME ALONE IS A 3+ HOUR ROUND TRIP - NOT INCLUDING WAIT TIME FOR REPAIR. DO I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE AIRBAG EXPLODES AND DECAPITATES A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, PRIOR TO THE PART BEING TRANSFERRED TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER?

20170608AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR FOR THE AIR BAGS WAS PERFORMED TWO YEARS AGO. THE REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER (BIG RED SPORTS/IMPORTS, 418 N INTERSTATE DR, NORMAN, OK 73072, (405) 364-4400) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THE MANUFACTURER COULD PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

20160413ENGINE

DRIVER SIDE INTAKE MANIFOLD BUTTERFLY VALVE CAME LOOSE AND THE SCREWS WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. RECENTLY THE BUTTERFLY ITSELF GOT STUCK AND LEANED OUT AND RUINED MY O2 SENSOR AND IDLE AIR CONTROLLER

Mileage: 45,000

20160301SUSPENSION

WEARS TIRES OUT WITHIN INSTALLING WITHIN 8 MONTHS. VIBRATES VERY BAD AN HAS DONE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2006.

Mileage: 100

Compare 2006SUZUKIGRAND VITARA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA have?
The 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA has 230 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 5 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA?
Yes, the 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA?
The most-complained component for the 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA is AIR BAGS with 40 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.