Total Complaints
230 filings
SUZUKI GRAND VITARA · model year
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.
Total Complaints
230 filings
Crashes Reported
17 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 40 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 24 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23 |
| STEERING | 18 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 10 |
| SEAT BELTS | 9 |
| SEATS | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 7 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 6 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 5 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 4 |
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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!!
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!!
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!!
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
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
RECORD ACCIDENT
Mileage: 108,000
RECORD ACCIDENT
Mileage: 108,000
RECORD ACCIDENT
Mileage: 108,000
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?
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.
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
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
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.