2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Routine

Owners filed 161 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
47,703 milesMedian miles at failure

132 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags31
308
Electrical System15
010
Steering14
000
Exterior Lighting13
000
Vehicle Speed Control9
901
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights6
000
Air Bags › Frontal5
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System4
000
Seats4
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification19V187000
Filed Mar 7, 201931,302 vehiclesSuzuki Motor Of America, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System18V667000
Filed Sep 25, 2018304 vehiclesSuzuki Motor Of America, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags13V405000
Filed Sep 6, 2013189,901 vehiclesSuzuki Motor Of America, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump10V250000
Filed Jun 9, 201046,549 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift07V554000
Filed Dec 7, 200740,424 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft05V548000
Filed Dec 1, 200595 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger
Filed Jul 20, 202656,000 milesAL

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.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 1, 2023TX

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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jan 11, 202215,000 milesLA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 31, 202056,675 milesFL

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

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 25, 2020146,500 milesCA

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!

Electrical System
Filed Apr 27, 2020135,000 milesTX

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.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 10, 2018PR

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 Bags
Filed Oct 20, 2017141,484 milesFL

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

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 7, 2017108,000 milesNY

RECORD ACCIDENT

Air Bags
Filed Jul 22, 2017CA

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?

Air Bags
Filed Jun 8, 2017OK

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.

Engine
Filed Apr 13, 201645,000 milesCA

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

Suspension
Filed Mar 1, 2016100 milesTN

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

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 19, 20152 milesAZ

STARTING AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN BLOWING LOW BEAM/DRIVING LIGHT BULBS EVERY 3 TO 5 MONTHS. SOMETIMES THE DRIVER-SIDE, SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE, SOMETIMES BOTH. THE BLOWN BULBS SEEM TO BLOW OUT DURING THE DAYTIME, WHEN THEY ARE ACTING AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS, BUT AREN'T NOTICED UNTIL NIGHT. THE DATE BELOW IS THE APPROXIMATE DATE OF THE FIRST OCCURRENCE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 19, 2015PA

VEHICLE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPEAR TO HAVE SHADOW - VISIBILITY ONLY 5 -10 FEET IN FRONT OF CAR. HAVE REPLACE HEADLAMP BUCKETS AND PROBLEM REMAINS. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT

Air Bags
Filed Nov 4, 2015OH

THE VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED TO A SUZUKI DEALER IN PUERTO RICO AND THEN SHIPPED BACK TO THE USA. ONCE SHIPPED TO PUERTO RICO, SUZUKI PROVIDES A SPECIFIC VIN AS VEHICLES EXPORTED OUT OF THE USA. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED BACK TO USA IN 2009 AND EVER SINCE I HAVE RECEIVED THREE SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATIONS TO HAVE DONE BY LOCAL SUZUKI DEALER. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VIN DOES NOT APPEAR IN THEIR SYSTEM AT ALL. I BEEN TOLD THEY WILL NOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE BEING THAT IT WAS SHIP FROM PUERTO RICO AND THE ONLY PLACE THEY WOULD FIX THE RECALL WOULD BE THERE. I HAVE CONTACTED CORPORATE SUZUKI MULTIPLE TIMES AND BEEN TOLD THEY CAN'T DO MUCH TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE DEALER AGAIN WHICH HAS REFUSED TO DO THE SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN MANY HOURS EXPLAINING MY SITUATION TO DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS FROM DEALER AND SUZUKI AND NEVER COME TO A SOLUTION AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS. I'M TOLD THAT VEHICLES SHIPPED TO PUERTO RICO (US TERRITORY) AND BACK TO US ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THESE SAFETY RECALLS DESPITE I AM RECEIVING THE NOTIFICATION TO MY OHIO ADDRESS. ITS BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS WE BEEN TRYING TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE AND ALWAYS GET THE RUN AROUND. ONE OF THE RECALL IS RELATED TO AIR BAGS AND DIFFERENTIAL TRAIN LOCKING DUE TO FAULTY SEAL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY DAUGHTER FOR SCHOOL AND WE'VE NOW HAVE RESTRICTED HER FROM DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONCERNED FOR THESE ISSUES. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY SUPPORT OR ASSISTANCE YOU MAY PROVIDE TO SOLVING THIS ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 20, 2015OH

RECALL

Electrical System
Filed Jul 25, 2015104,000 milesNY

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.

Steering
Filed Jul 25, 2015NY

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE DATING BACK TO 07. IN 2010 RECALL FOR STEERING/ TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS SERIOUS RECALL, THE AIR BAGS IN 2014 I HEARD ABOUT THE AIR BAGS BUT NEVER WAS NOTIFIED AS TO WHO HAD THE PARTS TO REPLACE IT. ARE THEY WAITING FOR A CASUALTY? I STILL HAVE PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR AND IT IS NOT WORTH JUNK PRICE!

Air Bags
Filed Jul 15, 201572,500 milesSC

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.

20 of 161 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20134200Routine
201213210Routine
201111400Routine
201020500Routine
200914400Routine
200842200Routine
200758300Routine
2006 — this page161630Routine
20051100Routine
20048200Routine
200329410Routine
200247430Routine
200138600Routine
200085520Routine
1999108520Routine

Compare every Grand Vitara year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 7, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.