2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Routine

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

Avoid One of the Suzuki Grand Vitara years to avoid: 3.1× the complaints of a typical Grand Vitara year. Which Suzuki Grand Vitara years to avoid →

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

132 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

41 of the 161 complaints (25%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags31
308
Electrical System15
010
Steering14
000
Exterior Lighting · headlights13
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration9
901
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes6
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · headlights6
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags5
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.

All 6 campaigns on file, newest first.

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 9, 201590,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS), THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND COULD DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 25, 2015180,000 milesFL

I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO A SUPER HIGHWAY WHEN MY VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I PUT MY ENGINE SCAN ON THE COMPUTER AND IT STATED EGR VALVE....I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE BEEN A P0401 CODE. I ORDERED A NEW EGR VALVE AND REPLACED IT ALONG WITH NUMEROUS GASKETS AND CLEANED EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE MANUAL......WHICH BY THE WAY, IS THE $100 SHOP SERVICE MANUAL THE DEALERSHIP USES! IT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS TIME PERIOD AND THEN BEGAN ALL OVER AGAIN. I USE PREMIUM SHELL GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE AND DO PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ON A REGULAR BASIS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE MANUAL. I HAVE DONE SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE HOWEVER, SUZUKI HAS NOT RESPONDED WITH A SOLUTION. I SEE FORD AND SOME OTHERS HAD THIS SIMILAR COMPLAINT AND REDESIGNED THEIR EGR VALVES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. ALSO, I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL SUZUKI RECALLS HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO SUZUKI SERVICE CENTERS IN AMERICA NOW TO GET THESES ISSUES RESOLVED. THE LATEST RECALL WAS SENT TO ME FROM SUZUKI STATING THE ISSUE AND THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY WHERE TO GET IT RESOLVED......SOON?? NEVER HEARD ANOTHER WORD! THIS IS LIKE 2-3 RECALLS NOW.....AIR BAGS, POWER STEERING PULLEY, AND SEVERAL OTHERS. I DID HAVE THE ABS BRAKE SENSORS AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCK ISSUES RESOLVED AT THE DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE OF THE NEW VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE REST HAVE BEEN UNRESOLVED! THIS EGR VALVE IS EITHER A DEFECT

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed May 4, 201569,500 milesFL

MY VEHICLE WAS AT A STANDSTILL AT A RED LIGHT. I HAD THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHILE WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR INSTANTANEOUSLY SPED FORWARD AT AN UNCONTROLLABLE HIGH RATE OF SPEED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 3, 201535,000 milesCA

MY WIFE AND I JUST LEFT MY MOTHER'S CONDOMINIUM PREMISES, I TURNED RIGHT ON GENEVA AVENUE IN SAN FRANCISCO. AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT 23 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN! THE CAR TOOK OFF, THE ENGINE REVVED UP, BY IT SELF AND SPED UP, EVEN ME MY RIGHT FOOT STEPPING AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKES! I STEERED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT I NEEDED TO HIT THE BUMPER OF A PARKED CAR IN ORDER TO STOP. IN MY OPINION, MY WIFE AND I WERE SUBJECTED BY THIS CAR INTO A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I LEFT A NOTE AND MY PHONE NUMBER ON THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR I HIT, APOLOGIZED, AND ASKED THE DRIVER TO CALL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I THOUGHT THE FRIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE WAS OVER! AFTER I LEFT MY NOTE FOR THE DRIVER OF THE PARKED CAR I HIT, WE DECIDED TO PROCEED. AFTER HALF A BLOCK, THE ENGINE POWERED UP BY ITSELF, AGAIN, AND WAS LAUNCHING FORWARD. I MANAGED, WITH ALL THE FORCE I COULD MUSTER, TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AND STOP ON A RED ZONE. WE DECIDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOMETOWN, 44 MILES AWAY. THE 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA SHOULD BE EXAMINED THOROUGHLY BY THE MANUFACTURER IN MY OPINION, CORRECT THIS HUGE PROBLEM BEFORE IT KILLS. BETTER YET, IT SHOULD BE BOUGHT BACK BY THE MANUFACTURER. OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT BE DRIVING AT 45 MILES, NOT 23, BY THE SIDE OF THE CLIFF. I ADVISED SUZUKI USA ABOUT THIS. THE MATTER IS PENDING. I WAS TOLD NONCHALANTLY BY A RICHARD TRAVIS THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE EXAMINED. THEY WILL TRY TO 'DUPLICATE THE HARROWING EXPERIENCE. I DID

Electrical System
Filed Feb 22, 2015GA

MY WIFE'S VEHICLE IS SO DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS BULBS. SUCH A SMALL COMPACT AREAS. YOU CAN BARELY FIT YOUR HAND IN TO REMOVE THE VERY SMALL METAL CLIP. WITHOUT SEEING WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I'VE ACTUALLY BROKE THE CLIP TRYING TO REMOVE IT. NOW I HAVE BUY THE WHOLE HEADLAMP INSTEAD OF REPLACING WHAT WAS BROKEN. NOW WHEN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLES HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT MY WIFE HAD SOMEONE LOSE TO REPLACE IT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY BROKE THE CLIP ALSO. IT SHOULDN'T BE SUCH A HASSLE TO SIMPLY CHANGE YOUR BULBS ON A VEHICLE. ON ANOTHER NOTE, TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLAMPS YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE WHOLE FRONT GRILL AND THE FRONT LOWER BUMPER. TOTALLY CRAZY. WHO EVER ENGINEERED THIS IDEA SURELY DIDN'T THINK IT THROUGH. PLEASE HAVE THIS VEHICLE RECALLED FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 6, 201585,000 milesAZ

WHILE DRIVING, BELT TENSIONER SEIZED BREAKING BELT AND OVER HEATING CAR. BOTH BELT TENSIONERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING/FAN TENSIONER. NOT FOR THE WATER PUMP/ALTERNATOR PULLEY/TENSIONER.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 2, 201570,000 milesCO

I HAVE A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. I HAVE CHANGED THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM BULB FOUR TIMES AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TWO TIMES. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE FAN MOTOR TWICE AND THE RESISTOR ONCE. I HAD TO REPLACED THE ERG AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS EXHAUST IN MY COOLANT SYSTEM. THE ONLY PART THE WARRANTY COVER WAS ONE FAN MOTOR. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 9, 201445,000 milesTX

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE INTERMITTENTLY GONE OUT SINCE 2009. I REPLACED THE BULBS TWICE BEFORE I REALIZED THE BULBS WERE GOOD, BUT THE SOCKET WAS BAD. SOMETIMES THEY WORK. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. THEY HAVE ALSO GOTTEN EXTREMELY DIM. MY HUSBAND WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND ME AT NIGHT IN OUR SUZUKI AND I HAD TO TELL HIM TO TURN ON HIS HIGH BEAMS BECAUSE ONE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AND THE OTHER WAS BARELY VISIBLE. THE HIGH BEAMS WEREN'T AS BRIGHT AS HIGH BEAMS SHOULD BE. IT SIMPLY LOOKED AS IF HE HAD HIGH INTENSITY BULBS OR HID BULBS. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 29, 2014TX

I HAVE REPEATEDLY CONTACTED CLAY COOLEY SUZUKI IN ARLINGTON TX BECAUSE I RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE , RECALL IDENTIFICATION CODE "VD". I CALLED THEM ON 8/20 AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE ABOUT 2 WEEKS UNTIL THE PARTS CAME IN. I HAVE TRIED REPEATEDLY TO CALL THEM, ONLY TO BE PUT ON HOLD UNTIL I COULD NOT HOLD ANY LONGER. MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER SAFETY LIGHT IS ON AS WELL. THIS IS THE WORST DEALERSHIP IN THE WHOLE ARLINGTON AREA, AND I AM SO REGRETFUL I EVER WENT TO THEM TO BUY THIS VEHICLE. HOW CAN I GET THIS SAFETY PART FOR MY VEHICLE BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS? I HAVE WAITED FOR OVER 2 MONTHS NOW. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 25, 2014MA

CAR IS ABANDONED. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 24, 201415,000 milesSC

HEADLIGHT BULBS CONSISTENTLY FAIL. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS 6 TIMES OVER THE LIFETIME OF THIS VEHICLE. I LIVE IN A DARK LIGHTED AREA IF MY BEAMS FAIL I MAY INDEED CRASH INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR SIDE WOODS. I HAVE BEEN USING ONLY HIGHBEAMS DUE TO THE INCIDENTS. PULLED AWAY CLIP IT IS MELTED REPLACED ONCE. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Oct 14, 20144,150 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,150.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Oct 2, 201489,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE, BUT IT WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT THAT WAS LIT. UPDATED 08/26/15. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Sep 4, 201464,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 22, 2014159,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 19, 201480,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOW BEAM BULBS WERE REPLACED SIX TIMES BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 201485,000 milesOH

AFTER STARTING UP MY VEHICLE ON A COLD MORNING THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK IMMEDIATELY. THE FIRST TIME I HIT THEM AFTER PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR AND MOVING THEY DID NOT STOP THE CAR. I STARTED TO ROLL THROUGH THE STOP SIGN, BUT PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND STOPPED. THIS ALSO OCCURRED ON VERY COLD EVENING AT WORK THE TEMPERATURE WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND 10 DEG F. THIS TIME I HAD TO PULL THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. AFTER PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND LETTING THE CAR WARM UP IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 2, 201420,000 milesNY

HEAD LIGHTS BURN OUT EVERY 4 MONTHS DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 17, 201383,000 milesNY

I LOST BOTH MY HEADLIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME. THE FOG LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY CAME ON, BUT BY THE NEXT MORNING I HAD NEITHER. FOG LIGHTS FINALLY RETURNED. EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE WHEN I EXIT MY CAR THE INTERIOR LIGHT GOES OFF AS I HAVE HAD TO TURN IT OFF MANUALLY AS NOT TO RUN MY BATTERY DOWN. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING AIR BAG AND ELECTRICAL BUT I FEEL THERE IS MORE GOING ON IN THE ELECTRICAL . IT COST ME OVER A $100 LAST TIME FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 17, 201375,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,600.

Suspension
Filed Oct 1, 20131,000 milesCA

WE PURCHASED A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA LUXURY IN 2006. WE HAD THE CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND NOTICED THE BACK TIRES WERE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL, ALSO THERE WAS THIS GRINDING SOUND WHEN YOU BRAKE, IT WAS SPORADIC. FROM 2006 TILL 2012 WE WERE GIVEN DOZENS OF REASONS WHY AND SOLUTIONS FOR A COST, NONE OF THEM FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE LAST COMPLAINT IN 2012 WE REFUSED TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP (ONE OF THE TWO IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT WOULD STILL ALLOW YOU TO BRING IN A SUZUKI) UNTIL WE WERE GIVEN A ANSWER, WE WERE TOLD IT IS A INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE? OVER THE YEARS THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED SO MUCH I CANT COUNT. IS IT THE ESP SYSTEM? AS TIME HAS PASSED IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN LOUDER. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN, WE JUST WANT A ANSWER! SUZUKI KNOWS WHAT IT IS AND THEY ARE NOT TELLING ANYONE, THIS IS NOT ONLY IRRESPONSIBLE IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 16, 201394,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE YEARS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 10V250000 (STEERING), THE STEERING PULLEY BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PULLEY REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE STEERING PULLEY AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO CALL A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 15, 2013134,500 milesHI

NOTICE WHILE DRIVING THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON SHOWING THAT MY PASSENGER WASN'T BUCKLED IN EVEN IF THE SEAT BELT WAS ON AND THAT AIR LIGHT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS IF THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT OR EVEN IF NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. SEAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY BACK IN 2008, COVERED BY CAR WARRANTY BUT NOT SURE IF IT WILL BE COVERED THIS TIME AGAIN AS I HAVE 134,000 MILES ON THE CAR ALREADY. WAITING FOR RESPONSE FROM DEALER ABOUT THE SITUATION. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 23, 201368,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Seats
Filed Jul 19, 201389,000 milesNY

PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATBELT LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 8, 201371,000 milesPA

HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO THEM BURNING OUT. HAVE CHECKED SOCKET CONNECTION AND FOUND THAT THERE THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE METAL CLIP IS MELTING. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BUT THEY WILL REPLACED FOR PRICE. THEN CONTACTED SUZUKI SPOKE TO A VERY RUDE WOMEN WHO LOOKED UP GRAND VITARA AND SAID THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEADLIGHT PROBLEM AND WHEN I SAID THAT THERE WERE ONLINE COMPLAINTS SHE SAID DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT IS ONLINE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 7, 201332,000 milesCA

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HALOGEN 6 TIMES (4 DRIVER-SIDE; 2 PASSENGER-SIDE) PRIOR TO 2013. NOW THE LOW BEAMS WILL HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 8 TIMES DUE TO BOTH BULBS DYING AFTER ROLLING OVER 2 SPEED BUMPS IN A PARKING LOT. NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL LOW-SPEED ACCIDENTS WHEN OTHER DRIVERS WERE BACKING THEIR CARS OUT. AT LEAST THE HIGH BEAMS AND FOG LIGHTS HAVE BEEN FLAWLESS. REPAIRPAL: "THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT BULBS BURNING OUT PREMATURELY. AS OF THIS WRITING SUZUKI HAS NOT RELEASED A SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE..." HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/LOW-BEAM-HEADLIGHT-131. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 7, 201347,703 milesCA

A HOT DAY OR ANY BAG WEIGHING OVER 5 LBS. WILL TRIGGER THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS PROBLEM IS TO PERMANENTLY BUCKLE THE PASSENGER SEATBELT. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 25, 201345,000 milesTX

HAVING TO REPLACE MY HEADLAMP BULBS EVERY FEW MONTHS. DRIVER'S SIDE AND THEN PASSENGER SIDE BACK AND FORTH BACK AND FORTH SINCE 2009. THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS AND APPARENTLY THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURING SUZUKI!!!! GIVE EAR TO THESE COMPLAINTS AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE HEED AND ACTION PLEASE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 25, 201388,500 milesPA

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE DASH AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. NOW THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT ANY TIME WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 161, newest first, 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.