2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls and problems

The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 6 safety recalls and 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Suzuki dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

161

Crashes / fires

15 / 3

Injuries / deaths

12 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls

Recall 19V-187: Air Bags, Seats

Reported Mar 7, 2019 · 31,302 vehicles affected · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V-667: Steering

Reported Sep 25, 2018 · 304 vehicles affected · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 13V-405: Air Bags

Reported Sep 6, 2013 · 189,901 vehicles affected · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 10V-250: Steering

Reported Jun 9, 2010 · 46,549 vehicles affected · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 07V-554: Power Train

Reported Dec 7, 2007 · 40,424 vehicles affected · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 05V-548: Power Train

Reported Dec 1, 2005 · 95 vehicles affected · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	50
Exterior Lighting	30
Electrical System	26
Steering	22
Seats	10
Vehicle Speed Control	10
Seat Belts	10
Power Train	9
Engine and Engine Cooling	7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	7
Suspension	7
Visibility	6

Most reported parts

Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 6
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 5
Air Bags › Frontal — 5
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 4
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 4
Suspension › Rear — 3
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler — 2
Steering › Column — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 47,703 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · at 56,000 miles · reported Jul 20, 2026

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 passengerâs 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 · reported Apr 1, 2023

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…

Exterior Lighting · at 15,000 miles · reported Jan 11, 2022

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.

Air Bags · at 146,500 miles · reported Nov 25, 2020

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 · at 135,000 miles · reported Apr 27, 2020

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.

Other Suzuki Grand Vitara years

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 200720062005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Suzuki Grand Vitara years · All Suzuki models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara: 19V-187 (air bags, seats), 18V-667 (steering), 13V-405 (air bags), 10V-250 (steering), 07V-554 (power train) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Owners report air bags problems most often (50 reports), followed by exterior lighting (30). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 47,703 miles.

Are Suzuki recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Suzuki dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.