NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 161 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Suzuki dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara owner complaints

Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, describing incidents dated January 6, 2006 to July 13, 2026.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 50 complaints
Exterior Lighting 30 complaints
Electrical System 26 complaints
Steering 22 complaints
Engine 11 complaints
Seat Belts 10 complaints

Of the 161 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 161 complaints, owners report 12 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11751603 · Filed July 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 passenger’s side occupant…
ODI #11514906 · Filed April 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…
ODI #11447091 · Filed January 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…

Read all 161 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara mileage at failure

131 of the 161 complaints on file for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Air Bags	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–70,000 miles	Based on 37 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE13-021: Occupant Classification System Failure
Closed September 30, 2013
- Recall 13V-405

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Passenger Seat Occupant Detection System may Fail

NHTSA #19V187000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2019 · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 31,302 vehicles

Repair completion: 18.31% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Suzuki campaign 4011, 4012 · Owners notified February 21, 2020 · Vehicles built May 24, 2005 – May 31, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Power Steering Tensioner Pulley Damage

NHTSA #18V667000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported September 25, 2018 · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 304 vehicles

Repair completion: 11.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Suzuki campaign 4009 · Owners notified November 9, 2018 · Vehicles built May 23, 2006 – June 16, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat

NHTSA #13V405000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported September 6, 2013 · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 189,901 vehicles

Repair completion: 32.57% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Suzuki campaign VD · Owners notified May 23, 2014 · Vehicles built May 24, 2005 – May 31, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Note: Vehicles which previously had a countermeasure occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat installed under the special coverage campaign conducted by Suzuki distributors in the United States are not affected by this recall.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

POWER STEERING TENSIONER PULLEY DAMAGE

NHTSA #10V250000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist — Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported June 9, 2010 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 46,549 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign SB · Owners notified June 28, 2010 · Vehicles built April 28, 2005 – May 29, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI SAFETY RECALL NO.SB.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

PARKING LOCK FUNCTION SHIFT LEVER/FMVSS 114

NHTSA #07V554000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Lever and Linkage — Column Shift · NHTSA notice

Reported December 7, 2007 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 40,424 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign PE · Owners notified January 7, 2008 · Vehicles built through August 1, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. PE.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

RETAINER REAR DRIVE SHAFT

NHTSA #05V548000 · Power Train — Driveline — Driveshaft · NHTSA notice

Reported December 1, 2005 · AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.

Potentially affected: 95 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign HT · Owners notified February 13, 2006 · Vehicles built August 23, 2005 – September 15, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN LEAD TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEARS LOCKING UP AND THE VEHICLE MAY BECOME DISABLED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SUZUKI RECALL NO. HT.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION?S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

19% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

161 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Air Bags

ODI #11751603

Incident: July 13, 2026 · Filed: July 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 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; Exterior Lighting; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11514906

Incident: March 15, 2022 · Filed: April 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 vehicle right now so I'm having to drive this nightmare daily.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11447091

Incident: January 11, 2022 · Filed: January 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.

Electrical System

ODI #11385785

Incident: November 1, 2020 · Filed: December 31, 2020

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 Bags

ODI #11376264

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: November 21, 2020 · Filed: November 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; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11322476

Incident: November 10, 2016 · Filed: April 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.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Air Bags

ODI #11084290

Incident: April 1, 2018 · Filed: April 10, 2018

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; Seat Belts

ODI #11035225

Incident: July 4, 2017 · Filed: October 20, 2017

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

Steering; Structure; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11032173

Incident: October 3, 2017 · Filed: October 7, 2017

RECORD ACCIDENT

Air Bags

ODI #11010093

Incident: October 1, 2013 · Filed: July 22, 2017

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?

Other Suzuki Grand Vitara model years

Check your 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Suzuki Grand Vitara at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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