MYRModel Year Report

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
RENDERED 2026-10-31T20:46:55.871Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
161
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

31% of complaints

Complaints per year

1999: 108 complaints 1999 2000: 85 complaints 2001: 38 complaints 2001 2002: 47 complaints 2003: 29 complaints 2003 2004: 8 complaints 2005: 1 complaint 2006: 161 complaints 2006 161 2007: 58 complaints 2008: 42 complaints 2009: 14 complaints 2009 2010: 20 complaints 2011: 11 complaints 2011 2012: 13 complaints 2013: 4 complaints 2013
1999: 108 complaints 1999 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 38 complaints 2001 2002: 47 complaints 2002 2003: 29 complaints 2003 2004: 8 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaint 2005 2006: 161 complaints 2006 161 2007: 58 complaints 2007 2008: 42 complaints 2008 2009: 14 complaints 2009 2010: 20 complaints 2010 2011: 11 complaints 2011 2012: 13 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013
1999: 108 complaints 1999 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 38 complaints 2001 2002: 47 complaints 2002 2003: 29 complaints 2003 2004: 8 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaint 2005 2006: 161 complaints 2006 161 2007: 58 complaints 2007 2008: 42 complaints 2008 2009: 14 complaints 2009 2010: 20 complaints 2010 2011: 11 complaints 2011 2012: 13 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013

2006: 161 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1999108
200085
200138
200247
200329
20048
20051
2006161
200758
200842
200914
201020
201111
201213
20134

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

31% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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!

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-11-25

Tl*- the contact stated that her 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, has had several safety issues since she's purchased the vehicle last year.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-03-21

Also filed under Electrical system

Frontal collision (50 MPH impact) air bags did not deploy. Engine cut-off did not work. Engine had to be turned off manually. Vehicles totaled by Missouri highway patrol.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-09-27

Exterior lighting

19% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

We have had severe headlight issues with this 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara since we purchased it. The wiring harness for the headlights continue to melt even after being replaced 3 times!

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-14

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

16% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIRE

Steering

14% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing pump and column.

CRASHINJURY

Vehicle speed control

6% · 10 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2006Complaint volume 161 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2006-02-13Power train05V548000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2008-01-07Power train07V554000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-06-28Steering10V250000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2013-06-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-09-30 Occupant Classification System Failure
  6. R
    2014-05-23Air bags13V405000 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-11-09Steering18V667000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2020-02-21Air bags, seats19V187000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V548000 · Power train
  • Recall 07V554000 · Power train
  • Recall 10V250000 · Steering
  • Recall 13V405000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V667000 · Steering
  • Recall 19V187000 · Air bags, seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.