2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Suzuki › Grand Vitara › 2006
These records cover every 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
6 recalls name the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
161 complaints15 involved a crash3 involved a fire12 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
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…
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
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…
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
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
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…
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
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
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 · Electrical system · Exterior lighting
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
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
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Steering · Structure › Body
Record accident
- Air bags
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…
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
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…
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
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
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
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
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 · Steering · Unknown or other
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…
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
Recall
- Steering
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!
- Electrical system
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.
- Air bags
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
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…
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
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…
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 defective engineering issue or related to ethanol added to the gas which IS the biggest nightmare ever for any engine and should be stopped immediately as any mechanic will tell you!! It was a money maker for the ultra rich and nothing to do with resolving emissions or anything else as a defective egr will spew more pollution than not having it at all! updated 09/21/15*lj
- Vehicle speed control
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 control
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…
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 not feel any compassion at all from suzuki.
- Electrical system
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…
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
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Occupant Classification System Failure
Suzuki Motor of America is conducting a safety recall to remedy the occupant classification system's (OCS) sensor mats in approximately 193,936 model year 2006-2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4 vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-405 for more details).The sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat can…
Suzuki Motor of America is conducting a safety recall to remedy the occupant classification system's (OCS) sensor mats in approximately 193,936 model year 2006-2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4 vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-405 for more details).The sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat can develop an electrical circuit disconnection as a result of repeated flexing of the seat from use of the seat.According to Suzuki, when the failure occurs, the OCS system, by design, will not suppress the frontal passenger air bag for a seated child or small-stature adult.A deploying passenger air bag can cause serious injury to such an occupant.The recall population excludes those vehicles that previously had proper remedies under the special coverage campaign for this issue (~11,600) that began in July 2012.The recall remedy will be to install a new front passenger seat cushion assembly that includes an improved OCS sensor mat and an OCS control module with updated algorithms designed to properly identify the type/size of the seated occupant.Consequently, this recall action will address various OCS related problems, including a programming error (associated with diagnostic trouble code B1318) related to detecting a change or shifting in load on the front passenger seat in the model year 2009 Grand Vitara and SX4 vehicles.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10178750, 10185778, 10200217, 10200123, 10206368, 10217021, 10250561, 10254251, 10263756, 10283309, 10285166, 10294320, 10316125, 10323718, 10324530, 10326910, 10332645, 10347204, 10348957, 10349038, 10350237, 10353604, 10354901, 10355400, 10364190, 10367631, 10369777, 10371056, 10373558, 10375165, 10375789, 10376071, 10376621, 10378154, 10380794, 10382860, 10392447, 10392434, 10392599, 10393975, 10395430, 10395602, 10395821, 10395983, 10398172, 10400092, 10400035, 10401106, 10401424, 10404772, 10405359, 10406459, 10407500, 10409412, 10409993, 10413235, 10418162, 10419237, 10419578, 10425035, 10425212, 10426703, 10434905, 10435090, 10435091, 10437600, 10437892, 10437994, 10438100, 10438501, 10438613, 10439357, 10439979, 10440088, 10442968, 10442759, 10442883, 10443173, 10443592, 10443594, 10444434, 10445034, 10445447, 10446215, 10446580, 10447689, 10448161, 10448446, 10448499, 10448554, 10449238, 10450746, 10451260, 10452961, 10453168, 10453403, 10453376, 10454445, 10454978, 10455231, 10455529, 10456043, 10456367, 10456407, 10459063, 10460417, 10460510, 10462016, 10463337, 10464941, 10464693, 10467988, 10468641, 10479583, 10479929, 10481120, 10484053, 10484863, 10486369, 10486729, 10487379, 10491755, 10499622, 10506034, 10508282, 10511057, 10511439, 10512962, 10521656, 10521779, 10523512, 10523931, 10524266, 10526435, 10533196, 10535513, 10537314, 10537619, 10543672, 10544287.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10216558Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
- 10152052This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.
- 10047119Suzuki: fuel gauge takes a long time moving, after fill up, because of two (2) different fuel meter modes, normal mode and refuel mode, for gauge movement. Models 2006-2008 grand vitara.
- 10044320Suzuki: the front passenger seat bottom cushion assembly has the sensor mat located within and the electric disconnection (open) will occur due to repeated flexing, that may develop. Updated 04/10/2013
- 10044319Suzuki: on certain vehicles, within the front passenger seat bottom cushion, the sensing sensor mat, an electric circuit disconnection may have developed, due to repeated flexing.
- 10044041Suzuki: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension for 'air bag' warning light illumination. Updated 7/25/12.
- 10035464Suzuki: correction of the terminal layout of an ignition switch illustration. Referencing the service manual for the terminal layout of the ignition switch described in the ignition switch inspection in section 9C, the pins are labeled incorrectly.
- 10023754Loose or noisy wheel hub front or rear.
- 10022791Dtc c1230 (transfer actuator circuit malfunction) detecting condition and troubleshooting.
- 10022653Engine rpm flare when shifting gears
- 10022373Service manual update. Differential carrier, differential cover, and differential bolts have been modified.
- 10022372Manual transmission slips out of 1ST and/or 2ND gear.
- 10021701Service manual update, additional caution for air bleeding of the clutch system hydraulic circuit.
- 10021360Tire pressure specification change.
- 10021138Slip light on after replacement of esp actuator assembly, service manual update.
- 10019615Hvac fan motor inoperative.
- 10019351Malfunction indicator lamp on; diagnostic trouble code p0456 (evaporative emission system leak detected).
- 10019166Automatic transmission harsh downshift.
- 10019164Service manual update: headlight bulb mounting.
- 10019163Service manual update: cranking system wiring diagram.
- 10018838Recall campaign ht differential bearing retainer replacement. A crack may be present on the left side bearing retainer of the rear differential assembly.
- 10017457Front differential rear mounting bracket and/or rear differential dynamic damper installation.
Every Suzuki Grand Vitara model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.