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Model year record

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls & problems

The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 6 safety recalls and 161 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (50 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints161filed by owners
Crashes · fires15 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths12 · 0reported in complaints
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsMar 7, 2019

Sensor › Occupant classification

Recall 19V18700031,302 vehicles

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.

Components: Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification; Seats

SteeringSep 25, 2018

Hydraulic power assist system

Recall 18V667000304 vehicles

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.
Air bagsSep 6, 2013

Air bags

Recall 13V405000189,901 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.
SteeringJun 9, 2010

Hydraulic power assist › Pump

Recall 10V25000046,549 vehicles

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.
Power trainDec 7, 2007

Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift

Recall 07V55400040,424 vehicles

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.
Power trainDec 1, 2005

Driveline › Driveshaft

Recall 05V54800095 vehicles

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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk18.5%

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 4-DR

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Grand Vitara

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Grand Vitara AWD

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Grand Vitara

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Grand Vitara XL7

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Grand Vitara AWD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Grand Vitara XL7

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Grand Vitara XL7 4WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Grand Vitara XL7 4WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module5051859,500 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights3001045,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Wiring › Interior/under dash2612059,000 mi
SteeringColumn; Hydraulic power assist › Pump2210352,000 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler1000041,701 mi
Vehicle speed control1090155,000 mi
Seat beltsRear/other › Buckle assembly1000071,250 mi
Power trainAxle assembly › Axle shaft; Driveline › Driveshaft900058,900 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys700019,942 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic700012,000 mi
SuspensionRear; Front710015,000 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor600059,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations