AI Damage2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara filed 161 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 161
- involving a crash
- 15
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 31% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 19% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 6% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Air bags: 50 complaints (31% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 30 complaints (19% of all).
- Electrical system: 26 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 22 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 10 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.7 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 161 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 50 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 26 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 9 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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!
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.
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 air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 13v405000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable.
Earlier today, 6 may 2011, my mother was beginning to drive out of the bank drive-thru window when her vehicle took off on its own until she was able to crash it against a wall to avoid impacting other cars and people that were in the area.
On february ,1st, 2009 , the left rear suspension knuckle broke while driving on interstate 10 going east near vidor, texas. While going ~ 60 m/hr. Lost control of the car and it was spinning on the freeway(2 lanes , construction zone).the car also had some minor damage to left front and rear right bumper due to…
On 03/16/07 while driving at a speed of 60 mph she tried to pass two vehicles on the expressway and the vehicle stalled. She stated that the engine accelerated, but instantly the vehicle lost power. She noticed that the engine light was on, but not sure if any other lights turned on.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,490 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Grand Vitara has 43 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 161, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
- Grand Vitara 1999108 sources
- Grand Vitara 200085 sources
- Grand Vitara 200138 sources
- Grand Vitara 200247 sources
- Grand Vitara 200329 sources
- Grand Vitara 20048 sources
- Grand Vitara 200758 sources
- Grand Vitara 200842 sources
- Grand Vitara 200914 sources
- Grand Vitara 201020 sources
- Grand Vitara 201111 sources
- Grand Vitara 201213 sources
- Grand Vitara 20134 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, exterior lighting, electrical system. Total complaints: 161. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (20%), airbag warning light (14%), warning lights, check engine (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.