Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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! The dealership or Suzuki motors have been of any help and offer zero assistance with the problem. A quick search online of Grand Vitara headlight issues will get thousands of results. I am confident that Suzuki is well aware of this issue, but simply refuses to issue a recall notice because it will cost them many millions of dollars in repairs. My headlight caught fire driving down the interstate and I could have been killed due to their faulty equipment. This is a problem that a gov't agency needs to make Suzuki fix. This could cause accidents and could be fatal if headlights are bursting in to flames. I suggest anyone who has headlight harness sockets that are melting...not drive the vehicle! …
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, [phone]) 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.
I have a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. I have changed the driver's side low beam bulb four times and the passenger's side two times. I recently replaced the fan motor twice and the resistor once. I had to replaced the erg after my check engine light came on. Now they are saying there is exhaust in my coolant system. The only part the warranty cover was one fan motor.
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.
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.
Tl*- the contact stated that her 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, has had several safety issues since she's purchased the vehicle last year. The first problem was her air bag sensor; she stated that when there is someone sitting on the passenger front side the air bag sensor constantly turns on and off. She has stated that sometimes if you sit in the seat a certain way the airbag sensor works. She has taken the vehicle to the dealership and they changed the computer in the vehicle on one occasion. The seat continued to have the same problem and she took the vehicle back and they changed the seat sensor and that didn't work. The stated that they have also re calibrated the seat and the seat sensor was still malfunctioning. 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. …
My vehicle (in addition to headlights that burn out frequently), has had the airbag sensor control light and seat belt light illuminated off and on for the past few months, accompanied by the high pitched beep-beep-beep ...alarming, of course. Mine also came on a little of 54,000 mile. As it is intermittent, and I am generally in the vehicle alone, I haven't had it looked at or replaced. This will happen when no one and/or nothing is on the front seat. Various speeds (from 35 MPH to freeway speeds). E lights for the front passenger seat airbag and seatbelt are constantly on. They came on at approximately 56000 miles. I was told by Suzuki of nashville that it was possibly the sensor in the front passenger seat, but not sure. Cost of $2700 to repair. Also I was told that they do not know if the airbags will deploy or if the seat belt will catch when brakes are activated. …
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.
I have had to replace the low beam halogen 6 times (4 driver-side; 2 passenger-side) prior to 2013. Now the low beams will have had to be replaced 8 times due to both bulbs dying after rolling over 2 speed bumps in a parking lot. Nearly caused several low-speed accidents when other drivers were backing their cars out. At least the high beams and fog lights have been flawless. Repairpal: "there are many reports of low beam head light bulbs burning out prematurely. As of this writing Suzuki has not released a service bulletin addressing this issue..." http://repairpal.com/low-beam-headlight-131.
Electrical complaints in other Grand Vitara years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 16% of the model year's 161 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.