Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
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.
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! …
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.
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.
I got a 2006 Grand Vitara brand new at first it was little things like my dome light switch breaking and the window controller becoming loss and after getting them fixed they break again a week latter then a sensor light comes on about the air bag and wont go off the worst thing is my air condition control only lets ac run cant turn it off and don't try to put the heat from you feet to face the air might just stop working then I started to have bearing issues that was a recall item but my dealership closed so I had to drive 47 miles drop it off and had to come back the next day to get it that was the first recall then my car started to make a weird noise I got the notice of another recall and my pulley broke and I cant drive my car 47 miles to get it fixed I asked if I just fix it my self will they refund me my money back for the part they said no and they wouldn't even ship the item to …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The contact stated that the bulbs in the headlights continuously fell; she had to put the bulb back in manually. The contact informed the dealer who stated that they would check the vehicle and informed her that the headlight sockets had melted. The contact replaced the sockets which melted again. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that the sockets would continue to melt even if she replaced them again. The mechanic advised her to contact the manufacturer. When she called the manufacturer, she was offered no assistance as the vehicle was outside the warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current mileage was approximately 40,000. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000. Updated 12/21/10 updated 12/29/10
Faulty low beam head light, both side were blow out or melting, one of the events was while I was driving at night. In first time, I call the service dealer and they said it was due to the use and time of the light on the vehicle. Because it was the first time I accepted their explanation. But, again at June they blow out or damage again, this time at night. I went to the service dealer and again they said the same reason that they gave me when I call. Again I accept, but they didn't change it. Again one week ago they blow out, then I decide to do this complaint. Everytime I change the lights I changes for the ones the manual said. Since the second event I saw some vehicles like mine with the same problem, the low headlight were blowout.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the front passenger air bag off indicator illuminated whenever a passenger was positioned in the front seat. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they informed the air bag sensor module would need to be replaced. The vehicle had been previously repaired for the similar defect in April of 2000; however the problem recurred. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. In addition, the headlight low beam bulbs were replaced fifteen different times due to the faulty design of the head lamp socket. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Headlight complaints in other Grand Vitara years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the lights of the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 19% of the model year's 161 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.