Suzuki

Grand Vitara (2nd)

2006-2013 · Compact SUV · 4 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.4)
322 NHTSA Complaints
9 Recalls
4 Fire Reports
23 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (18.5% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

2.5-I6-Gas

2.5L 6-cyl
⚠️ Caution (3.4)
93 complaints 23.2 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
33
exterior
28
electrical
13
interior
11
other
8

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (33 complaints)
Exterior Issues (28 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (13 complaints)

Suzuki Grand Vitara Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (3.1)
60 complaints 8.6 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
20
electrical
19
exterior
16
brakes
6
interior
5

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (20 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (19 complaints)
Exterior Issues (16 complaints)

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.8)
46 complaints 9.2 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
20
electrical
10
exterior
7
transmission
7
engine
4

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (20 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
Exterior Issues (7 complaints)

2.7-I6-Gas

2.7L 6-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.3)
120 complaints 39.3 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
33
electrical
24
exterior
23
steering
16
interior
13

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (33 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (24 complaints)
Exterior Issues (23 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Suzuki Grand Vitara regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (106 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Exterior Issues (75 complaints)
exterior critical
Electrical System Issues (67 complaints)
electrical critical
Interior Issues (24 complaints)
interior critical
Steering Issues (17 complaints)
steering critical

Recalls (9)

19V187000Jul 2, 2019serious
Seats

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.

18V667000Sep 24, 2018serious
Steering

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.

17V085000Sep 1, 2017serious
Powertrain

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being able to be changed.

13V405000Jun 8, 2013serious
Air Bags

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.

11V055000Jan 26, 2011serious
Electrical System

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES; MODEL YEAR 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 17, 2010; MODEL YEAR 2010 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES; AND 2011 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 14, 2010. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP, HAS AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED INTERNAL SPRING THAT CAN BREAK DUE TO REPEATED STRESS. IF THE SPRING BREAKS, THE DRIVE BELT WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND CAN SLIP, CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. OR THE DRIVE BELT COULD COME OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO INCREASE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALSO CAUSE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATION TO RISE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING, OR CAN CAUSE THE CHARGING LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH CAN LEAD TO BATTERY DISCHARGE AND ENGINE STALL.

10V250000Sep 5, 2010serious
Steering

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.

10V392000Jan 8, 2010serious
Equipment

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 SX4, 2010 GRAND VITARA, AND 2009 THROUGH 2010 EQUATOR VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750, 760, AND 765 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

07V554000Jul 11, 2007serious
Powertrain

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.

05V548000Jan 11, 2005serious
Powertrain

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.

Alternatives in Compact SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

The 2006-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara has accumulated 322 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Exterior, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Suzuki Grand Vitara engine is most reliable?

The 2006-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.2L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2006-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good used car?

The 2006-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 322 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?

The 2006-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 322 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2006-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

There are 9 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2006-2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Before buying a used Suzuki Grand Vitara, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Exterior, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Grand Vitara?

The 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 322 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-20.

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