2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 14%of 161 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 14% of the 161 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.7l SUV on a highway when the power steering belt tensioner pulley lost it's outer ring without warning. The loss of this ring caused the belt to slip, resulting in a complete loss of steering, not just power steering, but of steering altogether because the belt slippage was causing intermittent pumping of the power steering pump, causing fluid cavitation and making the wheel impossible to turn. By sheer luck I managed to get the car off of the highway without crashing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10303622, filed 2010-02, 52,000 miles“Started my car and there was a loud odd noise coming from under the hood, after a little investigation, I found that the power steering tensioner (which on early 06 models such as mine was made from plastic) had cracked causing a loud noise as well as an end to my power steering. The car is without power steering. I called the local dealership and they are not going to fix it as it doesn't fall under warranty, however, upon further investigation this same issue has happened to multiple early model 06 Suzuki Grand Vitara owners. …”
NHTSA complaint #10267349, filed 2009-04, 55,000 miles“I was driving my 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.7l SUV -turning through a major intersection when the power steering belt tensioner pulley lost it's outer ring without warning. The loss of this ring caused the belt to slip, resulting in a complete loss of steering, not just power steering, but of steering altogether because the belt slippage was causing intermittent pumping of the power steering pump, causing fluid cavitation and making the wheel impossible to turn. By sheer luck I managed to get my vehicle to turn by almost hitting a car head -on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10320593, filed 2010-03, 41,400 miles“Getting off the freeway I experienced a major loss of power steering on my 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. I was barely able to muscle it to my office a few blocks away. In searching the web, I discovered there is a design flaw with the belt tensioner where a molded plastic outer ring is prone to failure. When this breaks, the belt becomes loose and looses its grip on the power steering pump. Sure enough, parts of the broken outer ring were found in the pan under the engine. Suzuki has corrected the problem on newer cars with an all metal pulley and it's an easy replacement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10323631, filed 2010-04, 32,750 miles“Brake pedal goes almost all the way to the floor before engaging and at times there is a grinding noise from the front of the vehicle. When I took it to get the brakes checked, the pads were fine, but one of the calipers was misaligned. When I took the Suzuki Grand Vitara in to get the recalled power steering tensioner pulley replaced, and for servicing, they loaned me a vehicle. I almost went though the windshield with the functional brakes of the loaner, actually any brakes on any other vehicle I drive. It almost feels as if the brake pedal will go all the way to the floor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10360221, filed 2010-10, 90,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V667000Sep 25, 2018Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles. The power steering pump belt tension adjuster pulley has an…Covers: Suzuki Grand Vitara 2006
- 10V250000Jun 9, 2010Suzuki 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…Covers: Suzuki Grand Vitara 2006, XL7 2005–2006
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
50 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsSeats
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology