SuzukiGrand Vitara2006Overview/suzuki/grand-vitara/2006/base/

2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Grand Vitara.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is an SUV that came equipped with a five‑speed automatic transmission and EPA‑rated fuel economy of 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. Ownership records show 160 total complaints, the highest of the model’s 1999‑2013 span, with the majority tied to air‑bag issues and six recall actions. Consequently, the 2006 model year marks the peak complaint volume in the Vitara’s production history, a key reference point for assessing later reliability trends.

Model year201320122008200720062004200320022001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque73 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/22/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length168.9 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3638 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 22 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 73 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.2
Engine Coolant16
Engine Coolant Capacity16
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.0-5.0
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts73 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub160 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub160 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle61.5 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.275; Rear: 0.275 specification
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.120
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.984 in
Rotor Finish0.905 μin
Drum Maximum Machining10 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Large Hex Head Bolts:

138.5 ft. lbs.38.5 ft. lbs
261 ft. lbs.61 ft. lbs
3Loosen
438.5-38 ft. lbs.38.5–38 ft. lbs
576 ft. lbs.; Small Hex Head Bolt; 7.576 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miBody Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Hood Hinge (lubricate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 45,000 miTransmission Oil Cooler Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Belt (replace) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 120,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Grand Vitara sits at the peak of the federal complaint trend for this generation, with 160 complaints—a dramatic jump from the 1 complaint in 2005 and the 58 in 2007. Recall activity also spikes to six in 2006, up from four the year before and higher than the five recalls in 2005. Investigations and traffic safety bulletins rise modestly, with one investigation and 22 TSBs recorded in 2006 versus none in 2005. The most common complaint categories—air bags, exterior lighting, steering, and electrical system—mirror the broader 2006 complaint profile and suggest areas where owners should perform targeted checks. Compared to the steady decline in complaints after 2006, this year represents a regression in reliability. Consequently, a 2006 model may warrant a more thorough inspection before purchase.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
22
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
160
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 160 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags27
Exterior Lighting19
Steering16
Electrical System8
Vehicle Speed Control8
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting7
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Suspension4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V667000Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist SystemReported 25/09/2018

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… Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump drive belt tension adjuster pulley, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may…

19V187000SeatsReported 07/03/2019

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… Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 22 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SUZ_0160082022-07-08SuspensionReminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension…
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
TSB-37-071882012-11-05Fuel System, OtherSUZUKI: FUEL GAUGE TAKES A LONG TIME MOVING, AFTER FILL UP, BECAUSE OF TWO (2) DIFFERENT…
ABE-ZA-1204182012-07-25Air BagsSUZUKI: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 'AIR BAG'…
TSB-TS06-052122012-06-12Air BagsSUZUKI: THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM CUSHION ASSEMBLY HAS THE SENSOR MAT LOCATED…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Grand Vitara. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2006 Grand Vitara have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Grand Vitara get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.