2006 Suzuki Xl-7 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Suzuki Xl-7, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1027.0%
- Steering513.5%
- Engine38.1%
- Brakes38.1%
- Electrical38.1%
- Interior & seats25.4%
- Driver assistance25.4%
- Powertrain (other)25.4%
- Suspension25.4%
- Tires & wheels12.7%
- Body & structure12.7%
- Transmission12.7%
- Fuel system12.7%
- Other / unspecified12.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WENT OUT TO START MY VEHICLE ONE MORNING. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION ON, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAME ON, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOTIFICATION LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. AFTER CALLING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO WORKS ON SUZUKIS HERE, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS M/M/Y OF VEHICLE, AND THAT THE REPAIR IS BETWEEN $1.5K-$2K. MY VEHICLE IS NOT OLD, ABUSED, NOR HAS IT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WITH THE MILES AT APPROX 61,000... WHY IS THERE A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING MY AIRBAG SYSTEM? AFTER DIGGING AROUND ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS M/M/Y VEHICLE DOES, IN FACT, HAVE A LARGE COMPLAINT AGAINST IT REGARDING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. MOST SPECIFICALLY THE EXACT ISSUE I AM HAVING. IN LIGHT OF THE MASSIVE AIRBAG RECALL ISSUE, ONE WOULD ASSUME SAFETY IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
SUZUKI HAS NOT PROVIDED INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR VEHICLES FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL. AS A 71 YEAR OLD, WEIGHING ONLY 90 POUNDS, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS IN MY CAR. SINCE SUZUKI PULLED THEIR AUTO UNIT OUT OF THE US A FEW YEARS AGO, THOSE OF US WHO PURCHASED A SUZUKI HAVE BEEN LEFT HANGING HIGH AND DRY.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN HOME AND I HEARD A THUDDING IN THE ENGINE LIKE SOMETHING WAS BREAKING. THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT HOT INSTANTLY AND I TRIED TO CHANGE LANES TO PULL TO A STOP TO LOOK AT IT. WHEN I STOPPED AND TRIED TO TURN THE CORNER, I FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I COULDN'T TURN PROPERLY AND WAS TURNING WIDE INTO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE OF THIS. MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WENT INTO MOTION AND NOW I HAVE TO CLICK THE BUTTON TO BE ABLE TO REVERSE OR STEER PROPERLY (SO THAT I'M NOT ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SETTING) BUT THE LIGHT FOR THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE BLINKS. MY BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI XL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH TO LANES, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE THEN DRIFTED ABNORMALLY TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC WHAT CAUSED THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MILES. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 210,000 MILES AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED SO OFTEN AND I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES AND FROM OTHER SOURCES.
AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP IN TRAFFIC BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, ATTEMPT NORMAL ACCELERATION TO CONTINUE IN TRAFFIC FLOW. VEHICLE SPEED THEN STALLS AT UNDER 25 MPH WITH RPMS GREATER THAN 3.5 AND ENGINE ROARING. PULLED OVER TO CURB AND PARKED. WITH VEHICLE IN PARK , REVVED ENGINE TO OVER COME STALL. WHEN TAKING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK IT JUMPED FORWARD AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN HOME AND I HEARD A THUDDING IN THE ENGINE LIKE SOMETHING WAS BREAKING. THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT HOT INSTANTLY AND I TRIED TO CHANGE LANES TO PULL TO A STOP TO LOOK AT IT. WHEN I STOPPED AND TRIED TO TURN THE CORNER, I FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I COULDN'T TURN PROPERLY AND WAS TURNING WIDE INTO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE OF THIS. MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WENT INTO MOTION AND NOW I HAVE TO CLICK THE BUTTON TO BE ABLE TO REVERSE OR STEER PROPERLY (SO THAT I'M NOT ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SETTING) BUT THE LIGHT FOR THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE BLINKS. MY BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON.
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TURN , BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL, HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. MY YOUNG SON WAS IN THE CAR, THIS COULD HAVE ENDED BADLY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUSE THAT GOES TO THE FUEL INJECTORS KEEPS BLOWING, IT ONLY BLOWS HALF OF THE FUSE, EVERY FEW WEEKS, THE CAR WON'T START AND THE FUSE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
ONE DAY WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR WHEN I TURN THE KEY, A STATIC NOISE COMES FROM WHERE THE KEY GOES. VEHICLE STARTED BUT WHILE DRIVING, WOULD LOOSE POWER AND ACT LIKE IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE OCM SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. THEREFORE MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2007. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS RARELY BEEN USED. IT HAS ALWAYS REMAINED IN THE SAME POSITION. IT HAS NEVER BEEN SUBJECT TO EXCESS MOISTURE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VALID SAFETY ISSUE TO NEED A RECALL OF THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. IF SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE IS A CRASH, THEN THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THE PASSENGER WILL BE SUBJECT TO MORE SERIOUS INJURIES. MY PASSENGER SEAT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED, JUST ONE DAY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER SHUT OFF. *TR
MY HUSBAND UNLOCKED OUR TRUCK DOOR. HE PUT OUR SON IN THE CAR SEAT AND THE KEYS DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND HE WENT TO SHUT THE DOOR, THE DOOR CAUGHT AND LOCKED WITHIN NOT EVEN 30 SECONDS. AND ITS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. SO, WHY NOW? MY HUSBAND HAD TO BROKE OUR WINDOW TO GET OUR SON OUT. HE WAS IN THERE FOR AWHILE CAUSE NO ONE WOULD HELP US. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU COULD DO FOR US TO HELP US REPLACE THE WINDOW. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN HOME AND I HEARD A THUDDING IN THE ENGINE LIKE SOMETHING WAS BREAKING. THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT HOT INSTANTLY AND I TRIED TO CHANGE LANES TO PULL TO A STOP TO LOOK AT IT. WHEN I STOPPED AND TRIED TO TURN THE CORNER, I FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I COULDN'T TURN PROPERLY AND WAS TURNING WIDE INTO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE OF THIS. MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WENT INTO MOTION AND NOW I HAVE TO CLICK THE BUTTON TO BE ABLE TO REVERSE OR STEER PROPERLY (SO THAT I'M NOT ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SETTING) BUT THE LIGHT FOR THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE BLINKS. MY BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FASTER THAN 25 MPH AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE, CAR SUDDENLY LOST SPEED BUT RPM'S KEPT GOING UP, COULD NOT GO OVER 40, WHEN PULLED OVER, PUT IN PARK BUT ENGINE KEPT REVVING UP. *TR
APRIL 21ST 2008 WE HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO MEDVED IN WHEAT RIDGE, CO. WHERE THEY HAD DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THEY HAD DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SENSORS, 4-LOW SWITCH, AND TRANSFER CASE MODULE. THEY HAD KEPT THE VEHICLE UNTIL MAY 2ND, 2008. MID MAY 2008. JULY 25TH 2008 I DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK DOWN TO MEDVED BECAUSE SUZUKI AMERICA DECLINED A TOW, THE REASON FOR THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ABOVE, THIS TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO RECOVER CODES FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THEY RAN, THEY THEN DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ACTUATOR SWITCH AND SENSORS, MY VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN THE SHOP UNTIL JULY 31ST ,2008. SEPTEMBER 3RD ,2008 I CALLED MEDVED AND REQUESTED A TOW TO THEIR SHOP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN 4-LOW AGAIN, THEY SENT A MAN TO LEADVILLE FOR THE SUV THAT AFTERNOON AND TOOK IT TO MEDVED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD DISCOVERED CORROSION AT THE CONNECTORS ON THE RIGHT FOOTWALL AREA OF THE DASH. THEY HAD THEN REPLACED THE MAIN HARNESS ON THE VEHICLE. EAST BOUND ON I-70, I HAD JUST PASSED THE EXIT FOR EDWARDS WHEN THE 4-LOW KICKED ON FOR A THIRD TIME THAT MORNING, I COULDN'T GET CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND STARTED MAKING A WEIRD SOUND, I THEN HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE THEN FLEW ACROSS 2 LANES AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. I CALLED 911 (APPROX 8:59 AM) AND REPORTED THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE NO ONE HAD STOPPED TO SEE IF I WAS ALRIGHT (THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY), I WAS THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE VAIL HOSPITAL FOR THE INJURIES THAT HAD OCCURRED DURING THE ACCIDENT. PLEASE CALL ME OR E MAIL ME I DO HAVE MORE INFO FOR YOU BUT IT WONT FIT IN THIS SQUARE 7192933068. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING MY BACK AXLE CAME OFF. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE MY VEHICLE OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I HAD BEEN TRAVELING WITH MY FAMILY THE SPARKS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CAUGHT ON FIRE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE BODY SHOP AND NO ONE COULD GIVE ME A EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE AXLE CAME OFF. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED, THIS HAS COST ME UNFORESEEN EXPERIENCES FOR CAR RENTALS AND MISSING WORK TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUZUKI XL-7. THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BOLTS ON THE SUSPENSION WERE VERY LOOSE. THE FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 4 OR 5 TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY STATED THAT THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE. THE BOLTS HAVE ONLY BEEN RETIGHTENED INSTEAD OF REPLACED. THE BOLTS LOOSEN EVERY FIVE MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,875 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FOR THE CONTROL ARM BOLTS BEING LOOSE. THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILED CONTROL ARM BOLTS. UPDATED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE A 2006 SUZUKI XL7 IN APRIL OF 2007 BRAND NEW. YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE AT PROXIMATELY 65-70 MILES PER HOUR MY LEFT REAR TIRE, A BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE DUELLER HT 687 (P235/60R16) BLEW OUT. I AM CONCERN AS I HAD NO WARNING THAT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND DUE TO WHERE THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND HOW FAST I WAS DRIVING I COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 20,000 MILES ON IT AND THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE O KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TIRE AS WELL. I TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND HAD THIS OCCURRED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE THIS COULD ENDED OUR LIVES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
APRIL 21ST 2008 WE HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO MEDVED IN WHEAT RIDGE, CO. WHERE THEY HAD DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THEY HAD DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SENSORS, 4-LOW SWITCH, AND TRANSFER CASE MODULE. THEY HAD KEPT THE VEHICLE UNTIL MAY 2ND, 2008. MID MAY 2008. JULY 25TH 2008 I DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK DOWN TO MEDVED BECAUSE SUZUKI AMERICA DECLINED A TOW, THE REASON FOR THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ABOVE, THIS TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO RECOVER CODES FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THEY RAN, THEY THEN DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ACTUATOR SWITCH AND SENSORS, MY VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN THE SHOP UNTIL JULY 31ST ,2008. SEPTEMBER 3RD ,2008 I CALLED MEDVED AND REQUESTED A TOW TO THEIR SHOP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN 4-LOW AGAIN, THEY SENT A MAN TO LEADVILLE FOR THE SUV THAT AFTERNOON AND TOOK IT TO MEDVED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD DISCOVERED CORROSION AT THE CONNECTORS ON THE RIGHT FOOTWALL AREA OF THE DASH. THEY HAD THEN REPLACED THE MAIN HARNESS ON THE VEHICLE. EAST BOUND ON I-70, I HAD JUST PASSED THE EXIT FOR EDWARDS WHEN THE 4-LOW KICKED ON FOR A THIRD TIME THAT MORNING, I COULDN'T GET CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND STARTED MAKING A WEIRD SOUND, I THEN HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE THEN FLEW ACROSS 2 LANES AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. I CALLED 911 (APPROX 8:59 AM) AND REPORTED THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE NO ONE HAD STOPPED TO SEE IF I WAS ALRIGHT (THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY), I WAS THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE VAIL HOSPITAL FOR THE INJURIES THAT HAD OCCURRED DURING THE ACCIDENT. PLEASE CALL ME OR E MAIL ME I DO HAVE MORE INFO FOR YOU BUT IT WONT FIT IN THIS SQUARE 7192933068. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP IN TRAFFIC BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, ATTEMPT NORMAL ACCELERATION TO CONTINUE IN TRAFFIC FLOW. VEHICLE SPEED THEN STALLS AT UNDER 25 MPH WITH RPMS GREATER THAN 3.5 AND ENGINE ROARING. PULLED OVER TO CURB AND PARKED. WITH VEHICLE IN PARK , REVVED ENGINE TO OVER COME STALL. WHEN TAKING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK IT JUMPED FORWARD AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUSE THAT GOES TO THE FUEL INJECTORS KEEPS BLOWING, IT ONLY BLOWS HALF OF THE FUSE, EVERY FEW WEEKS, THE CAR WON'T START AND THE FUSE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HUSBAND UNLOCKED OUR TRUCK DOOR. HE PUT OUR SON IN THE CAR SEAT AND THE KEYS DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND HE WENT TO SHUT THE DOOR, THE DOOR CAUGHT AND LOCKED WITHIN NOT EVEN 30 SECONDS. AND ITS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE. SO, WHY NOW? MY HUSBAND HAD TO BROKE OUR WINDOW TO GET OUR SON OUT. HE WAS IN THERE FOR AWHILE CAUSE NO ONE WOULD HELP US. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU COULD DO FOR US TO HELP US REPLACE THE WINDOW. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .