2012 Suzuki Kizashi: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2013 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Purchased car from family friend about two weeks ago. First day we got the car, it shifted extremely hard. The transmission is causing the RPMs to rise RAPIDLY when trying to shift gears. It also cut ALL movement to the vehicle, meaning could not move forward or reverse. Hard shifting or not shifting at all. Had to get it towed to my home. Tried changing the transmission fluid and also the filter. No success. Car still not working correctly”Owner report · Power Train · May 2025
“On long trips vehicle shuts down and goes into limp mode. It has a very rough idle after restart when it allows you to go. The rims have massively lost large chunks of paint from them as well.It is never close to a dealership when it happens. This normally happens when you are running on the interstate and the vehicle dies in the middle of six lanes of heavy traffic. When this happens no warning lights nor messages appear on the dash. It just shuts down and you literally have to limp it off the road and let it set for a long period of time before it will restart. When it restarts it idles roughly for a long period of time.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2023
“While traveling on the ohio and pennsylvania turnpike the vehicle loses power and the ability to accelerate. Speed limit is 70 miles per hour in this zone loss of acceleration led to a abrupt stop going uphill. Pedal is fully push to the maximum acceleration point. This usually takes place when driving the vehicle for more than one hour. This issue has happened numerous times with the excess of 30 plus.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving the steering light comes on and makes the steering very hard to handle. Very scary ordeal. Not being able to pull in somewhere to get out of the traffic hoping no one hits us from behind.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 suzuki kizashi. The contact received notification of an unknown recall regarding the air bags, exterior lighting, and fuel system. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Planet suzuki (110 northchase dr, charlotte, nc 28213, (888) 658-9286) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2019
“The contact owns a 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V187000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the contact was informed that the dealer could not repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer and the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2019
“Passenger air bag off. This statement lights up on my dash board when a passenger places them selves on the passenger seat, and stays light up until the passenger removes them selves from the seat. This problem exists on a recall placed by your organization for 2006-2011 suzuki grand vitara and 2007-2011 suzuki sx4 vehicles.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2018
“When accelerating onto the on-ramp of the highway, the car began to reduce in speed, and make a high pitched whining noise while the rpms increased, but the speed of the car continued to slow until it stopped. The check engine light came on, and I took it to my mechanic, who told me that the the transmission control module had failed. The mechanic was unable to fix it, and when trying to drive it home, the car continued to reduce in speed, and had to be towed back to my home.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2018
“While driving on local road, the power steering warning light illuminated on dash and steering became extremely heavy. Sudden, unexpected failure of electrical power assist in steering. If this occurred while driving at a high rate of speed and/or in a curve, car would have been in an accident. Shut off car and restarted, computers and motors reset and car drove normally, but it happened a second time two days later. Sudden, unexpected failure of electrical power steering on two occasions. Will bring car to dealer for analysis”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2016
“The wheels are turning black and other coated items on the care like the silver trim on the side is turning black as well.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi vehicles. Dust can enter the vent line that provides fresh air to the carbon canister, restricting its air flow and possibly creating excessive negative pressure in the fuel tank which may result in the fuel tank cracking.
Remedy: Suzuki has sent owners an initial notification to inform them of the recall. When parts are available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will install a cover over the opening near the suction pipe inlet, and relocate the suction filter. The fuel cap and fuel tank will also be replaced with improved parts. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling 2010-2013 Kizashi vehicles. The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) may misclassify an adult occupant as child and deactivate the front air bag.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and service providers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, which includes a new OCS mat assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed on October 29, 2021. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is C5.
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.
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 notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.
Suzuki Motor Of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kizashi vehicles manufactured October 2009 through July 2012. In the affected vehicles, spiders may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent hose, blocking it and causing the fuel tank to have an excessive amount of negative pressure.
Remedy: Suzuki is in the process of notifying owners, and dealers will replace the evaporative canister vent line on the affected vehicles with a vent line that has a filter on the end. If the canister vent line is found to be obstructed by a spider web, the fuel tank will also be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VG.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 SX4 vehicles manufactured July 16, 2009, to November 1, 2012, and 2010-2013 Kizashi vehicles manufactured October 13, 2009, to October 31, 2012. The shift selector can be moved out of the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift selector assembly and inspect, and if necessary, replace the shift knob, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-714-996-7040. Suzuki's number for this recall is VL.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Kizashi by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.