2009 Suzuki SX4: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 48 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (48% of complaints); the 2010 and 2011 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving such car the airbag warning lights came on and state solid so I pull off the street to check what's going and shut off the car after that the car do not start immediately so take three times to started it. Since then the airbag warning lights stay on.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“Takata recall. Airbag light on, has come off and on several times. Now on, light will not reset. Indicates passenger seat cushion is defective.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
“First issue is the airbags - driver side censor light has been on ever since I purchased the vehicle back in 2010. I had to get the engine replaced due to "rod knock" only to find that the used engine of 52,xxx miles has a leak on the rear main seal. It's likely that issue that lead to my original engine failing at around 74,000 miles. The driver airbag light is still on after said engine replacing. After reading the complaints on here, it's safe to say that I'll need to dish out over 1.1k to fix it. I had the recall for the passenger side airbag, had that fixed around the 74k mile mark. Got the car under 20k miles.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car was running fine. I was driving southbound in 3 / 6 lane traffic 45 mph in town when a loud knock started knocking under the hood. I immediately pulled off the road as soon as I found a place to pull off otherwise could have stalled causing a major crash of vehicles. I called aaa to have it towed. The repair shop in my neighborhood said I needed a new engine. Car has 72,072 miles on it. The 7 year warranty ran out july 24, 2016. This happened less than 6 months after warranty and 9 months after last car payment. It hasn't reached 100,000 yet for the drive train. Pretty sad.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2017
“I was driven n the lights from the top all the electrical got on fire , I found out since 2005 a boyfriend took my idenity”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2016
“My parking brake light stays on while driving even though the brake is released. Comes on goes off. What could be causing this? [xxx] I bought the car in nov 2015. It happens every time the car is driven information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *bf *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2015
“I have not had an incident. My airbag light has been on for a long time. Took it in for recall & that did not fix the problem. They told me I had to bring it back in & pay $150 diagnostic fee to have them figure out problem with airbags. I haven't brought in. I'm frustrated they didn't fix it with the recall & feel it could be part of the recall issue & why should I have to pay for diagnostic tests & subsequent repairs.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 suzuki sx4. The contact stated that the drive belt slipped causing a squeaking noise. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11v055000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 02/18/15*lj the consumer stated the vehicle's blower fan would slow down. The steering would become difficult and pull to the right. Updated 4/4/16/2016 *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2014
“Tl * the contact owns a 2009 suzuki sx4. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the passenger side air bag serviced. After the repair, the contact noticed that the driver side air bag indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired again. The failure mileage was 97,596. Updated 9/12/14*cn”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 suzuki sx4. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign id number: 13v405000 (air bags) had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated the part was not available for repair. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light intermittently failed to illuminate when activated by an occupant. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000. Dr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.
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.
Remedy: SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985. OWNERS MAY ALSO VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 SX4 HATCHBACK AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SX4 HATCHBACK AND SEDAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THREE SCREWS THAT SECURE EACH OF THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO THE MIRROR BASE CAN COME LOOSE DUE TO VIBRATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BASE SCREWS ON BOTH OUTER REAR VIEW MIRRORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact SX4 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 2009 Suzuki SX4 reliable?
NHTSA has 48 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Suzuki SX4. The most complained-about area is air bags (48% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Suzuki SX4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 39,601 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Suzuki SX4 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. 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.