Total Complaints
50 filings
SUZUKI SX4 · model year
50 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012SUZUKISX4 carries 50 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 3/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 SX4 is steering with 15 filings, followed by air bags (14) and power train (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2012 SX4. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
50 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 15 |
| AIR BAGS | 14 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION | 1 |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
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 depres
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2012-2103 Suzuki SX4 vehicles manufactured September 3, 2011, to April 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, insufficient clearance between the power steering pump body and the power steering fluid control valve may cause improper
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
Suzuki Motor America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Suzuki SX4 vehicles. The power steering pump may seize causing a loss of steering assist.
The contact owns a 2012 Suzuki SX4. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and the engine was running, the air bags independently deployed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact was on the outside of the vehicle, removing items from the rear seat on the rear passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear seat lever was lifted to lower the rear seat, and the front driver's side curtain air bag, and the rear passenger's side pillar air bag independently deployed. The failure occurred instantly when the rear seat was lowered. There was a loud sound but no smoke. The contact fell to the ground when the air bags deployed. The front passenger's seat belt was latched at the time; however, the front passenger's seat was unoccupied. The front passenger's seat belt became inoperable after the failure. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacture
Mileage: 153,750
The contact owns a 2012 Suzuki SX4. The contact stated while driving at approximately 73 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously serviced under an undisclosed NHTSA recall that was associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
Mileage: 121,000
The airbag sensor in the passenger seat failed. There is a known Supplemental Restraint System issue/recall in 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4s, however there has not been a recall for the 2012 model despite this being an issue beyond the aforementioned years. Affected vehicles may develop an electrical circuit disconnection within the front passenger sensing system sensor mat that is built into the front passenger seat bottom cushion. The disconnection is due to repeated flexing of the sensor mat from use of the front passenger seat. If this condition occurs, the âAIR BAGâ light in the instrument cluster and, the front passengerâs seat belt reminder light will come on. Also, the âPASS AIR BAG OFFâ indicator light will remain off because the front passenger air bag will remain enabled. In a frontal impact of significant magnitude, the front air bag will deploy with full force - even with a child, or small adult, in the front seat. Air bag deployment with a child or small adult in
The airbag sensor in the passenger seat failed. There is a known Supplemental Restraint System issue/recall in 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4s, however there has not been a recall for the 2012 model despite this being an issue beyond the aforementioned years. Affected vehicles may develop an electrical circuit disconnection within the front passenger sensing system sensor mat that is built into the front passenger seat bottom cushion. The disconnection is due to repeated flexing of the sensor mat from use of the front passenger seat. If this condition occurs, the âAIR BAGâ light in the instrument cluster and, the front passengerâs seat belt reminder light will come on. Also, the âPASS AIR BAG OFFâ indicator light will remain off because the front passenger air bag will remain enabled. In a frontal impact of significant magnitude, the front air bag will deploy with full force - even with a child, or small adult, in the front seat. Air bag deployment with a child or small adult in
2012 SUZUKI SX4. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR POWER STEERING PUMP SAFETY RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SARASOTA MITSUBISHI (6826 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, SARASOTA, FL 34231) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BOTTOM MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Mileage: 46,000
I WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY CAR AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SERVICE PROVIDER THAT IS NEAR MY HOME HAS CLOSED DOWN AND THE OTHER ONE THAT IS ON THE LIST IS 50 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME. ALL OTHER PLACES ARE OUT OF MY STATE. HELP
NOTHING YET. I CONTINUE TO GET RECALL NOTICED BUT NO ONE HAS PARTS FOR IT ANYMORE AND CAN'T GET THEM IN. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE BUT I WORRY ABOUT AN INCIDENT HAPPENING ONE DAY
2012 SUZUKI SX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING PUMP. *LD *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V587000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V587000 (STEERING). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE STARTED TO RATTLE UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
Mileage: 36,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V587000 (STEERING). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE STARTED TO RATTLE UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
Mileage: 36,000
I WAS NOTIFIED OF A SECOND RECALL (18V-804) OF THE POWER STEERING AT THE END OF 2018 STATING THAT THE POWER STEERING MAY GO OUT UNDER REALLY COLD CONDITIONS. I LIVE IN MINNESOTA, THERE IS NO WAY TO AVOID THE COLD! MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON JANUARY 18, 2019. I COULD NO LONGER HOLD OUT AND GOT SOMETHING FIXED ON IT BUT IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. OUR MECHANIC IS NOW TELLING ME IT IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING FLUID HAS LEAKED ALL OVER AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. SUZUKI HAS YET TO SEND ANY NEW INFORMATION AND IS USELESS WHEN I CALL THEM (TODAY THE PHONE JUST KEPT RINGING WHEN I TRIED).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V587000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 100,000
DURING THE POLAR VORTEX, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT.
Mileage: 80,000
CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V804000, SUZUKI HAS NO PLAN TO CORRECT POWER STEERING ISSUE. I HAD IT FIXED MYSELF AND SENT SUZUKI A COPY OF THE BILL REQUESTING REPAYMENT, DENIED BECAUSE OF A USED PART INSTALLED. I SPOKE WITH SUZUKI HEADQUARTERS AND THE CAR DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM NEW, THEY WERE NO HELP.
Mileage: 75,000
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP, THERE WAS A RECALL AND I CALLED SUZUKI AND ALL THEY DO I HANG UP ON ME. *TR
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP, THERE WAS A RECALL AND I CALLED SUZUKI AND ALL THEY DO I HANG UP ON ME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY REACH 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUBARU OF WICHITA (11610 E KELLOGG DR N, WICHITA, KS 67207, (316) 264-7777) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT READING THE COMPUTER INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE ON THE VEHICLE SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,806.
Mileage: 168,806
RECALL FOR GEAR SHIFT LEVER REPLACED WITH DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT LEVER THAT CAN BE BUMPED INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE.
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.