SUZUKI SX4 · model year

2012 SUZUKI SX4

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.

50
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
2012 SUZUKI SX4 — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2012 SUZUKI SX4. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 3.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

50 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 3/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING15
AIR BAGS14
POWER TRAIN5
SEATS3
ENGINE2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SERVICE BRAKES1
TIRES1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION1

Recalls (3)

14V81100022/12/2014

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

15V58700022/09/2015

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

18V80400014/11/2018

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.

Recent Complaints

20260211AIR BAGS

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

20250207STEERING

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

20240218AIR BAGS

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 “AIR BAG” light in the instrument cluster and, the front passenger’s seat belt reminder light will come on. Also, the “PASS AIR BAG OFF” 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

20240218AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

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 “AIR BAG” light in the instrument cluster and, the front passenger’s seat belt reminder light will come on. Also, the “PASS AIR BAG OFF” 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

20210628STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

2012 SUZUKI SX4. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR POWER STEERING PUMP SAFETY RECALL.

20210308SEATS

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

20210220STEERING

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

20200730STEERING

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

20200121STEERING

2012 SUZUKI SX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING PUMP. *LD *JS

20191220STEERING

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.

20191106ENGINE

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

20191106STEERING

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

20191011STEERING

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).

20190910STEERING

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

20190728STEERING

DURING THE POLAR VORTEX, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT.

Mileage: 80,000

20190528STEERING

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

20190227STEERING

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP, THERE WAS A RECALL AND I CALLED SUZUKI AND ALL THEY DO I HANG UP ON ME. *TR

20190227STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP, THERE WAS A RECALL AND I CALLED SUZUKI AND ALL THEY DO I HANG UP ON ME. *TR

20190206POWER TRAIN

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

20180213POWER TRAIN

RECALL FOR GEAR SHIFT LEVER REPLACED WITH DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT LEVER THAT CAN BE BUMPED INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE.

Compare 2012SUZUKISX4 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 SUZUKI SX4 have?
The 2012 SUZUKI SX4 has 50 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 SUZUKI SX4?
The 2012 SUZUKI SX4 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 3/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 SUZUKI SX4?
Yes, the 2012 SUZUKI SX4 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 SUZUKI SX4?
The most-complained component for the 2012 SUZUKI SX4 is STEERING with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2012 SUZUKI SX4 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 SUZUKI SX4 has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.