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Suzuki · NHTSA safety record

2012 Suzuki Kizashi

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 23 safety complaints about the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 8 complaints, 35% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 80,000 miles, the median across the 12 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers September 2012 to May 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

23 complaints on file

23

Complaints

1

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
AIR BAGS 8 · 35%
POWER TRAIN 8 · 35%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 17%
STEERING 4 · 17%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 · 17%
ENGINE 3 · 13%
SEATS 2 · 9%
SUSPENSION 2 · 9%
WHEELS 2 · 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 · 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 4%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 23.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 4.

8 6 4 2
12 13 14 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2012 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2012 Suzuki KIZASHI, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR AWD 4 DR FWD
Overall Not rated Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated Not rated
Frontal, driver Not rated Not rated
Frontal, passenger Not rated Not rated
Side crash Not rated Not rated
Side barrier Not rated Not rated
Side pole Not rated Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.9% 10.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V343000 · May 2, 2019

The defect
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.
The risk
The deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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. · up to 21,052 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

19V187000 · March 7, 2019

The defect
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
The 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. · up to 31,302 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

18V769000 · October 31, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
A cracked tank may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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. · up to 21,063 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

14V811000 · December 22, 2014

The defect
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.
The risk
If the shift selector is moved out of the "Park" position while the brake pedal is not depressed, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The 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.

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. · up to 60,823 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

14V464000 · July 30, 2014

The defect
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.
The risk
Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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. · up to 19,249 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 injured · crash · 9,800 miles

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AND THE SERVICE ESP SYSTEM CAME ON, RIGHT AFTER THAT THE REAR CAR STARTED SWAYING BACK AND FORTH. WHEN THIS STARTED I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS AND THE CAR KEPT DOING THIS, AND THE CAR THEN SPENT AROUND AND I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY BACKWARDS FOR ABOUT 100 PLUS YARDS. MY CAR CAME TO REST IN A DITCH AFTER HITTING A MARKER POST. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE BEFORE FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FIXED, NOT THE CASE BECAUSE I COULD OF LOST MY LIFE ON 09/18/2012. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10477009. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

ON AUGUST 11, 2014 MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I HAD TO PULL OVER AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY JOB BECAUSE I SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE IN MY CAR. I PULLED OVER A LOCAL FIRESTONE MECHANIC SHOP. I OPENED UP MY CONSOLE BECAUSE MOST OF THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CONSOLE, AND WHEN I OPENED THE CONSOLE I SAW FIRE. I RUSHED INSIDE THE FIRESTONE TO GET HELP. THE MECHANICS AT THE FIRESTONE USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER , AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE FIRE ALSO STARTED UP AGAIN UNDERNEATH MY CUP HOLDER IN THE CAR, AND AFTER THIS HAPPENED THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint 10633293, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 120,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11140846. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This is my son's vehicle, purchased by me in January 2025. He attends a college 110 miles from home in PA. As the warmer/hot weather came along in 2025, he was experiencing random scary situations of the car just going into "limp mode" while driving 70 - 75 mph on [XXX]. No warning indicators, no dash lights. No acceleration, couldn't maintain speed, bogged down to 15 mph until he pulled over and turned off the car. It scared him of course, but sadly this became his summertime travel ritual when traveling to and from college. Every trip in 87°< temperatures, a 2-3 time limp mode was in store. I realized in June of 2025 that this problem doesn't throw any DTCs when it happens and because

NHTSA complaint 11740982, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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

NHTSA complaint 11664136. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS
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.

NHTSA complaint 11614804. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I bought the vehicle in a dealer, the vehicle came with serious mechanical failures which, when purchasing it, asked the owner what problems the vehicle actually had, which responded that it could have a fault in the vehicle sensor, which is normal in vehicles of that brand. . The next day we took the vehicle to the inspection report which showed damage to the gearbox. He recommends that I go back to the dealer and ask for a refund of the money or change of vehicle, since the owner omitted the true fault of the vehicle, I ask him the return or exchange and there was a refusal to return the money and change the vehicle, leaving me with a newly purchased unused vehicle, it was explained to

NHTSA complaint 11614366, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
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.

NHTSA complaint 11530480. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is/are recalls on this vehicle regarding the fuel tank and vacuum lines on the fuel filler neck assembly, which causes check engine warnings that indicate "evap emissions" readouts, leaks during refills, interior gas fumes, and potential explosions. This car is currently leaking fuel during refills (and only during refills), has frequent interior gas fumes, and is also having check engine light evap emissions readouts. On 09/12/22 I contacted Suzuki Motor USA regarding the issue because I had learned of the recalls specific to these issues. Customer Service informed me that the recall work on the vehicle had already been completed and said I would have to pay for further repairs,

NHTSA complaint 11486392, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Suzuki Kizashi

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2011 22 5 —
2010 23 6 —

Other 2012 Suzuki models

SX4 40 Grand Vitara 13

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Suzuki on this site — 11 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst