2012 Suzuki SX4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,324 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 40 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 15 | 37.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 15 |
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Steering: 15; Air Bags: 14; Power Train: 5; Seats: 3; Engine: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1; Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 9; 2016: 6; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 8; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10704258 · 2015-04-07 (April 7, 2015)
UPON ENTERING AN INTERSECTION, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE RESULTING IN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE FORCE REQUIRED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 46,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10704258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10764144 · 2015-09-16 (September 16, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH TO TURN INTO THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, A BLOODY NOSE, ARM AND BACK PAINS, AND EXTENSIVE INTERNAL BRUISING. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG HAD BLOOD ON IT DUE TO THE FORCE AND IMPACT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE M…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10764144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10852078 · 2016-03-28 (March 28, 2016)
I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED IN A RECALL IN JAN 2015 (ITS CODE IS VL). AFTER ABOUT ONE MONTH I FOUND SOMETIMES IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE STICK OUT OF PARK. IT WAS A RANDOM ISSUE SO I DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUS AT THAT TIME. RECENTLY THE ISSUE HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY. I CALLED SUZUKI CUSTOMER SERVICE ON MARCH 28, 2016 AND THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE THE CAR DIAGNOSED AT A LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER. I WENT TO THE DEALER ON THE SAME DAY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED IN THE RECALL IN JAN 2015 NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, BUT IT ALREADY PASSED THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10852078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11174811 · 2019-02-06 (February 6, 2019)
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, [phone removed]) 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 TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 168,806 miles reported. Look up ODI 11174811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479991 · 2012-10-13 (October 13, 2012)
WHILE BRAKING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, THE ENGINE SURGED RADICALLY AND COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. THE CAR COASTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE VIOLENTLY JOLTING TO A STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CURB. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOLID AS A ROCK WHILE APPLYING. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME TWO DAYS LATER. BOTH INCIDENCES WERE REPORTED TO THE DEALER WHEN THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED PERHAPS I WAS EITHER DRIVING USING TWO FEET ON THE PEDALS, OR ONE FOOT ON BOTH THE GAS AND BRAKE. THIS WAS NO SO...! THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO SEND AN OUTSID…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11572611 · 2024-02-18 (February 18, 2024)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11572611 at NHTSA ↗