Most common 2010 Suzuki SX4 problems
Share of the 21 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Suzuki SX4 complaints by model year
Best SX4 years: 2011, 2013, 2010. Years to avoid: 2008, 2007, 2009. Compare all years →
2010 Suzuki SX4 recalls (5)
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 depressing the brake pedal.
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.
Air bags
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.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Suzuki grand vitara multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines; model year 2011 Suzuki grand vitara multipurpose passenger vehicles produced prior to October 17, 2010; model year 2010 Suzuki sx4 passenger vehicles; and 2011 Suzuki sx4 passenger vehicles…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tension adjuster pulley with an improved part. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on February 16, 2011.
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
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.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2010 Suzuki SX4:
Occupant Classification System Failure
Suzuki Motor of America is conducting a safety recall to remedy the occupant classification system's (OCS) sensor mats in approximately 193,936 model year 2006-2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4 vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-405 for more details).The sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat can develop an electrical circuit disconnection as a result of repeated flexing of the seat from use of…
What 2010 Suzuki SX4 owners say
Air bags
My daughter was in a car accident driving a 2010 Suzuki SX4. The collision was with a pickup truck traveling approximately 55mph, my daughters car was traveling approximately 20mph. No airbags front or side deployed. My daughters head hit and shattered the drivers side window causing several cuts, bruises and requiring stitches above her left eye and neck. The car has been declared a total loss. * the impact location on the SX4 is the front drivers side half of hood area extending to the front fender area (corner of front). The car was spun around from the impact. * the car comes equipped with driver and passenger front airbags, seat mounted driver and passenger side airbags and 1st and 2nd row side curtain airbags. Non deployed during accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Suzuki SX4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH in rainy weather, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The front seat passenger sustained injuries to the neck and shoulder. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 54,800.
Speed control & acceleration
After coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, I slowly turned the corner to pull into a parking lot when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to a high speed on the city street. I was unable to stop the vehicle before hitting a parked car. The air bags deployed - minor injuries were sustained and the car was extensively damaged. In researching the cause, I see similar complaints about the Suzuki SX4 and its "sudden unintended acceleration" problem on the NHTSA website, repairpal, and cnn. At this point, the damage has not been repaired though it is likely to be $4,000-$5,000.
The contact owns 2010 susuki SX4. While driving 20 MPH, he attempted to engage the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated on its own crashing into a wall and a the vehicle in front of him. The vehicle was towed and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact and passanger suffered major injuries from the impact of the crash. The current and failure mileages were 329. Gg
Electrical system
I was driving down the road and I heard a thump. I then realized that the battery light was on, and I had lost power steering. The engine started heating up shortly there after. I feel that this was a major safety issue because the power steering went out. I'm very thankful I was close to home and not on a major highway, otherwise this May have resulted in a crash. The belt tensioner in this vehicle had previously been replaced as part of a recall. Upon consulting the mechanic, that was again the problem. A belt tension should last more than a couple of years. This vehicle is driven very lightly, mostly around town. It is my belief that the replacement belt tensioner was no less faulty than the one replaced in the original recall. Because my warranty had lapsed, I had to pay for the repair out of pocket, even though it is my belief that the replacement part was clearly defective.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Suzuki sx-4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, she heard a loud noise and the steering wheel locked up. The contact was unable to pull to the right, so she abruptly engaged the brakes causing njuries to her back. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that tensioner had fractured and needed to be replaced. The mechanic was unable to do the repairs and advised her to contact the dealer. The vehicle was towed dealer where the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 11V055000 (electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator). In addition, the contact was informed that her air bag light was on and they would have to diagnose the failure before doing any repairs. The contact did not approve the diagnosis since it would be at her expense. The failure and current mileage was approximately 5,050.
2010 Suzuki SX4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 25 / 32 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 33 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | AWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | 23 / 29 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Suzuki SX4 a good car?
Based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 SX4 rates better than average: 48% fewer complaints than a typical year of the SX4 at the same age. It is one of the best SX4 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Suzuki SX4?
The air bags — 7 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the speed control & acceleration (4) and electrical system (4).
How many recalls does the 2010 Suzuki SX4 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2010 Suzuki SX4, the most recent from December 22, 2014 (gear position indication (prndl)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Suzuki SX4?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2013 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2007 and 2009. See the full Suzuki SX4 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Suzuki SX4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 30,000 miles; 80% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.