Most common 2011 Suzuki SX4 problems
Share of the 13 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 →
2011 Suzuki SX4 recalls (3)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 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 2011 Suzuki SX4 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Suzuki SX4. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 20 MPH and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the failure occurred every day for the past three weeks. The vehicle was taken to fitzgerald wheaton (10915 georgia avenue, wheaton, md 20902) where it was diagnosed that the pressure control shift solenoid "b" failed and the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,280.
Tl contact owns a 2011 Suzuki SX4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V811000 (power train) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Electrical system
Constant humming from the rear hatch lock actuator -- and the rear hatch partially unlocks and unlatches itself while the car is in motion. The power locking system is malfunctioning completely. The daytime running lights and automatic indoor dome light also stopped working. I replaced the rear hatch lock actuator with a brand new Suzuki part, but determined this is not the cause of the problem. Per the attached pdfs of online repair forum posts, apparently all of these issues are part of a circuit that normally is activated when one releases the parking brake. According to those who investigated the problem in some depth (see the attached pdfs), a short in this circuit ends up causing one of the terminals in the body control module ("BCM") to burn out. …
Vehicle stalled without warning. Vehicle is difficult to steer when all electrical power went out. The only thing showing on the dashboard is the engine symbol. Vehicle starts without problem after incident.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Suzuki SX4. While proceeding through traffic at approximately 15 MPH, the contact had to make a sudden stop to avoid entering the intersection on the red light. A driver entering the intersection failed to stop and crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The passenger and driver side frontal air bags failed to deploy. The passenger and contact suffered back injuries, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. In addition, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 13V405000 (air bags) in May of 2014. The dealer stated that the part was not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Suzuki SX4. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning light remained illuminated although the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 13V405000 (air bags); however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. Updated 12/2/14 the consumer stated the failure was passed its warranty therefore the cost for repair would not be covered. Updated 05/7/2015
2011 Suzuki SX4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 25 / 31 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 32 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | AWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | 23 / 29 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Suzuki SX4 a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 SX4 rates better than average: 65% 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 2011 Suzuki SX4?
The transmission & drivetrain — 4 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the electrical system (3) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2011 Suzuki SX4 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2011 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 2011 Suzuki SX4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 50% 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.