Most common 2012 Suzuki SX4 problems
Share of the 40 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 →
2012 Suzuki SX4 recalls (3)
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.
Remedy: Suzuki has notified owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934.
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 movement of the valve, and as…
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump, free of charge. The recall began on October 9, 2015. Owners may contact Suzuki's customer service number at 1-800-934-0934.
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.
What 2012 Suzuki SX4 owners say
Steering
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Suzuki SX4. The contact stated that the gear shift failed to switch into the park position without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V811000 (power train), but the failure recurred. In addition, while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V587000 (steering). The failure mileage was 76,502.
Air 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 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. …
Transmission & drivetrain
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]) 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Suzuki SX4. The contact stated that the gear shift failed to switch into the park position without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V811000 (power train), but the failure recurred. In addition, while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V587000 (steering). The failure mileage was 76,502.
2012 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 2012 Suzuki SX4 a good car?
Based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 SX4 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the SX4 at the same age. 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 2012 Suzuki SX4?
The steering — 16 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › pump. Next are the air bags (14) and transmission & drivetrain (5).
How many recalls does the 2012 Suzuki SX4 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2012 Suzuki SX4, the most recent from November 14, 2018 (pump). 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 2012 Suzuki SX4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 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.