2012 Suzuki Kizashi Owner Complaints

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 sometimes he didn't wait long enough to clear the limp mode, I had him disconnecting the negative battery cable then reattaching it in order to clear the resident memory to get him going right away. I went a step further and installed gate switch on the negative battery post so he could just lift the hood, break the circuit with the gate arm and put it back down. I write this today because the car's 1st episodes for 2026 was on a similar mileage trip home, however it was only 82°. The CVT fluid has been changed, the level is correct and his driving habits appear to be in line with GPS ETAs vs. his actual arrival times. I went down the rabbit hole regarding the 2013 Kizashi TCM recall and I truly believe the defective TCMs they found have been around for some time before the 2013 Model year. He loves his car, but the car is putting him at risk as well as the driving public around him EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11740982

Incident

Apr 18, 2025

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 ID

11664136

Incident

May 11, 2025

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 ID

11614804

Incident

Mar 7, 2019

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 the owner that the vehicle does not pass emissions. The vehicle cannot be fixed since it is a discontinued brand of vehicle and there are no spare parts.

NHTSA ID

11614366

Incident

Sep 3, 2024

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 ID

11530480

Incident

Mar 17, 2023

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, since the recall work was not guaranteed. Recall work not guaranteed? Even though the symptoms I am experiencing are the exact same problems that initiated the recall. Said vehicle is garage parked and shows no signs of rust or deterioration of rubber or metal. Therefore, I am convinced that the recall repair work was insufficient, improperly completed, or involved defective replacement parts. I am seeking assistance to make Suzuki "properly" complete the recall work on this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11486392

Incident

Aug 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact had previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V343000 (Air Bags) in 2019. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer on 7/18/2021 and had the recall repair completed. The contact stated that on 8/18/2021, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer who was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

NHTSA ID

11434489

Incident

Oct 1, 2012

Mileage

4,000 mi

WAS DRIVING MY 2012 WHEN SUDDENLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CODES THAT CAME UP ARE B1084, B1312, AND B1015. THE CODES WERE CLEARED BUT THE B1312 STAYED ON. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT IS STAYING ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER, AND BUCKLED OR NOT. THE AIR BAG B1312 SAYS THAT THE ISSUE IS SOMETHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT PERFORMANCE. THIS CAR IS CLEAN AND HAS NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WHATSOEVER. THE LIGHT JUST SUDDENLY CAME ON ONE DAY. I READ THAT THERE WERE OTHER AIRBAG RECALLS TO THE 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI, BUT MINE SUPPOSEDLY IS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOT GONE OUT. SEEING THAT THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH THE 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI AIRBAG SYSTEM, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE SUPPOSED FAULTY PART IS NOT AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL? ISN'T THIS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US FROM? WITH THIS MANY ISSUES, THIS SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. FIX IT

NHTSA ID

11403820

Incident

Dec 24, 2020

Mileage

83,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 WHEN SUDDENLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CODES THAT CAME UP ARE B1084, B1312, AND B1015. THE CODES WERE CLEARED BUT THE B1312 STAYED ON. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT IS STAYING ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER, AND BUCKLED OR NOT. THE AIR BAG B1312 SAYS THAT THE ISSUE IS SOMETHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT PERFORMANCE. THIS CAR IS CLEAN AND HAS NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WHATSOEVER. THE LIGHT JUST SUDDENLY CAME ON ONE DAY. I READ THAT THERE WERE OTHER AIRBAG RECALLS TO THE 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI, BUT MINE SUPPOSEDLY IS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOT GONE OUT. SEEING THAT THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH THE 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI AIRBAG SYSTEM, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL

NHTSA ID

11388952

Incident

Nov 10, 2020

Mileage

82,000 mi

[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11384950

Incident

Dec 13, 2017

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. SPEED LIMIT IS 70 MILES PER HOUR IN THIS ZONE LOSS OF ACCELERATION LED TO A ABRUPT STOP GOING UPHILL. PEDAL IS FULLY PUSH TO THE MAXIMUM ACCELERATION POINT. THIS USUALLY TAKES PLACE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE EXCESS OF 30 PLUS.

NHTSA ID

11297831

Incident

Jan 3, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY HARD TO HANDLE. VERY SCARY ORDEAL. NOT BEING ABLE TO PULL IN SOMEWHERE TO GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC HOPING NO ONE HITS US FROM BEHIND.

NHTSA ID

11297071

Incident

Jan 3, 2020

Mileage

81,000 mi

SMELL GAS AND I CANT GIT A APPOINTMENT WITH DESANTION KIA IN ALBANY BEEN TRING 4 5 MOUTH

NHTSA ID

11253554

Incident

Feb 14, 2019

Mileage

79,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, AND FUEL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PLANET SUZUKI (110 NORTHCHASE DR, CHARLOTTE, NC 28213, (888) 658-9286) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11243751

Incident

Jun 28, 2019

WHILE DRIVING OF THE FREEWAY, CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE CAUSING LOSS IN SPEED WHILE GOING 75 ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ID

11228798

Incident

Jun 29, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF. THIS STATEMENT LIGHTS UP ON MY DASH BOARD WHEN A PASSENGER PLACES THEM SELVES ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND STAYS LIGHT UP UNTIL THE PASSENGER REMOVES THEM SELVES FROM THE SEAT. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON A RECALL PLACED BY YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR 2006-2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA AND 2007-2011 SUZUKI SX4 VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

11170659

Incident

Dec 1, 2018

Mileage

30,241 mi

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 ID

11140846

Incident

Oct 5, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH AND STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY HEAVY. SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST IN STEERING. IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND/OR IN A CURVE, CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTARTED, COMPUTERS AND MOTORS RESET AND CAR DROVE NORMALLY, BUT IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME TWO DAYS LATER. SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING ON TWO OCCASIONS. WILL BRING CAR TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS

NHTSA ID

10928065

Incident

Nov 24, 2016

Mileage

54,000 mi

THE WHEELS ARE TURNING BLACK AND OTHER COATED ITEMS ON THE CARE LIKE THE SILVER TRIM ON THE SIDE IS TURNING BLACK AS WELL.

NHTSA ID

10896645

Incident

Jun 1, 2013

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING ON MY 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI, IT WANTS TO PULL ON BOH SIDES OF THE HIGHWAY, AND THE SUSPENSION IS REALLY ROUGH. MY MAIN CONCLUSION IS THAT I GOT THIS CAR BECAUSE I LIKED IT, NOW I EXPECTED NO SUCH PROBLEMS AS IM HAVING AND NOBODY WILL FIX IT THEY JUST KEEP TELLING ME TO GET AN ALIGNMENT AND IVE HAD MANY ALIGNMENTS DONE, I AM NOT THREATENING ANYBODY, I WANT MY CAR FIXED I RELY ON THIS CAR AND CANT AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER ONE, SO IF YA COULD HELP GET IT FIXED IT WOULD MUCH APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ID

10817727

Incident

Jan 15, 2013

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 WITH THE AC POWER PLUG. I DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING PLUGGED IN THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER, SO HOW THE FIRE STARTED AND WHY I DO NOT KNOW. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE VEHICLE. I ALSO FILLED A CLAIM WITH SUZUKI CORPORATION, AND THEY HAD AN INSPECTOR COME OUT TO INSPECT THE CAR. THE INSPECTOR IS UNABLE TO DETERMINED WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10633293

Incident

Aug 11, 2014

MY CAR HAS A DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION WITH IS CAUSING UNRESOLVED ISSUES WITH THE ALIGNMENT. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 01/2012 TWO MONTHS LATER I DISCOVERED MY ALIGNMENT WAS OFF. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE AN ALIGNMENT MACHINE SO I WAS TOLD BY SUZUKI CORP USA I COULD TAKE IT TO A PROFESSIONAL AND HAVE IT ALIGNED. THE PULLING WENT FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. FINALLY I DECIDED TO TAKE TO A DEALER OVER AND HOUR AWAY WHO ALSO DID NOT HAVE A FRONT END MACHINE. I DROPPED IT OFF BECAUSE THEY HAD TO USE A SISTER DEALER WHO HAD A FRONT END MACHINE. THE ALIGNMENT WAS SOMEWHAT FIXED BUT MY CAR WAS LOWER AND LEANING ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOTHING TO THE HEIGHT OF MY CAR AND DON??T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT WHY THE CAR IS LEANING. AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET I WAS ABLE TO FIND SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE U.S., CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND INDIA HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH THE CAR AND A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. WHEN I GOT MY CAR IN JANUARY OF 2012, I DECIDED TO GOOGLE THE CAR TO READ AS MUCH AS I COULD AND EVEN READ SOME REVIEWS ON YOUTUBE. THERE WERE FAR MORE POSITIVE REVIEWS THAN BAD. I EVEN FOUND 3 RECALLS WITH THE 2012 KIZASHI. TODAY I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY RECALLS, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FINDING ANY BAD REVIEWS ABOUT THE CAR AND VIRTUALLY NO BAD YOUTUBE REVIEWS. TO ME IT'S CLEAR SUZUKI HAS PAID A COMPANY TO CLEAN UP ALL NEGATIVE COMMENTS AND VIDEOS ABOUT THE CAR. THERE ARE MANY GREAT CARS SOLD IN AMERICA BUT YOU WILL FIND SOMETHING BAD IN A REVIEW. I HAVE CONVINCING EVIDENCE I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE. IF YOU GOOGLE SUZUKI SUSPENSION ISSUES THERE ARE MANY ISSUES THAT COME UP VERY SIMILAR TO THE KIZASHI BUT IT LIST OTHER SUZUKI, CARS AND TRUCKS BUT ALL LISTINGS ABOUT THE KIZASHI HAVE BEEN REMOVED. THIS POOR WELDING AT THE FRONT BALL JOINT COULD PROVE DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10499341

Incident

Mar 6, 2012

Mileage

5,000 mi

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 ID

10477009

Incident

Sep 18, 2012

Mileage

9,800 mi