2009 Suzuki SX4 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Suzuki SX4, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags2944.6%
- Engine812.3%
- Steering57.7%
- Interior & seats46.2%
- Electrical46.2%
- Brakes34.6%
- Seat belts34.6%
- Powertrain (other)34.6%
- Tires & wheels23.1%
- Exterior lighting11.5%
- Fuel system11.5%
- Driver assistance11.5%
- Body & structure11.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING SUCH CAR THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STATE SOLID SO I PULL OFF THE STREET TO CHECK WHAT'S GOING AND SHUT OFF THE CAR AFTER THAT THE CAR DO NOT START IMMEDIATELY SO TAKE THREE TIMES TO STARTED IT. SINCE THEN THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON.
TAKATA RECALL. AIRBAG LIGHT ON, HAS COME OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES. NOW ON, LIGHT WILL NOT RESET. INDICATES PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION IS DEFECTIVE.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
FIRST ISSUE IS THE AIRBAGS - DRIVER SIDE CENSOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ON EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2010. I HAD TO GET THE ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO "ROD KNOCK" ONLY TO FIND THAT THE USED ENGINE OF 52,XXX MILES HAS A LEAK ON THE REAR MAIN SEAL. IT'S LIKELY THAT ISSUE THAT LEAD TO MY ORIGINAL ENGINE FAILING AT AROUND 74,000 MILES. THE DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON AFTER SAID ENGINE REPLACING. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS ON HERE, IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT I'LL NEED TO DISH OUT OVER 1.1K TO FIX IT. I HAD THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, HAD THAT FIXED AROUND THE 74K MILE MARK. GOT THE CAR UNDER 20K MILES.
CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND IN 3 / 6 LANE TRAFFIC 45 MPH IN TOWN WHEN A LOUD KNOCK STARTED KNOCKING UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS I FOUND A PLACE TO PULL OFF OTHERWISE COULD HAVE STALLED CAUSING A MAJOR CRASH OF VEHICLES. I CALLED AAA TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE REPAIR SHOP IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. CAR HAS 72,072 MILES ON IT. THE 7 YEAR WARRANTY RAN OUT JULY 24, 2016. THIS HAPPENED LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER WARRANTY AND 9 MONTHS AFTER LAST CAR PAYMENT. IT HASN'T REACHED 100,000 YET FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN. PRETTY SAD.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE BELT SLIPPED CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V055000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S BLOWER FAN WOULD SLOW DOWN. THE STEERING WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 4/4/16/2016 *JS
CHIRPING OF ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT AREAD NOTICED. SUZUKI REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER PULLEY OUT OF WARRANTY. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN REPLACING A TENSIONER PULLEY BELOW 35000 MILES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL. AIRBAG LIGHT ON, HAS COME OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES. NOW ON, LIGHT WILL NOT RESET. INDICATES PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION IS DEFECTIVE.
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A KNOWN RECALL OF THE 2009 SUZUKI SX4 FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A USED VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2013. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT SUZUKI MOTOR OF AMERICA DIRECTLY BY TWO SEPARATE LETTERS TO INQUIRE ABOUT HAVING THE NECESSARY REPAIR MADE; ALSO I HAVE CALLED THREE DESIGNATED DEALERSHIPS THAT HANDLE SUZUKI WARRANTY REPAIRS IN ORLANDO, TAMPA, AND ST. PETERSBURG, FL TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE RECALL. I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM SUZUKI MOTOR OF AMERICA, AND THE DEALERS KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE STATUS OF THIS RECALL, OTHER THAN VERIFYING THAT MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THOSE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT, SHOULD THIS VEHICLE BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AS IT SHOULD, THUS POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A SERIOUS PASSENGER INJURY. I WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE IN GETTING SUZUKI TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE RECALL REPAIRS FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE BELT SLIPPED CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V055000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S BLOWER FAN WOULD SLOW DOWN. THE STEERING WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 4/4/16/2016 *JS
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A KNOWN RECALL OF THE 2009 SUZUKI SX4 FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A USED VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2013. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT SUZUKI MOTOR OF AMERICA DIRECTLY BY TWO SEPARATE LETTERS TO INQUIRE ABOUT HAVING THE NECESSARY REPAIR MADE; ALSO I HAVE CALLED THREE DESIGNATED DEALERSHIPS THAT HANDLE SUZUKI WARRANTY REPAIRS IN ORLANDO, TAMPA, AND ST. PETERSBURG, FL TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE RECALL. I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM SUZUKI MOTOR OF AMERICA, AND THE DEALERS KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE STATUS OF THIS RECALL, OTHER THAN VERIFYING THAT MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THOSE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT, SHOULD THIS VEHICLE BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AS IT SHOULD, THUS POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A SERIOUS PASSENGER INJURY. I WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE IN GETTING SUZUKI TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE RECALL REPAIRS FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY PARKING BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE IS RELEASED. COMES ON GOES OFF. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS? [XXX] I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOV 2015. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *BF *TR
MY CAR'S ISSUE IS THAT AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP TO FIX AN OTHER ISSUE ON BRAKE SYSTEM, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO HAD STAYED ON. THE SERVICE MECHANICS SAW THE FRONT PANEL OF MY CAR WHERE THE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT AND AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ON. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT WARN ME ABOUT IT. IF THEY HAD TOLD ME, THE COSTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY. AT THAT TIME, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATED (I.E. AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY WHEN I GOT AN ACCIDENT) AS A DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR DID NOT WARN ME ABOUT IT ALTHOUGH IT ALREADY STAYED ON WHEN I PURCHASED IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN TERMS OF QUALITY OF SERVICE TECHNICIANS AND AIRBAG SYSTEM ITSELF OF SUZUKI. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN AND WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH SUZUKI SX4 AS I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, WHICH ARE THE SAME AS MY ISSUE, ON SAFECAR.GOVE AND OTHER WEBSITES. FURTHERMORE, LOOKING AT THOSE INFORMATION, THOSE CARS HAD THE ISSUE AT A QUITE EARLY STAGE OF CAR USAGE (E.G. WHEN PURCHASED AND MILEAGE), WHICH INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS A DEFECT. THIS ISSUE COULD LEAD SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEAD SO SUZUKI SHOULD RESOLVE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BY EITHER RECALLING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OR EXTENDING THE WARRANTY SO THAT CAR OWNERS CAN FIX IT WITH NO COSTS AND SAVER OUR LIVES. OTHERWISE, CAR OWNERS WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THE COSTS COULD NOT FIX IT. ALSO, CAR OWNERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH AIRBAG LIGHT/SYSTEM WOULD NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE DANGEROUS SITUATION. FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, SUZUKI SHOULD NOTIFY CAR OWNERS ABOUT THE ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. I HOPE THAT NHTSA ALSO WOULD TAKE THE ISSUE SERIOUSLY, INVESTIGATE IT AND GIVE THE NECESSARY DIRECTIONS TO SUZUKI TO SAVE OUR NATION OF U.S.A 'S LIVES FROM A DEFECT AIRBAG SYSTEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 6/29/12. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TWO WEEKS LATER. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT MY AIRBAGS ARE NOW DISABLED. AUTHORIZED SUZUKI DEALER/REPAIR FACILITY IS 125 MILES AWAY. ON LINE BLOGS AND THIS WEBSITE INDICATE PROBLEMS WITH DISCONNECT IN SEAT SENSOR EMBEDDED WITHIN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION. SUZUKI WILL NOT COVER COSTS TO REPAIR/REPLACE SEAT CUSHION. SAFETY ISSUE SEAMS TO BE WITH ALL SUZUKI SX4'S. HOW DO WE, THE CONSUMER, GET AMERICAN SUZUKI TO RECALL THIS AIRBAG ISSUE? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THIS ISSUE STARTED WAY BEFORE TODAY, BUT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON PROBABLY IN THE FALL OF 2011 ALONG WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT. WE MOVED TO A SMALL TOWN AND BEFORE GETTING TWO NEW TIRES WE WENT TO THE SERVICE STATION ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS CLOSED BUT I NEED TO GET MY INSPECTION REINSTATED SO I CAN GO TO CLASS AND WORK AND IF SUZUKI KNEW ABOUT ALL THESE ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG SENSOR ONE WOULD HOPE THAT IT WOULD WARRANT A RECALL. I LOVE MY SX4 BUT EVER SINCE I GOT IT HAS HAD MANY ISSUES WITH IT, MORE SO THAN MY HUSBANDS CAR WHICH IS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND IN 3 / 6 LANE TRAFFIC 45 MPH IN TOWN WHEN A LOUD KNOCK STARTED KNOCKING UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS I FOUND A PLACE TO PULL OFF OTHERWISE COULD HAVE STALLED CAUSING A MAJOR CRASH OF VEHICLES. I CALLED AAA TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE REPAIR SHOP IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. CAR HAS 72,072 MILES ON IT. THE 7 YEAR WARRANTY RAN OUT JULY 24, 2016. THIS HAPPENED LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER WARRANTY AND 9 MONTHS AFTER LAST CAR PAYMENT. IT HASN'T REACHED 100,000 YET FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN. PRETTY SAD.
AFTER 38,000 MILES AND LESS THAN 3 YEARS, MY SUZUKI NEEDS A NEW DRIVE BELT AND TENSIONER ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. ACCORDING TO RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ONLINE THIS BELT SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 60,000 MILES AND THE TENSIONER MUCH LONGER. THEY ARE QUOTING ME 450.00 TO REPAIR. RIDICULOUS! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TWO TPMS SENSORS FAILED. THE FIRST SENSOR FAILED AT ABOUT 31000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN AT AROUND 50,000 MILES THE SECOND TPMS SENSOR FAILED AFTER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE IS MECHANICAL IN NATURE. THE THREADED VALVE STEM OF THE TPMS SENSOR DEVELOPS HAIRLINE CRACKS REFAULTING IN SLOW AIR LEAKS, WHICH DEVELOP INTO LARGER LEAKS WITHIN WEEKS, WHICH LEADS TO THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT GOING OFF IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND EVENTUALLY, IN THE NEED TO REPLACE TO TPMS SENSOR DUE TO THE AIR LEAK. FAILURE TO CHECK THE TIRE'S AIR PRESSURE WITHIN A DAY OR TWO CAN RESULT IN A FLAT TIRE. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF EVIDENCE IN INTERNET FORUMS THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD SUZUKI SX4 ISSUE, HINTING AT AN UNDERLYING FAULT WITH THE TPMS SENSORS. *TR
JUST BACK FROM 15 MILE TRIP TO WALMART, TURNED INTO LONG DRIVEWAY AND DROVE ABOUT 200 FEET WHEN HEARD NOISE LIKE WE WERE DRAGGING A LARGE WEED ; STOPPED AND SAW THE TIRE HAD FAILED . LOOKED LIKE THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE CLOSE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE RIM HAD SPLIT ALL AROUND THE TIRE. PURCHASED THESE 4 NEW TIRES ON 6/30/2012 FROM DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY IN TYLER, TEXAS SO THIS TIRE ONLY HAD 3,557 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE TIRE WAS A BFG GFORCE SPORT COMP2, SIZE 205/50ZR17 89W. WILL RETURN TO THE STORE FOR WARRANTY BUT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BAD IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH RATHER THAN THE DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH. DID NOT FIND ANY RECALLS ON THIS TIRE IN THE RECALL SEARCH WEBSITE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVEN N THE LIGHTS FROM THE TOP ALL THE ELECTRICAL GOT ON FIRE , I FOUND OUT SINCE 2005 A BOYFRIEND TOOK MY IDENITY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL FILLER NECK LEAKS FUEL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE THROTTLE STARTED TO INCREASE EXCESSIVELY AND THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO ACCELERATE ONCE THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS INSPECTED THE FAILURE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO SEND OUT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT INFORM THE CONTACT OF ANY ISSUES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,679.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
PAINT IS BAD CLEAR COAT IS GONE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .