RoadVitals

2011 Suzuki SX4

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Aug 6, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Dec 22, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Suzuki SX4, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and transmission categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 9 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical318.8%
  • Airbags318.8%
  • Transmission212.5%
  • Other / unspecified212.5%
  • Powertrain (other)212.5%
  • Exterior lighting212.5%
  • Fuel system16.3%
  • Body & structure16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14V811000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Dec 22, 2014
60,823 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the shift selector is moved out of the "Park" position while the brake pedal is not depressed, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The 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. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-714-996-7040. Suzuki's number for this recall is VL.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.Manufacturer number VLView on NHTSA.gov
13V405000

AIR BAGS

Sep 6, 2013
189,901 units potentially affected
The defect: 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. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
The risk: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
The remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.Manufacturer number VDView on NHTSA.gov
11V055000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Jan 27, 2011
32,291 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 14, 2010. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP, HAS AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED INTERNAL SPRING THAT CAN BREAK DUE TO REPEATED STRESS. IF THE SPRING BREAKS, THE DRIVE BELT WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND CAN SLIP, CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. OR THE DRIVE BELT COULD COME OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO INCREASE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALSO CAUSE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATION TO RISE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING, OR CAN CAUSE THE CHARGING LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH CAN LEAD TO BATTERY DISCHARGE AND ENGINE STALL.
The risk: IF THE DRIVE BELT COMES OFF, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO USE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, OR THE ENGINE STALLS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR
The 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.
AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.Manufacturer number SMView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE13021ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Occupant Classification System Failure

Opened Jun 14, 2013
Closed Sep 30, 2013

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 the seat.According to Suzuki, when the failure occurs, the OCS system, by design, will not suppress the frontal passenger air bag for a seated child or small-stature adult.A deploying passenger air bag can cause serious injury to such an occupant.The recall population excludes those vehicles that previously had proper remedies under the special coverage campaign for this issue (~11,600) that began in July 2012.The recall remedy will be to install a new front passenger seat cushion assembly that includes an improved OCS sensor mat and an OCS control module with updated algorithms designed to properly identify the type/size of the seated occupant.Consequently, this recall action will address various OCS related problems, including a programming error (associated with diagnostic trouble code B1318) related to detecting a change or shifting in load on the front passenger seat in the model year 2009 Grand Vitara and SX4 vehicles.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10178750, 10185778, 10200217, 10200123, 10206368, 10217021, 10250561, 10254251, 10263756, 10283309, 10285166, 10294320, 10316125, 10323718, 10324530, 10326910, 10332645, 10347204, 10348957, 10349038, 10350237, 10353604, 10354901, 10355400, 10364190, 10367631, 10369777, 10371056, 10373558, 10375165, 10375789, 10376071, 10376621, 10378154, 10380794, 10382860, 10392447, 10392434, 10392599, 10393975, 10395430, 10395602, 10395821, 10395983, 10398172, 10400092, 10400035, 10401106, 10401424, 10404772, 10405359, 10406459, 10407500, 10409412, 10409993, 10413235, 10418162, 10419237, 10419578, 10425035, 10425212, 10426703, 10434905, 10435090, 10435091, 10437600, 10437892, 10437994, 10438100, 10438501, 10438613, 10439357, 10439979, 10440088, 10442968, 10442759, 10442883, 10443173, 10443592, 10443594, 10444434, 10445034, 10445447, 10446215, 10446580, 10447689, 10448161, 10448446, 10448499, 10448554, 10449238, 10450746, 10451260, 10452961, 10453168, 10453403, 10453376, 10454445, 10454978, 10455231, 10455529, 10456043, 10456367, 10456407, 10459063, 10460417, 10460510, 10462016, 10463337, 10464941, 10464693, 10467988, 10468641, 10479583, 10479929, 10481120, 10484053, 10484863, 10486369, 10486729, 10487379, 10491755, 10499622, 10506034, 10508282, 10511057, 10511439, 10512962, 10521656, 10521779, 10523512, 10523931, 10524266, 10526435, 10533196, 10535513, 10537314, 10537619, 10543672, 10544287.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVELed to recall 13V405000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 6, 2019

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. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE (I) IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE REAR HATCH RELEASE AND/OR FLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING, AND (II) THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ALSO ARE DISABLED BY THIS ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I MADE SUZUKI AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN DECEMBER 2018 AND AGAIN TODAY. THE PROBLEM LIKELY ENTAILS A REPAIR COST GREATER THAN $1,000, BUT SUZUKI IS UNWILLING TO TAKE ANY ACTION.

NHTSA ID
11242067
Incident
Nov 9, 2018
Mileage
41,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 24, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11131013
Incident
Sep 24, 2018
Mileage
148,280 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 20, 2015

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10711808
Incident
Apr 18, 2015
Mileage
70,100 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2015

TL*THE 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.

NHTSA ID
10693259
Incident
Mar 10, 2015
Airbags
Filed Feb 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILURE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG THAT CAUSED THE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10681597
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Airbags
Filed Nov 28, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10661176
Incident
Nov 28, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 28, 2014

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*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WAS PASSED ITS WARRANTY THEREFORE THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED. UPDATED 05/7/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10650864
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
16,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID
10621444
Incident
Jul 26, 2014
Mileage
89,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SUZ_016008

STRUCTURE; SUSPENSION

Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.

N-Q-G-045

EQUIPMENT; SUSPENSION

This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.

suz_013727

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN

This bulletin describes corrective action needed to address complaints of reduction in engine power output due to activation of the continuously variable transmission (CVT) temperature protection control system due to deterioration of the CVT fluid or malfunction of the transmission control module.

SUZ_013377

POWER TRAIN

THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF AN IMPROVED DRIVESHAFT FLANGE AND DIFFERENTIAL SIDE OIL SEAL FOR 4WD SX4 VEHICLES. THE IMPROVED PARTS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PREVENTION OF CORROSION ON VEHICLES DRIVEN IN SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

ABE-ZA-120418

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

SUZUKI: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 'AIR BAG' WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION. *JS UPDATED 7/25/12. *PE

TSB-TS-02-05222

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

SUZUKI: DUE TO REPEATED FLEXING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM CIRCUIT LOCATED WITHIN SEAT BOTTOM CUSHION ASSEMBLY, HAVE AN ELECTRIC DISCONNECTION. *PE UPDATED 04/10/2013 *JS

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Suzuki SX4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013155051.5
2012403050.3
2011Viewing133149.6
2010215163.6
2009483157.3
20081013157.3
2007732152.1
2000100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.