Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2012 Suzuki SX4: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Suzuki SX4, most recently filed November 2018. Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Suzuki SX4. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 Suzuki SX4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V804000 Filed Nov 14, 2018

Power Steering Pump May Seize

Steering · hydraulic power assist · pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A seizure of the power steering pump would cause a loss of power steering assist, requiring extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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. Suzuki's number for this recall is CZ.
34.1% repairedof 18,673 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V804000
Listed for 2012 Suzuki SX4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V587000 Filed Sep 22, 2015

Power Steering Pump may Seize

Steering · hydraulic power assist · pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 a result, the power steering pump may seize.
Consequence
A seizure of the power steering pump would cause a loss of power steering assist, requiring extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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. Suzuki's number for this recall is VS.
56.9% repairedof 18,673 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V587000
Listed for 2012 Suzuki SX4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V811000 Filed Dec 22, 2014

Shift Selector Moved From Park

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
57.2% repairedof 60,823 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V811000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (40)

40 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The steering is mentioned most often.

2involved a crash
1involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Suzuki SX4, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 40.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other SX4 years

Best and worst SX4 years →
20002007200820092010201120122013
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 3★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 2★★★★☆☆
Side pole★★★☆☆
RolloverRollover risk 13.3%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Suzuki SX4 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined

28
mpg combined
25
city
31
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,400
CO₂ tailpipe
317 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,333per year
$194per month
536gallons a year

Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2012 Suzuki SX4 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive25 / 31 / 28$2,400317
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 26$2,600342
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26$2,600342
2 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive23 / 29 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualAll-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · CVTAll-Wheel Drive23 / 29 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive23 / 29 / 25$2,700356

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 SX4 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All SX4 years

Where to next

2012 Suzuki SX4 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Suzuki SX4 have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 18V804000 (steering), 15V587000 (steering), 14V811000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 Suzuki SX4 problems?

Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. Steering (16), Air bags (14), Power train (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2012 Suzuki SX4 get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 25 city, 31 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2012 Suzuki SX4 get?

NHTSA rated the 2012 Suzuki SX4 4 dr fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 3 stars side and 4 stars rollover (13.3% rollover risk).

How does the 2012 SX4 compare with other years?

Among the 2000–2013 Suzuki SX4 model years at least five years old, the 2000 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2008 the most (101). The 2012 drew 40. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.