The 2011 Suzuki SX4 has 3 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (4 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints13filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
NHTSA recall 14V811000 · Dec 22, 2014 · 60,823 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags
NHTSA recall 13V405000 · Sep 6, 2013 · 189,901 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
NHTSA recall 11V055000 · Jan 27, 2011 · 32,291 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE DRIVE BELT COMES OFF, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO USE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, OR THE ENGINE STALLS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2011 Suzuki SX4 SW AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
13.3%
2011 Suzuki SX4 4 DR FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
13.3%
2011 Suzuki SX4 SW FWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
13.3%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
SX4 Sedan
28mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
SX4 Sedan
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
SX4 Sport/Anniversary Edition
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
SX4 Sport/Anniversary Edition
25mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
SX4 AWD
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
SX4 AWD
25mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
SX4
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
SX4
25mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Nov 9, 2018 · 41,500 milesStructure › Body 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…
Sep 24, 2018 · 148,280 milesPower train 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.
Apr 18, 2015 · 70,100 milesElectrical system 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
Mar 10, 2015Power train 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.
Aug 1, 2014Air bags 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.
Nov 28, 2014 · 60,000 miles · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags 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.…
Sep 1, 2014 · 16,000 milesAir bags 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
Jul 26, 2014 · 89,000 milesElectrical system 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.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE13021 · opened Jun 14, 2013 · closed Sep 30, 2013 · led to recall 13V405000Occupant Classification System Failure 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…