2012 Suzuki KIZASHI
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Suzuki KIZASHI has 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 33. The most common issue is transmission problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: 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 tra. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.
43
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
8 complaints- • 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 TRA
- • WHILE DRIVING OF THE FREEWAY, CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE CAUSING LOSS IN SPEED WHILE GOING 75 ON THE FREEWAY.
- • SMELL GAS AND I CANT GIT A APPOINTMENT WITH DESANTION KIA IN ALBANY BEEN TRING 4 5 MOUTH
“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 TRA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Suzuki KIZASHI
Based on 23 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 81K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
AIR BAGS
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (5)
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Suzuki KIZASHI
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Suzuki KIZASHI
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 43 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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 TRA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: 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 YA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: 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 AL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Suzuki dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Suzuki KIZASHI — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 43
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 33
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Suzuki KIZASHI