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2012 Suzuki Kizashi

The Verdict

95 Smooth Ride

The 2012 Suzuki Kizashi has 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (7 complaints) and engine (7 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 95/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Suzuki Kizashi, consider the 2013 model year which has 78% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2013 has 78% fewer complaints

View the 2013 Suzuki Kizashi dashboard →

95

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyElectricalEngineTransmission
20107573
201111353
20126773
20132111

By Category

Electrical
7
Engine
7
Body
6
Transmission
3

By Severity

1
10
2
11
4
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 2

This is my son's vehicle, purchased by me in January 2025. He attends a college 110 miles from home in PA. As the warmer/hot weather came along in 2025, he was experiencing random scary situations of the car just going into "limp mode" while driving 70 - 75 mph on [XXX]. No warning indicators, no dash lights. No acceleration, couldn't maintain speed, bogged down to 15 mph until he pulled over and turned off the car. It scared him of course, but sadly this became his summertime travel ritual when traveling to and from college. Every trip in 87°< temperatures, a 2-3 time limp mode was in store. I realized in June of 2025 that this problem doesn't throw any DTCs when it happens and because sometimes he didn't wait long enough to clear the limp mode, I had him disconnecting the negative battery cable then reattaching it in order to clear the resident memory to get him going right away. I went a step further and installed gate switch on the negative battery post so he could just lift the hood, break the circuit with the gate arm and put it back down. I write this today because the car's 1st episodes for 2026 was on a similar mileage trip home, however it was only 82°. The CVT fluid has been changed, the level is correct and his driving habits appear to be in line with GPS ETAs vs. his actual arrival times. I went down the rabbit hole regarding the 2013 Kizashi TCM recall and I truly believe the defective TCMs they found have been around for some time before the 2013 Model year. He loves his car, but the car is putting him at risk as well as the driving public around him EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1mo ago
Transmission 2

Purchased car from family friend about two weeks ago. First day we got the car, it shifted extremely hard. The transmission is causing the RPMs to rise RAPIDLY when trying to shift gears. It also cut ALL movement to the vehicle, meaning could not move forward or reverse. Hard shifting or not shifting at all. Had to get it towed to my home. Tried changing the transmission fluid and also the filter. No success. Car still not working correctly

13mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V187000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the contact was informed that the dealer could not repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer and the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

22mo ago
Transmission 1

I bought the vehicle in a dealer, the vehicle came with serious mechanical failures which, when purchasing it, asked the owner what problems the vehicle actually had, which responded that it could have a fault in the vehicle sensor, which is normal in vehicles of that brand. . The next day we took the vehicle to the inspection report which showed damage to the gearbox. He recommends that I go back to the dealer and ask for a refund of the money or change of vehicle, since the owner omitted the true fault of the vehicle, I ask him the return or exchange and there was a refusal to return the money and change the vehicle, leaving me with a newly purchased unused vehicle, it was explained to the owner that the vehicle does not pass emissions. The vehicle cannot be fixed since it is a discontinued brand of vehicle and there are no spare parts.

22mo ago
Engine 1

On long trips vehicle shuts down and goes into limp mode. It has a very rough idle after restart when it allows you to go. The rims have massively lost large chunks of paint from them as well.It is never close to a dealership when it happens. This normally happens when you are running on the interstate and the vehicle dies in the middle of six lanes of heavy traffic. When this happens no warning lights nor messages appear on the dash. It just shuts down and you literally have to limp it off the road and let it set for a long period of time before it will restart. When it restarts it idles roughly for a long period of time.

36mo ago
Engine 2

There is/are recalls on this vehicle regarding the fuel tank and vacuum lines on the fuel filler neck assembly, which causes check engine warnings that indicate "evap emissions" readouts, leaks during refills, interior gas fumes, and potential explosions. This car is currently leaking fuel during refills (and only during refills), has frequent interior gas fumes, and is also having check engine light evap emissions readouts. On 09/12/22 I contacted Suzuki Motor USA regarding the issue because I had learned of the recalls specific to these issues. Customer Service informed me that the recall work on the vehicle had already been completed and said I would have to pay for further repairs, since the recall work was not guaranteed. Recall work not guaranteed? Even though the symptoms I am experiencing are the exact same problems that initiated the recall. Said vehicle is garage parked and shows no signs of rust or deterioration of rubber or metal. Therefore, I am convinced that the recall repair work was insufficient, improperly completed, or involved defective replacement parts. I am seeking assistance to make Suzuki "properly" complete the recall work on this vehicle.

46mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact had previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V343000 (Air Bags) in 2019. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer on 7/18/2021 and had the recall repair completed. The contact stated that on 8/18/2021, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer who was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

58mo ago
Electrical 2

WAS DRIVING MY 2012 WHEN SUDDENLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CODES THAT CAME UP ARE B1084, B1312, AND B1015. THE CODES WERE CLEARED BUT THE B1312 STAYED ON. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT IS STAYING ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER, AND BUCKLED OR NOT. THE AIR BAG B1312 SAYS THAT THE ISSUE IS SOMETHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT PERFORMANCE. THIS CAR IS CLEAN AND HAS NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WHATSOEVER. THE LIGHT JUST SUDDENLY CAME ON ONE DAY. I READ THAT THERE WERE OTHER AIRBAG RECALLS TO THE 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI, BUT MINE SUPPOSEDLY IS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOT GONE OUT. SEEING THAT THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH THE 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI AIRBAG SYSTEM, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE SUPPOSED FAULTY PART IS NOT AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL? ISN'T THIS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US FROM? WITH THIS MANY ISSUES, THIS SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. FIX IT

64mo ago
Electrical 1

I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 WHEN SUDDENLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CODES THAT CAME UP ARE B1084, B1312, AND B1015. THE CODES WERE CLEARED BUT THE B1312 STAYED ON. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT IS STAYING ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER, AND BUCKLED OR NOT. THE AIR BAG B1312 SAYS THAT THE ISSUE IS SOMETHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT PERFORMANCE. THIS CAR IS CLEAN AND HAS NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WHATSOEVER. THE LIGHT JUST SUDDENLY CAME ON ONE DAY. I READ THAT THERE WERE OTHER AIRBAG RECALLS TO THE 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI, BUT MINE SUPPOSEDLY IS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOT GONE OUT. SEEING THAT THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH THE 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI AIRBAG SYSTEM, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL

66mo ago
Electrical 1

[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

67mo ago
Engine 2

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. SPEED LIMIT IS 70 MILES PER HOUR IN THIS ZONE LOSS OF ACCELERATION LED TO A ABRUPT STOP GOING UPHILL. PEDAL IS FULLY PUSH TO THE MAXIMUM ACCELERATION POINT. THIS USUALLY TAKES PLACE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE EXCESS OF 30 PLUS.

79mo ago
Body 1

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY HARD TO HANDLE. VERY SCARY ORDEAL. NOT BEING ABLE TO PULL IN SOMEWHERE TO GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC HOPING NO ONE HITS US FROM BEHIND.

79mo ago
Engine 2

SMELL GAS AND I CANT GIT A APPOINTMENT WITH DESANTION KIA IN ALBANY BEEN TRING 4 5 MOUTH

83mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, AND FUEL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PLANET SUZUKI (110 NORTHCHASE DR, CHARLOTTE, NC 28213, (888) 658-9286) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

84mo ago
Engine 2

WHILE DRIVING OF THE FREEWAY, CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE CAUSING LOSS IN SPEED WHILE GOING 75 ON THE FREEWAY.

85mo ago
Electrical 1

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 2007-2011 SUZUKI SX4 VEHICLES.

91mo ago
Transmission 1

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 TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIX IT, AND WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IT HOME, THE CAR CONTINUED TO REDUCE IN SPEED, AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO MY HOME.

94mo ago
Body 1

WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH AND STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY HEAVY. SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST IN STEERING. IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND/OR IN A CURVE, CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTARTED, COMPUTERS AND MOTORS RESET AND CAR DROVE NORMALLY, BUT IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME TWO DAYS LATER. SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING ON TWO OCCASIONS. WILL BRING CAR TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS

117mo ago
Body 2

THE WHEELS ARE TURNING BLACK AND OTHER COATED ITEMS ON THE CARE LIKE THE SILVER TRIM ON THE SIDE IS TURNING BLACK AS WELL.

120mo ago
Body 2

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING ON MY 2012 SUZUKI KIZASHI, IT WANTS TO PULL ON BOH SIDES OF THE HIGHWAY, AND THE SUSPENSION IS REALLY ROUGH. MY MAIN CONCLUSION IS THAT I GOT THIS CAR BECAUSE I LIKED IT, NOW I EXPECTED NO SUCH PROBLEMS AS IM HAVING AND NOBODY WILL FIX IT THEY JUST KEEP TELLING ME TO GET AN ALIGNMENT AND IVE HAD MANY ALIGNMENTS DONE, I AM NOT THREATENING ANYBODY, I WANT MY CAR FIXED I RELY ON THIS CAR AND CANT AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER ONE, SO IF YA COULD HELP GET IT FIXED IT WOULD MUCH APPRECIATED.

128mo ago

23 total

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