NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
This page covers 5 recalls, 22 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi.
24–25 mpg combined
9.4–9.8 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
The 2012 Kizashi draws complaints spread fairly evenly across the airbag system and powertrain. On the airbag side, owners report the passenger airbag warning light staying on, and several mention being notified about an airbag-related service campaign but being unable to get the vehicle repaired, typically because no Suzuki dealer remained nearby to perform the work. Powertrain complaints center on transmission behavior: owners describe hard or erratic shifts, RPMs climbing sharply during gear changes, and in some cases the transmission losing all drive, no forward or reverse movement. A separate cluster of powertrain reports describes the vehicle entering limp mode on the highway, sometimes accompanied by a rough idle on restart. The limp-mode episodes tend to occur at speed on interstates, leaving drivers stranded in traffic before the car will move again.
22
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Suzuki Kizashi has 5 recalls, the most serious being two separate issues that can crack the fuel tank and cause a fuel leak, raising the risk of fire.
Both fuel system issues involve the carbon canister vent line losing airflow, once from spider webs blocking the evaporative canister vent hose and once from dust restricting the fresh-air vent line. In either case, the fuel tank builds up excessive negative pressure from the inside and can crack, allowing fuel to leak near potential ignition sources. Because both issues lead to the same outcome through the same mechanism, resolving one repair visit should address both concerns.
The shift selector on automatic transmission models can be moved out of Park without pressing the brake pedal, meaning the vehicle can begin rolling unexpectedly while someone is standing outside it or before the driver is ready.
Two recalls involve the front passenger airbag system. The leather on the front passenger seat can shrink in high heat and humidity, throwing off the sensor mat beneath it that detects who is sitting there. When that sensor misreads the occupant, the airbag can fire during a crash even if a child is seated, which poses a serious injury risk to a smaller occupant. A related issue can cause the opposite problem: the same passenger seat sensor may misclassify an adult as a child and suppress the airbag entirely, leaving a full-size occupant without frontal crash protection in a collision.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The front passenger seat sensor system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child, causing the front airbag to turn off.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion with a new sensor assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger leather seat may shrink in high heat and humidity, causing the occupant sensor to fail to detect whether an adult or child is sitting there.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Dust can clog the vent line that feeds fresh air to the carbon canister, blocking airflow and causing excessive negative pressure in the fuel tank, which may crack it.
What the fix does
A cover will be installed over the suction pipe inlet opening, the suction filter will be relocated, and the fuel cap and fuel tank will be replaced with improved parts.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The shift selector can move out of Park without pressing the brake pedal, risking unintended vehicle movement.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the shift selector assembly and inspect or replace the shift knob at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Spider webs can block the fuel tank's evaporative canister vent hose, creating excessive negative pressure inside the fuel tank.
What the fix does
The vent hose will be replaced with a filtered vent line. If a spider web is found blocking the hose, the fuel tank will also be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.