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FaultScore report

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara with NHTSA between 2011 and 2026. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 13 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Suzuki Grand Vitara All 2012 cars
B

FaultScore 38/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

How this is worked out

The numbers

17

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

42,250 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

40%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 13 vs 50 Severity 61 vs 50 Early failure 68 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 61
11.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 68
40% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2012 compares with every other Suzuki Grand Vitara

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 7 41.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 46,000 mi

Seats 2 11.8%

Median failure at 64,200 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 5.9%
Seat Belts 1 5.9%

Median failure at 64,200 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 5.9%
Lights 1 5.9%
Steering 1 5.9%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Electrical System 1 5.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 5.9%

Median failure at 38,500 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 5.9%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 1,500 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 10.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 50.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 30.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 10.0%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV AWD — — —
18.5% risk
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV RWD — — —
19.1% risk

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 2011 peak 3 Feb 2026

Recalls on the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2019129 9,772 units in Canada

Airbag

Issue: On certain vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) may not work properly. This could cause the airbag system not to turn off the airbag when an infant or child is seated in the front passenger seat. This could also cause the passenger seat belt reminder to activate when the seat is empty. Note: This problem only affects vehicles with leather seats. Safety Risk: In a crash, an airbag that deploys in front of an infant or child increases the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a Suzuki service provider to have the front passenger seat cushion replaced.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

SAN Juan, PR Crash

AIR BAGS

ON SEPTEMBER 12 2016 APROXIMATELY AT 2:00AM MY WIFE WAS IMPACTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STANSTILL WHEN A JEEP LATE 90S MODEL HIT HER FULL FORCE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, LUCKILY THE FORTIFICATION OF THE BAR INSIDE THE DOOR THAT GOES ACROSS TOOK THE BLUNT OF THE IMPACT AND MY WIFE ONLY CAME OUT WITH MINOIR BRUISES AND CUTS FROM THE DRIVERS WINDOW. NEITHER THE DRIVERS AIRBAG OR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THAT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WASS ESTIMATED TO BE GOING AROUND 40MPH WHEN IT IMPACTED MY WIFES CAR. IVE NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER WHERE SUZUKI VEHICLES ARE DEALT WITH AND ITS BEEN SAID THAT SINCE THERES NO RECALL THERES NOTHING TO BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10980007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Marion, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FORTY-NINE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IT BURST INTO FLAMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD ONLY MOMENTS AFTER MY WIFE HAD EXITED THE CAR IN HER PARKING LOT AT A SCHOOL. THE CAR BECAME A TOTAL LOSS AS THE FIRE REACHED THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT. TWO NEARBY CARS BELONGING TO WORKMATES WERE ALSO DAMAGED WITH MELTED TAIL LIGHTS AND BLISTERED PAINT. NO AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN INSTALLED AND NO SERVICE HAD YET BEEN PERFORMED ON THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10441353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Short Hills, NJ

SEATS

The airbag system defect light went on and stayed on. The diagnosis from an authorized former Suzuki dealer (Lincoln of Wayne, Wayne, New Jersey), charging approximately $270 for the diagnosis, was that the occupant sensing pad including the bottom seat on the passenger side had failed. This particular part had already been replaced under an NHTSA-related safety recall campaign approximately three years ago. The replaced part had not previously actually failed, but now the replacement part has failed. Contacting Suzuki headquarters in California, I found that they were saying the replacement part needed is not in stock and if it were in stock, they would be charging approximately $2700 for the part not including installation. Please contact Suzuki of America and have them produce more of the part and fund a campaign to replace the faulty replacement parts. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11719467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Short Hills, NJ

AIR BAGS

The airbag system defect light went on and stayed on. The diagnosis from an authorized former Suzuki dealer (Lincoln of Wayne, Wayne, New Jersey), charging approximately $270 for the diagnosis, was that the occupant sensing pad including the bottom seat on the passenger side had failed. This particular part had already been replaced under an NHTSA-related safety recall campaign approximately three years ago. The replaced part had not previously actually failed, but now the replacement part has failed. Contacting Suzuki headquarters in California, I found that they were saying the replacement part needed is not in stock and if it were in stock, they would be charging approximately $2700 for the part not including installation. Please contact Suzuki of America and have them produce more of the part and fund a campaign to replace the faulty replacement parts. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11719467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Adjuntas, PR

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2012 HAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. I CALL FOR TWO TIMES TO THE DEALER THAT SUZUKI FACTORY DELEGATE THE SERVICES, BUT THEY TELL ME THAT MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS NOT IN THE LIST. I USE THAT CAR TO TAKE MY WIFE TO HER QUIMIOS AND I AND AFRAID THAT SHE IS HURT WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA complaint #11253408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles Sabattus, ME

AIR BAGS

SEATBELT LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11202965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Bronx, NY

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE WHEN TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED LATER AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT 02/02/2018 & 02/03/2018 IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #11066710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,200 miles Brandon, FL

SEATS

TROUBLE CODE B1312 OCM SENSOR MAT FAULT. AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT ARE ON ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11057970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,200 miles Brandon, FL

SEAT BELTS

TROUBLE CODE B1312 OCM SENSOR MAT FAULT. AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT ARE ON ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11057970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,200 miles Brandon, FL

AIR BAGS

TROUBLE CODE B1312 OCM SENSOR MAT FAULT. AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT ARE ON ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11057970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,000 miles Baton Rouge, LA

AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND IT JUST SUDDENLY LIT.

NHTSA complaint #10993404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Juan, PR Crash

AIR BAGS

ON SEPTEMBER 12 2016 APROXIMATELY AT 2:00AM MY WIFE WAS IMPACTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STANSTILL WHEN A JEEP LATE 90S MODEL HIT HER FULL FORCE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, LUCKILY THE FORTIFICATION OF THE BAR INSIDE THE DOOR THAT GOES ACROSS TOOK THE BLUNT OF THE IMPACT AND MY WIFE ONLY CAME OUT WITH MINOIR BRUISES AND CUTS FROM THE DRIVERS WINDOW. NEITHER THE DRIVERS AIRBAG OR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THAT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WASS ESTIMATED TO BE GOING AROUND 40MPH WHEN IT IMPACTED MY WIFES CAR. IVE NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER WHERE SUZUKI VEHICLES ARE DEALT WITH AND ITS BEEN SAID THAT SINCE THERES NO RECALL THERES NOTHING TO BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10980007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,500 miles Lincoln, NE

POWER TRAIN

I OWN A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WITH 38,000 MILES. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION LINKAGE BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS ROUNDING A CORNER AND PREPARING TO DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO NEGOTIATE A LARGE HILL ON A MAIN STREET. I GRABBED THE GEARSHIFT DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH TO DOWNSHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR WHEN I PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT BACK INTO THE 4TH GEAR POSITION THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE POP AND THE THE GEARSHIFT WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE. I LET OUT ON THE CLUTCH AND REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN 5TH GEAR. THE GEARSHIFT WAS OBVIOUSLY NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION BUT I WAS ABLE TO TAKE BACK STREETS TO OUR MECHANIC'S SHOP WHILE AVOIDING ALL STOP LIGHTS. THIS IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT FAILURE OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT. I HAVE OWNED OTHER STANDARD TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND IN THE 12 YEARS I OWNED MY LAST VEHICLE I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10939064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albrightsville, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF. IT ALSO AFFECTS THE INTERIOR LIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL MAKING THE HEAT/COOL CONTROLS UNABLE TO WORK PROPERLY. AND THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE LEVER DOESN'T OPEN THE FUEL DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10898162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albrightsville, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF. IT ALSO AFFECTS THE INTERIOR LIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL MAKING THE HEAT/COOL CONTROLS UNABLE TO WORK PROPERLY. AND THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE LEVER DOESN'T OPEN THE FUEL DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10898162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Clewiston, ME

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA complaint #10883660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SINCE 2012 I HAVE PURCHASED THIS SUV ITS GIVING ME TROUBLE RELATED TO LOW BEAM LIGHT. I HAVE REPLACED THIS LIGHT FOR AT LEAST 5 TIMES. MANY PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT WEBSITE HAVE REGISTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE HAVING SAME KIND OF PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US TO GET A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10823484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Marion, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FORTY-NINE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IT BURST INTO FLAMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD ONLY MOMENTS AFTER MY WIFE HAD EXITED THE CAR IN HER PARKING LOT AT A SCHOOL. THE CAR BECAME A TOTAL LOSS AS THE FIRE REACHED THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT. TWO NEARBY CARS BELONGING TO WORKMATES WERE ALSO DAMAGED WITH MELTED TAIL LIGHTS AND BLISTERED PAINT. NO AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN INSTALLED AND NO SERVICE HAD YET BEEN PERFORMED ON THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10441353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wynantskill, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GAS COVER DOESN'T OPEN AFTER PULLING LEVER FROM DRIVERS SEAT. I'VE BEEN TO DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER SAYS TO PUSH LEVER ON HINGE OF COVER. HAD VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS NOW AND HAVE BEEN PUSHING THIS THIN METAL BACK EVERY TIME BUT AT TIMES IT STILL WILL NOT OPEN. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES NOW AND HE KEEPS TELLING ME TO PUSH THIS THING BACK. FRUSTRATED, I SAID THAT THIS IS A TERRIBLE DESIGN, HE SAID IN RETURN "HONDA HAS SAME FEATURE". I LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #10425314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.