Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2013 Suzuki SX4 with NHTSA between 2014 and 2020.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 7 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 15
Against the median year of the Suzuki SX4. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 57
11.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 64
38% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 Suzuki SX4
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
422.2%
Median failure at 44,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
422.2%
Median failure at 37,555 miles
Airbags
316.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 35,774 mi
Engine & Cooling
316.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 35,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
15.6%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Seats
15.6%
Median failure at 38,549 miles
Brakes
15.6%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Electrical System
15.6%
Median failure at 38,549 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
212.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1168.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
16.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
212.5%
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.
Aug 2014peak 3Aug 2020
Recalls on the 2013 Suzuki SX4
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 20186433,628 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, a defect in the power steering pump could cause it to seize after a long period of vehicle non-operation (such as overnight parking) during cold ambient temperatures. This would unexpectedly increase the steering effort force necessary to steer the vehicle at lower vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the power steering pump.
Recall 20182761,540 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, a circuit board inside the Transmission Control Module (TCM) may develop a crack, preventing it from controlling the transmission properly. This could result in reduced vehicle speed and poor acceleration, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the TCM with a reprogrammed unit.
Recall 20154153,628 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, a defect in the power steering pump could cause it to seize after a long period of vehicle non-operation (such as overnight parking) during cold ambient temperatures. This would unexpectedly increase the steering effort force necessary to steer the vehicle at lower vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the power steering pump with an improved part.
Recall 201457812,705 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the detent pin within the shift lock structure may have been incorrectly positioned. An incorrectly positioned detent pin in combination with high temperature conditions could allow the transmission shift selector to be moved out of the PARK position without depressing the brake pedal. Depending which gear the driver selects, the vehicle could begin to move forward or backward immediately. This movement could result in property damage, or cause the vehicle to strike a bystander, potentially resulting in injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the shift selector assembly with an improved part which incorporates an extended detent pin.
Recall 2013407353 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the bolts that fasten the drive plate to the torque converter may not have been sufficiently tightened during vehicle assembly. Should these bolts loosen, they could become caught between the drive plate and the cylinder block, which may cause the engine to stall, resulting in a loss of motive power. This could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 33,000 milesAltadena, CACrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS A WRITE OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #10670123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesHarts, WVFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #10622372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 34,000 milesLake Placid, NY
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER DELLA MITSUBISHI LOCATED AT 7 DELLA DR, PLATTSBURGH, NY 12901, (518) 324-3323, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED WARRANTY INSPECTION DONE ON 07/24/20.
NHTSA complaint #11350448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesAlbuquerque, NM
STEERING
THE MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO REPAIR THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE UNLESS I SIGN A WAIVER. I FEEL LIKE MY RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED. THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THE SAME ISSUES.. IF THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT REPAIR MY CAR , I WILL SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY AND FILE A LAWSUIT.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11289379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,800 milesHO HO KUS, NJ
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE NEW YORK THRUWAY (I-87) NORTHBOUND AND TOOK EXIT 23 FOR ALBANY. WHEN THE OFF RAMP MADE A SHARP RIGHT HAND CURVE, I REALIZED THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE CAR CONTINUED STRAIGHT AND CROSSED THE LINE ONTO THE LEFT SHOULDER LANE AND HEADED FOR THE GUARDRAIL. I THEN TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO WRESTLE THE CAR BACK ONTO THE ROAD. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WOULD HAVE ALMOST NO POWER STEERING BOOST UNDER 1500 RPM OR WHEN HARD BRAKING. THE CAR WOULD HAVE NEAR NORMAL POWER STEERING BOOST ABOVE 3000 RPM OR WHEN DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEN THE CAR IS AT IDLE SUCH AS WHEN ENTERING OR EXITING A PARKING SPACE. I CONTACTED A SUZUKI DEALER IMMEDIATELY TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HAS ALREADY HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED UNDER THE 2015 RECALL. I TOLD HIM I RECEIVED A LETTER IN NOVEMBER 2018 INDICATING THIS WAS A NEW PROBLEM DESPITE THE RECALL REPLACEMENT PUMP IN 2015. THE DEALER DID NOT SEEM TO BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A NEW RECALL AND SAID I HAD TO BRING MY CAR IN AND PAY A $140 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND WILL BRING THE CAR IN.
NHTSA complaint #11204290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hicksville, NY
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V804000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *DT *TR *AS
NHTSA complaint #11164263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesDeer Park, WI
STEERING
POWER STEERING NOT FUNCTIONING, NO FLUID LEAK. NO "WHINING" NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #11141267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,111 milesAlbany, NY
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMITION-ON 4/3/2017 MONDAY - THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP FROM 1500RPMS TO 4000RPMS AT 40 MPH. ALSO WAS LOSING GAS MILEAGE. I BROUGHT TO DEALER THAT I BOUGHT FROM AND THEY SAID WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CHANGED MY TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR A COST OF $252.13. BY WEDNESDAY IT COULD BARELY RUN. I STOPPED AT LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE- SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECKED THE FLUID IT WAS QUART LOW. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY DID ALL THE TESTS SUZUKI TECH TOLD THEM AND HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED SUZUKI WARRANTY IN CALIFORNIA AND SW KIM AND SHE WAS GOING TO CALL THE DEALER TO SEEK OUT THE ANSWER AND CALL ME BACK IN 24 HOURS. NO CALL BACK AND TWO WEEKS LATER I STILL HAVE NO ANSWERS, REPAIRS OR THE CAR. TODAY I LEFT A MESSAGE AGAIN FOR KIM AT SUZUKI
NHTSA complaint #10978837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,549 milesDalton, MA
SEATS
DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. DEALER RESET IT TWICE, STILL ON, MEANING AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. DEALER WANTS TO START REPAIR BY REPLACING WIRING HARNESS IN SEAT, THEN THE AIRBAG MODULE, IF THAT DOESN'T WORK. CLAIMS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THIS WORK. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOUDL BE ADDRESSED BY MANUFACTURER. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS,
NHTSA complaint #10861992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,549 milesDalton, MA
AIR BAGS
DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. DEALER RESET IT TWICE, STILL ON, MEANING AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. DEALER WANTS TO START REPAIR BY REPLACING WIRING HARNESS IN SEAT, THEN THE AIRBAG MODULE, IF THAT DOESN'T WORK. CLAIMS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THIS WORK. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOUDL BE ADDRESSED BY MANUFACTURER. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS,
NHTSA complaint #10861992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,549 milesDalton, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. DEALER RESET IT TWICE, STILL ON, MEANING AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. DEALER WANTS TO START REPAIR BY REPLACING WIRING HARNESS IN SEAT, THEN THE AIRBAG MODULE, IF THAT DOESN'T WORK. CLAIMS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THIS WORK. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOUDL BE ADDRESSED BY MANUFACTURER. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS,
NHTSA complaint #10861992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesEasley, SC
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V811000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V811000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE TO THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO PLACE IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHIFT KNOB FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10850805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesCoram, MT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SNOW TIRES INSTALLERSAID MY REAR BRAKES WERE SHOT. BEFORE LONG I BEGAN TO HEAR METAL ON METAL. THE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. TOO SOON FOR BRAKES TO WEAR OUT. I HAD THEM FIXED - $285 + TAX. CABIN FILTER ($12.87 ONLINE) REPLACED - $21.95, DEBRIS REMOVED $40. WHY ISN'T THERE A SCREEN AT THE INTAKE TO ELIMINATE RODENTS?
NHTSA complaint #10808657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesCoram, MT
SERVICE BRAKES
SNOW TIRES INSTALLERSAID MY REAR BRAKES WERE SHOT. BEFORE LONG I BEGAN TO HEAR METAL ON METAL. THE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. TOO SOON FOR BRAKES TO WEAR OUT. I HAD THEM FIXED - $285 + TAX. CABIN FILTER ($12.87 ONLINE) REPLACED - $21.95, DEBRIS REMOVED $40. WHY ISN'T THERE A SCREEN AT THE INTAKE TO ELIMINATE RODENTS?
NHTSA complaint #10808657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesHampton, VA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NHTSA complaint #10725691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,998 milesDenver, CO
POWER TRAIN
RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM SUZUKI. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THE REPAIR PARTS, NEVER HAD THE REPAIR PARTS AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY MIGHT GET THE REPAIR PARTS. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO ONE TO CALL AT SUZUKI SINCE THEY HAVE EXITED THE US MARKET.
NHTSA complaint #10680554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesAltadena, CACrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS A WRITE OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #10670123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Homer Glen, IL
AIR BAGS
WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 2013 AND I NOTICED THIS ISSUE RIGHT AWAY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS NOT ON WHEN I SIT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SEVERAL DEALERS THAT SERVICE SUZUKIS, BUT THEY SAY ALL THE CODES COME BACK AS NORMAL. WHEN ANYONE ELSE BUT ME SITS ON THAT SEAT, THE AIRBAG IS ON. I WEIGH 110 POUNDS. EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS SAT ON THAT SEAT HAS WEIGHED MORE THAN 110 POUNDS.THE LAST DEALER I BROUGHT THE CAR TO CALLED SUZUKI AND THEY TOLD THE MECHANIC THERE WAS NO WAY TO TWEAK THE MINIMUM WEIGHT OF THE SENSOR. I CALLED SUZUKI CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES. ALL THEY COULD DO IS RECORD MY COMPLAINT. THEY SAID ALL SENSORS FOR ALL SX4S ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AND THEY CAN'T BE TWEAKED. THEY WOULDN'T LET ME TALK TO A SUPERVISOR/MANAGER OR AN ENGINEER. I WANT THE SENOR CHANGED, IF THE WEIGHT RANGE CAN'T BE LOWERED. THEY NEED TO PUT IN A NEW SENSOR WITH LOWER STARTING WEIGHT FOR ENGAGING THE AIRBAG. THERE IS NO WAY I AM THE ONLY ONE IN THE US WHO IS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. WHAT IF A CHILD, A TEENAGER OR A PREGNANT WOMAN SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IN A SUZUKI SX4? THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE SO THEIR FAMILY CAN FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST SUZUKI AND THEN THEY WILL START RECALLING THESE VEHICLES?!
NHTSA complaint #10667397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesAlabaster, AL
POWER TRAIN
STARTED TO HAVE A LOUD SQUEAL COME OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED AS THE AXLE. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST TWO-MONTHS AND THEY HAVE YET TO GET IN AN AXLE SINCE THERE ARE NONE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THEY SAID THERE MUST BE AN ISSUE WITH THE AXLES SINCE THERE IS NONE AVAILABLE AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10648641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesHarts, WVFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #10622372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.