31 of the
427 complaints filed about the Suzuki SX4
are about the electrical system —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
CONSTANT HUMMING FROM THE REAR HATCH LOCK ACTUATOR -- AND THE REAR HATCH PARTIALLY UNLOCKS AND UNLATCHES ITSELF WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE POWER LOCKING SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING COMPLETELY. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND AUTOMATIC INDOOR DOME LIGHT ALSO STOPPED WORKING. I REPLACED THE REAR HATCH LOCK ACTUATOR WITH A BRAND NEW SUZUKI PART, BUT DETERMINED THIS IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PER THE ATTACHED PDFS OF ONLINE REPAIR FORUM POSTS, APPARENTLY ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE PART OF A CIRCUIT THAT NORMALLY IS ACTIVATED WHEN ONE RELEASES THE PARKING BRAKE. ACCORDING TO THOSE WHO INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM IN SOME DEPTH (SEE THE ATTACHED PDFS), A SHORT IN THIS CIRCUIT ENDS UP CAUSING ONE OF THE TERMINALS IN THE BODY CONTROL MODULE ("BCM") TO BURN OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE (I) IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE THE REAR HATCH RELEASE AND/OR FLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING, AND (II) THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ALSO ARE DISABLED BY THIS ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I MADE SUZUKI AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN DECEMBER 2018 AND AGAIN TODAY. THE PROBLEM LIKELY ENTAILS A REPAIR COST GREATER THAN $1,000, BUT SUZUKI IS UNWILLING TO TAKE ANY ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #11242067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER WERE STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND AND MOVED OUT OF POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THERE WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT OR FRACTURE. THREE DEALERS WERE CONTACTED: ADVANTAGE SUZUKI (760 CENTRAL AVE, ALBANY, NY 12206, (518) 482-0500, (WHICH IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED AND NOW GOES BY DESTINATION KIA, (518) 478-8036)), LINCOLN OF WAYNE (1910 NJ-23, WAYNE, NJ 07470, (973) 696-9700), AND MILFORD SUZUKI (500 6TH ST, MILFORD, PA 18337, (570) 296-2636). ALL THREE DEALERS INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN BY AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC (MIKES AUTO CARE, 6 WEST MAIN STREET EXTENSION, GOSHEN, NY 10924, (845) 294-8284). THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF A FAILURE COULD OCCUR DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,036.
NHTSA complaint #11041063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS) AND 11V055000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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.
NHTSA complaint #10913972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
RADIO CHANGED OUT 2X AFTER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, LIGHT FOR AIR BAG HAS BEEN ON FOR 3 YRS. BRAKES HAVE HAD TO GET WORKED ON 2X BEFORE IT HIT 50,000, CLIP ON DRIVERSIDE MAT BROKE AFTER 2 MONTHS OF HAVING CAR, DOOR PANELS ON BOTH FRONT AND BACK PASSANGER SIDE KEPT FALLING OFF AND KEPT TAKING CAR BACK TO FIX TILL THEY HAD NO REPLACEMENT PARTS THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD THERE ARE MANY SAFETY ISSUES BLIND SPOTS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN, AND ALL THE LITTLE ISSUES FROM 2 BATTERIES REPLACED TO 2 SETS OF BRAKE JOBS TO ELECTRICALS TO 3 SETS OF TIRES, AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 80,OOO MILES OR LESS. I'VE HAD IT 9 YRS MOSTLY AS A SECOND CAR AND ALWAYS PROBLEMS INCLUDING PAINT. BUT THE SAFETY ISSUES AND THE CRAP CAR WE WERE SOLD KEPT IT CAUSE NOBODY IN THERE RIGHT MIND WANTS IT I AM 1ST YR OWNER THIS CAR SUCKS FFFFFFF IS WHAT IT SHOULD RATE THE CAR DEALERS WONT FIX IT THEY MAKE YOU COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT THE PARTS HAVE TO BE FOUND BECAUSE THE PLANT GOT WASHED AWAY AND THE PARTS WITH IT. AND THAT COMPANY WONT LET THEM HOLD PARTS IN THERE SHOPS SO HURRY UP AND WAIT IT IS THE TRAINSHAF IS CRACKED BUT HEY ITS A SECOND CAR THAT COST TOO MUCH AND GIVES TOO LITTLE JUST FOUND THIS WEBSITE THANK TO CONSUMERREPORT MAGAZINE, THIS CAR WAS CRAP FROM DAY ONE WHEN IT ROLLED OF THE TRUCK IN 2008
NHTSA complaint #10836761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD GOING SOUTH A MAN RUN A STOP SIGN HIT ME ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR MY NECK WAS BROKEN, AND BACK PERMENTLY MESSED UP , MY DAUGHTER ON PASSENGER SIDE IT JAM HER HIP'S, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT ONLY FRONT ONES DID AND THE ONE ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHATTERED AS IT CAME OUT AND THE SWITCH UNER THE STEERING WHEEL SHORTED OUT ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE, I HAVE PICTURES THIS NEEDS TOO BE INVESTIGATED I HAVE TRIED AND TRIED NO ONE WILL LISTEN I HOPE YOU DO
NHTSA complaint #10750162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WENT OUT. THE ONLY THING SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD IS THE ENGINE SYMBOL. VEHICLE STARTS WITHOUT PROBLEM AFTER INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10711808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HIT A TRUCK, DESTROYED MY RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY......... MY NIECE HAS THE SAME CAR, SHE WAS HIT, THEY TOTALED OUT HER CAR. AND HER. AIR BAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHAT'S GOING ON I AM FURIOUS ABOUT THIS. I AM TALKING TO AN ATTORNEY.
NHTSA complaint #10695517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE BELT SLIPPED CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V055000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S BLOWER FAN WOULD SLOW DOWN. THE STEERING WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 4/4/16/2016
NHTSA complaint #10669244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2008 SUZUKI SX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICE, FOR INOPERATIVE TAILLIGHTS. AFTER AN INSPECTION, THE POLICE OFFICER DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AS WELL, THE ONLY LIGHT WORKING WAS THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS. SOME FUSES WERE BLOWN AND REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY, A MOTORIST INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE TAILLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. AGAIN, THE FUSE HAD BLOWN. WHILE LEAVING WORK THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE. HE LOOKED AT THE HOOD, THEN LOOKED INSIDE THE CAR AND HE FINALLY LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHERE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE TRUNK, AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF ELECTRICAL WIRING COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TAILLIGHT, WHICH HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WELDED THEMSELVES TOGETHER. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE WIRING. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE BURNED WIRES WERE TRACED BACK TO THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THE HARNESS IN THE TRUNK HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND DAMAGED TWO OTHER HARNESSES.
NHTSA complaint #10640990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A KNOWN RECALL OF THE 2009 SUZUKI SX4 FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A USED VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2013. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT SUZUKI MOTOR OF AMERICA DIRECTLY BY TWO SEPARATE LETTERS TO INQUIRE ABOUT HAVING THE NECESSARY REPAIR MADE; ALSO I HAVE CALLED THREE DESIGNATED DEALERSHIPS THAT HANDLE SUZUKI WARRANTY REPAIRS IN ORLANDO, TAMPA, AND ST. PETERSBURG, FL TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE RECALL. I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM SUZUKI MOTOR OF AMERICA, AND THE DEALERS KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE STATUS OF THIS RECALL, OTHER THAN VERIFYING THAT MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THOSE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT, SHOULD THIS VEHICLE BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AS IT SHOULD, THUS POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A SERIOUS PASSENGER INJURY. I WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE IN GETTING SUZUKI TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE RECALL REPAIRS FOR THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10639158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA complaint #10621444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SX4 AIR BAGS RECALL NUMBER: 13V405000 RECALL DATE: 09/06/2013 PROBLEM SUMMARY: SUZUKI MOTOR OF AMERICA, INC. (SUZUKI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2011 GRAND VITARA AND 2007-2011 SX4 VEHICLES. IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, OVER TIME, THE OCS SENSOR MAT INSTALLED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY FAIL DUE TO REPEATED FLEXING OF THE MAT FROM USE OF THE SEAT. AS A RESULT, DURING A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT, THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT IS AN ADULT OR A CHILD. CONSEQUENCE: AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD. CORRECTIVE ACTION: SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY (WHICH INCLUDES THE OCS SENSOR MAT) FREE OF CHARGE. SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF PARTS ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO FIX ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN OCTOBER 2013 AND WILL RECEIVE A SECOND NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934. SUZUKI'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS VD.
NHTSA complaint #10568310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A THUMP. I THEN REALIZED THAT THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON, AND I HAD LOST POWER STEERING. THE ENGINE STARTED HEATING UP SHORTLY THERE AFTER. I FEEL THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I'M VERY THANKFUL I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND NOT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, OTHERWISE THIS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE BELT TENSIONER IN THIS VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED AS PART OF A RECALL. UPON CONSULTING THE MECHANIC, THAT WAS AGAIN THE PROBLEM. A BELT TENSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN A COUPLE OF YEARS. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN VERY LIGHTLY, MOSTLY AROUND TOWN. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE REPLACEMENT BELT TENSIONER WAS NO LESS FAULTY THAN THE ONE REPLACED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAD LAPSED, I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET, EVEN THOUGH IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10564650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SENSOR LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WENT ON AND WONT RESET THE MECHANIC CHECKED VIA DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER THE LIGHT AND SAID ITS A FAULTY SENSOR BUT CHANGING IT WOULD REQUIRE $1,500 PASSENGER SEAT REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE UNIT IS INTEGRAL MEANWHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT IS ON REGARDLESS IF BELT IS ENGAGED AND I DON'T KNOW THE IMPLICATIONS TO THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONALITY.
NHTSA complaint #10544287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUZUKI SK4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS NOT REGISTERING TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
NHTSA complaint #10509224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS OTHERS HAVE RELATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT(S) HAS APPEARED ON MY CAR ALSO NOW. AS OTHERS HAVE WRITTEN THEIRS WAS MAINLY THE DRIVER SEAT SENSORS FAILING. THE MINOR DIFFERENCE OF MY ISSUE IS THAT BOTH SEATS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO AWAY AT THE SAME TIME. THIS FACT DOES ADD UP TO THE SENSORS IN EACH SEAT FAILING AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME. SUZUKI REPAIR DEPARTMENTS ARE CLAIMING INDIVIDUAL SEAT SENSOR ISSUES. SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG HERE AND THIS SHOULD BECOME A DEFECT INVESTIGATION BEFORE SOMEONE DIES DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING.
NHTSA complaint #10499622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2008 SUZUKI SX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DEALER DECEIVED MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS BY NOT DISCLOSING PROBLEMS AND NOT SELLING EXTENDED WARRANTIES.
NHTSA complaint #10489822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2008 SUZUKI SX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DEALER DECEIVED MANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS BY NOT DISCLOSING PROBLEMS AND NOT SELLING EXTENDED WARRANTIES.
NHTSA complaint #10489822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUZUKI SX-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, SO SHE ABRUPTLY ENGAGED THE BRAKES CAUSING NJURIES TO HER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TENSIONER HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DO THE REPAIRS AND ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V055000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BEFORE DOING ANY REPAIRS. THE CONTACT DID NOT APPROVE THE DIAGNOSIS SINCE IT WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,050.
NHTSA complaint #10481120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.