Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2011 Suzuki EquatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints for the 2011 Suzuki Equator. Most complaints involve air bags (1) and engine and engine cooling (1). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16–21mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Dec 2011
Owner complaints
2
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 EQUATOR PICKUP TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 16, 2011, THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2011. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.

Engine and engine coolingReported Dec 19, 2011NHTSA 11V593000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2012 – Feb 2017
  1. Air bags1
  2. Engine and engine cooling1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Equator model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20095
20107
20112
20121
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI EQUATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. *CN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 21, 2017Air bagsODI 10956068

Engine and engine cooling

1 report
“2011 SUZUKI EQUATOR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10478981
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Equator 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192321$3,050423
Equator 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
Equator 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Equator 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
151916$4,000555
  • Equator 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Equator 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Equator 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Equator 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Suzuki Equator as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 648Vehicle 647Vehicle 381
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Equator questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Suzuki Equator have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Suzuki Equator problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (1), engine and engine cooling (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Suzuki Equator get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Suzuki Equator at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026