Research · Compact Cars

2011 Suzuki KizashiRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (9) and electrical system (5). The EPA rates it 24–26 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
24–26mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2019
Owner complaints
22
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling 2010-2013 Kizashi vehicles. The front passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS) may misclassify an adult occupant as child and deactivate the front air bag.

Air bagsReported May 2, 2019NHTSA 19V343000

Seats

Remedy pending

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.

SeatsReported Mar 7, 2019NHTSA 19V187000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi vehicles. Dust can enter the vent line that provides fresh air to the carbon canister, restricting its air flow and possibly creating excessive negative pressure in the fuel tank which may result in the fuel tank cracking.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 31, 2018NHTSA 18V769000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2012 – Jan 2021
  1. Exterior lighting9
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Air bags3
  4. Power train3
  5. Fuel/propulsion system2
  6. Engine and engine cooling1
  7. Engine1
  8. Fuel system, gasoline1
  9. Suspension1

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 Kizashi model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201023
201122
201223
20135
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

9 reports
“SIX MONTHS AGO, I HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS SIDE LOWBEAM HEADLIGHT BULB. IT APPEARS TO BE OUT AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN UNUSUALLY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME TO HAVE A HEADLIGHT GO OUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11171785

Electrical system

5 reports
“I GOT MY KIZASHI IN 2012 AND HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TWICE. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE LOOKED AT AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANY REASON IT KEEPS BEING DRAINED THE WAY IT HAS BEEN. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2016Electrical systemODI 10915069

Air bags

3 reports1 crash
“THE AIRBAG DEFECT WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING OR THE CAR BEING ON. SUZUKI DEPOT IN SANT ANA CA REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION DUE TO A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT SOON ACTIVATED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CODE C1312 WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT RECALL CODE BY SUZUKI CORP. THEY DIDN'T TOUGH THE SEAT. I CALLED SUZUKI DEPOT WHO CALLED SUZUKI TO DETERMINE THE NEXT STEP. SUZUKI HAS NOT FIXED THE AIRBAG LIGHT OR WHAT'S CAUSING IT TO REMAIN LIT. THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE PASSENGER SAFETY ISSUE AND IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE RESOLVED AND FIXED RIGHT AWAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2020Air bagsODI 11361778
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Kizashi S
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,400342
Kizashi
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233025$2,500355
Kizashi AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
222925$2,500355
Kizashi S AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
222925$2,500355
Kizashi
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202924$2,600370
Kizashi S
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
  • Kizashi S
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Kizashi
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Kizashi AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Kizashi S AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Kizashi
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Kizashi S
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 614Vehicle 426
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 Kizashi questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 Kizashi problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (9), electrical system (5), air bags (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi at 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026