NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. Most complaints involve power train (8) and air bags (8). The EPA rates it 24–26 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“This is my son's vehicle, purchased by me in January 2025. He attends a college 110 miles from home in PA. As the warmer/hot weather came along in 2025, he was experiencing random scary situations of the car just going into "limp mode" while driving 70 - 75 mph on [XXX]. No warning indicators, no dash lights. No acceleration, couldn't maintain speed, bogged down to 15 mph until he pulled over and turned off the car. It scared him of course, but sadly this became his summertime travel ritual when traveling to and from college. Every trip in 87°< temperatures, a 2-3 time limp mode was in store. I realized in June of 2025 that this problem doesn't throw any DTCs when it happens and because sometimes he didn't wait long enough to clear the limp mode, I had him disconnecting the negative battery cable then reattaching it in order to clear the resident memory to get him going right away. I went a step further and installed gate switch on the negative battery post so he could just lift the hood, break the circuit with the gate arm and put it back down. I write this today because the car's 1st episodes for 2026 was on a similar mileage trip home, however it was only…”
“The contact owns a 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V187000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the contact was informed that the dealer could not repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer and the manufacturer had 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. Parts distribution disconnect.”
“WHILE TRAVELING ON THE OHIO AND PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. SPEED LIMIT IS 70 MILES PER HOUR IN THIS ZONE LOSS OF ACCELERATION LED TO A ABRUPT STOP GOING UPHILL. PEDAL IS FULLY PUSH TO THE MAXIMUM ACCELERATION POINT. THIS USUALLY TAKES PLACE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE EXCESS OF 30 PLUS.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kizashi S Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| Kizashi Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Kizashi AWD Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Kizashi S AWD Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Kizashi Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Kizashi S Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
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.
Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (8), air bags (8), vehicle speed control (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi at 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).