Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Suzuki Kizashi problems
Owners filed 23 complaints about the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi with NHTSA between Sep 2012 and May 2026. The most-cited component is power train (8).
Complaints
23
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train8
- Air bags8
- Vehicle speed control4
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Steering4
- Engine3
- Seats2
- Wheels2
- Suspension2
- Structure1
- Seat belts1
- Exterior lighting1
- Electrical system1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
1
1
0
3
0
1
4
3
3
1
1
2
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
8 reports1 related recall
“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…”
Air bags
8 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Vehicle speed control
4 reports1 crash
“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.”
Fuel/propulsion system
4 reports
“There is/are recalls on this vehicle regarding the fuel tank and vacuum lines on the fuel filler neck assembly, which causes check engine warnings that indicate "evap emissions" readouts, leaks during refills, interior gas fumes, and potential explosions. This car is currently leaking fuel during refills (and only during refills), has frequent interior gas fumes, and is also having check engine light evap emissions readouts. On 09/12/22 I contacted Suzuki Motor USA regarding the issue because I had learned of the recalls specific to these issues. Customer Service informed me that the recall work on the vehicle had already been completed and said I would have to pay for further repairs, since the recall work was not guaranteed. Recall work not guaranteed? Even though the symptoms I am experiencing are the exact same problems that initiated the recall. Said vehicle is garage parked and shows no signs of rust or deterioration of rubber or metal. Therefore, I am convinced that the recall repair work was insufficient, improperly completed, or involved defective replacement parts. I am seeking assistance to make Suzuki "properly" complete the recall work on this vehicle.”
Steering
4 reports
“WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY HARD TO HANDLE. VERY SCARY ORDEAL. NOT BEING ABLE TO PULL IN SOMEWHERE TO GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC HOPING NO ONE HITS US FROM BEHIND.”
Engine
3 reports
“On long trips vehicle shuts down and goes into limp mode. It has a very rough idle after restart when it allows you to go. The rims have massively lost large chunks of paint from them as well.It is never close to a dealership when it happens. This normally happens when you are running on the interstate and the vehicle dies in the middle of six lanes of heavy traffic. When this happens no warning lights nor messages appear on the dash. It just shuts down and you literally have to limp it off the road and let it set for a long period of time before it will restart. When it restarts it idles roughly for a long period of time.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.