The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 12,860 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 15 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Volkswagen CC 1132012 Hyundai Azera2012 Honda Insight
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V804000 (steering), 15V587000 (steering) and 14V811000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Suzuki's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 15 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 28K to 60K miles (45K to 97K km) on the car (11 of all 15 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Upon entering an intersection, the power steering failed to operate resulting in a dramatic increase in the force required to maneuver the vehicle. This could have resulted in a collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.
2012 Suzuki SX4 owner · NHTSA complaint 10704258
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 7.9M views · 2007–2013 Suzuki SX4
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service484K views
2009 Suzuki SX4: DIY Oil Change How-To VideoDan Edmunds · 346K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door289K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2010 Suzuki SX4 | AQ1112Filterheads · 270K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical68K views
Suzuki SX4 - RADIO REMOVAL / REPLACEMENT (2006 - 2013)QuiteAlright · 31K views · 4 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors68K views
How to remove Front Door Panel Suzuki SX4 2008-2014repairED · 28K views · 4 videos
Show 3 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition9K views
2010 Suzuki SX4 Crank/No Start After Two(2) Engine Swap. P0335 Crank Shaft Sensor MalfunctionDJ AUTOMOTIVE · 9K views - Brakes & ABS9K views
2008 Suzuki SX4 Front Brake Pad ReplacementBob Kovacs · 9K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x42K views
2012 (12) Suzuki SX4 2.0 DDIS SZ5 4X4 5Dr in Galactic Grey. 68k Miles. 10 Services. Local Car. £4750Ted Torques · 2K views
Before you buy, watch
Suzuki SX4 2006-2010 | WHAT TO LOOK FOR | should you buy one??Car and Driving - Car Reviews · 84K views
2007-2013 Suzuki SX4 Ownership Review: Practical and Reliable?CarCareKiosk · 29K views
2011 Suzuki SX4 Off-road Review & DriveThe Fast Lane Car · 605K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 3
- Steering · recall issued 2018
The power steering pump may seize causing a loss of steering assist.
- Steering · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, insufficient clearance between the power steering pump body and the power steering fluid control valve may cause improper movement of the valve, and as a result, the power steering pump may seiz…
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2014
The shift selector can be moved out of the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Sx4 5 HB AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Suzuki Sx4 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Suzuki Sx4 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$2,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Suzuki SX4 year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Suzuki SX4 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/suzuki-sx4/?y=2012" title="Suzuki SX4 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/suzuki-sx4/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Suzuki SX4 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Suzuki SX4 reliable?
We can't score it: only 12,860 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Suzuki SX4 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (47%), steering (20%) and speed control (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Suzuki SX4 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Suzuki SX4 get?
25 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Suzuki SX4 safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2012 Suzuki SX4 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Suzuki SX4 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Suzuki SX4 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Suzuki SX4 year is better than the 2012?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2008 drew the fewest (a bit more than the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works