Wrench.Pro

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering seats and fuel system, gasoline. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission failure and unintended neutral.” Suzuki stopped selling cars in the United States after 2013, though its motorcycle and marine business stayed. For owners the practical effect is that dealer service is gone and parts come through independent suppliers, so knowing what your car actually is saves money. The Samurai, Sidekick, Vitara, Grand Vitara, Swift, Esteem, Aerio, SX4, and Kizashi are Suzuki's own engineering, and their small four-cylinder engines are known for lasting when the oil is kept clean. The Forenza, Reno, and Verona were built by GM in Korea and take Daewoo-lineage parts. The Equator is a Nissan Frontier with a different grille, so Nissan specs apply to it. None of these have an oil life monitor, so the intervals below are fixed.

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEATS

Campaign #19V187000 · Jul 3, 2019

Issue: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Campaign #18V769000 · Oct 31, 2018

Issue: 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.

Risk: A cracked tank may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Suzuki has sent owners an initial notification to inform them of the recall. When parts are available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will install a cover over the opening near the suction pipe inlet, and relocate the suction filter. The fuel cap and fuel tank will also be replaced with improved parts. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #19V343000 · Feb 5, 2019

Issue: 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.

Risk: The deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and service providers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, which includes a new OCS mat assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed on October 29, 2021. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is C5.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Campaign #14V464000 · Jul 30, 2014

Issue: Suzuki Motor Of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kizashi vehicles manufactured October 2009 through July 2012. In the affected vehicles, spiders may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent hose, blocking it and causing the fuel tank to have an excessive amount of negative pressure.

Risk: Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Suzuki is in the process of notifying owners, and dealers will replace the evaporative canister vent line on the affected vehicles with a vent line that has a filter on the end. If the canister vent line is found to be obstructed by a spider web, the fuel tank will also be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VG.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Campaign #14V811000 · Dec 22, 2014

Issue: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 SX4 vehicles manufactured July 16, 2009, to November 1, 2012, and 2010-2013 Kizashi vehicles manufactured October 13, 2009, to October 31, 2012. The shift selector can be moved out of the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal.

Risk: If the shift selector is moved out of the "Park" position while the brake pedal is not depressed, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift selector assembly and inspect, and if necessary, replace the shift knob, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-714-996-7040. Suzuki's number for this recall is VL.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission failure and unintended neutral

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2020-09

“I WAS DRIVING AND STOP ON A RED LIGHT I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE SO PUT MY CAR ON PARKING THE LIGHT CHANGE SO I SHIFT TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE STAY (NEUTRAL) NO MATTER WHAT GEAR IT IS THE CAR STAY NEUTRAL . SO I STAY ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE WAS LOT OF TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11360355
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI KIZASHI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTED TO START, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE GEAR SHIFTER IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIME. THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10871943
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI KIZASHI. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10743983

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Evaporative system recall repair incomplete

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2021-01

“WHILE AT IDLE THE SERVICE ENGINE LITE CAME ON. THE FOLLOWING CODE WAS PULLED VIA DIAGNOSTIC TOOL.CODE #456. GAS EVAPORATOR LEAK. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE REQUIRED RECALL PERFORMED. OBVIOUSLY NOT THE FIX FOR THE RECALL PROBLEM. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683690
“MY KIZASHI WENT INTO DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V464000 , THE EVAP CANISTER AIR VENT LINE WAS CLOGGED, SO THEY REPLACED. AS PER RECALL NOTICE THE GAS TANK WAS ALSO SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED, AND DEALERSHIP DECIDED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY !!!! *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10638203
“BEEN TRYING TO GET MY REPAIRS ON MY CAR SINCE JUNE OF 2020 AND WAS JUST RECENTLY TOLD THAT I COULD NOT GET MY CAR REPAIRED DUE TO SUZUKI CLOSING DOWN I CAN NOT GET MY TAGS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE THE RECALLS HAS TO BE FIXED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11390441

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Low-beam headlight bulb burnout

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2013-02 → 2019-01

“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 report, NHTSA ODI #11171785
“VEHICLE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. SOMETIMES AT THE SAME TIME & OTHERS JUST A FEW DAYS APART. HEADLAMPS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FIXED AT DEALER SITE. THEY HAVE RUN CHECKS ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM & HAVE FOUND NOTHING. THEY HAVE OPENED TICKET WITH SUZUKI &”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10522533
“REPLACED DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT JAN OF 2014, AUG OF 2014, DEC OF 2014 AND JULY OF 2015. IT IS ALWAYS THE DRIVER SIDE THAT GOES OUT EVERY 6 OR 7 MONTHS. BECAUSE THE BULB BURNS OUT SO OFTEN, ITS BECOMING A HAZARD TO DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME. I HAVE MADE SURE TO ALWAYS HAVE AN EXTRA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10731592

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and non-deployment

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2020-09

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11361778
“MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN MY CAR AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. HE WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE WAS IN THE INTERSECTION GOING AROUND 30 MPH, I AM NOT SURE HOW FAST THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED AUGUST 12, 2016”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10898117
“PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF SIGN ON IN THE DASH BOARD EVEN WITH A 130LB ADULT SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. CAR REQUIRED A SHUTDOWN AND A RESTART FOR THE WARNING TO GO OFF. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10523652

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Suzuki published 3,750 miles under its severe schedule and 7,500 under normal use. Most American driving is severe by the manual's own definition, and these engines are small and work hard, so 3,750 to 5,000 miles is the honest number. Change once a year at minimum.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. On the Samurai, Sidekick, Vitara, and Grand Vitara, check the spare too. These carry it outside on the tailgate, where sun and weather age it faster than the tires on the ground.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, hoses, and lines at every service. Rear drums on the smaller cars and on the older four-wheel-drive models seize when a vehicle sits, and rusted hard lines are the common failure on anything that saw winter roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years. Suzuki called for this in the manual and it is one of the few intervals here that is genuinely time-based rather than mileage-based.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Drain and fill every 45,000 miles. The fluid spec varies more than you would expect across this lineup: Suzuki automatic fluid on the older models, a specific CVT fluid on the Kizashi if it has the continuously variable transmission, GM Dexron on the Forenza, Reno, and Verona, and Nissan Matic fluid on the Equator. Confirm which one before service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Around 60,000 miles on conventional plugs and up to 100,000 on iridium, depending on the engine. Replace the plug wires or coil boots at the same time on the older engines. Brittle insulation causes misfires that read as a failing coil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Timing Belt (Verona and some older engines)

Every 90,000 mi

Most Suzuki designed engines in this catalog use a timing chain, which is not a scheduled replacement item. A rubber belt does appear on some of the GM Korea built cars and on certain older engines. Check your specific engine before assuming either way, and if the car has a belt with no documented replacement, treat it as due.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles, or every 15,000 if you drive dusty or unpaved roads. Small engines are less forgiving of a restricted filter than large ones.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Transfer Case & Differential Fluid (4WD models)

Every 30,000 mi

Applies to the Samurai, Sidekick, Vitara, Grand Vitara, XL7, Equator, and any four-wheel-drive model. Change every 30,000 miles, and immediately after any water crossing. These are real four-wheel-drive systems and the gear oil is cheap next to a transfer case.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

Every 3 to 5 years depending on the coolant type your car came with. Later models use a long-life green formula. Ask the shop to inspect the radiator end tanks and the hoses while it is drained, since plastic and rubber this old fail without much warning.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator once a year, and clean the ground connections while you are there. Corroded grounds are a frequent cause of odd electrical behavior on these.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi reflects Suzuki's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →