VehicleVerdict

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

17

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Grand Vitara years?

Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted230 complaints1999: 142 complaints2000: 106 complaints2001: 56 complaints2002: 63 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 11 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 230 complaints2007: 86 complaints2008: 55 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 33 complaints2011: 11 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 6 complaints
Grand Vitara NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Vitara years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags741%
Seats212%
Engine16%
Fuel System16%
Lighting16%
Other16%
Seat Belts16%
Steering16%
Transmission16%
Electrical System16%

Does the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V187000AirbagsMarch 7, 2019 · 31,302 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

17V085000TransmissionFebruary 9, 2017 · 791 units

Defect

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being able to be changed.

Consequence

If the transmission cannot be shifted, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VZ.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON SEPTEMBER 12 2016 APROXIMATELY AT 2:00AM MY WIFE WAS IMPACTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STANSTILL WHEN A JEEP LATE 90S MODEL HIT HER FULL FORCE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, LUCKILY THE FORTIFICATION OF THE BAR INSIDE THE DOOR THAT GOES ACROSS TOOK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 12, 2016 · crash

“The airbag system defect light went on and stayed on. The diagnosis from an authorized former Suzuki dealer (Lincoln of Wayne, Wayne, New Jersey), charging approximately $270 for the diagnosis, was that the occupant sensing pad including the bottom seat on the passenger side had failed. This…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · December 26, 2025

“SINCE 2012 I HAVE PURCHASED THIS SUV ITS GIVING ME TROUBLE RELATED TO LOW BEAM LIGHT. I HAVE REPLACED THIS LIGHT FOR AT LEAST 5 TIMES. MANY PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT WEBSITE HAVE REGISTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE HAVING SAME KIND OF PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US TO GET A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 16, 2015

“GAS COVER DOESN'T OPEN AFTER PULLING LEVER FROM DRIVERS SEAT. I'VE BEEN TO DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER SAYS TO PUSH LEVER ON HINGE OF COVER. HAD VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS NOW AND HAVE BEEN PUSHING THIS THIN METAL BACK EVERY TIME BUT AT TIMES IT STILL WILL NOT OPEN. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES NOW AND HE KEEPS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 22, 2011

“I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND HALF. IT ALSO AFFECTS THE INTERIOR LIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CLIMATE CONTROL PANEL MAKING THE HEAT/COOL CONTROLS UNABLE TO WORK PROPERLY. AND THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE LEVER DOESN'T OPEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 2015

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara — common questions

Is the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 Grand Vitara problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (7 complaints), seats (2 complaints), steering (1 complaints).

Does the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Suzuki Grand Vitara years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Vitara years to avoid are 2006, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2002, 2001. The cleanest record among Grand Vitara years belongs to 2005.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.