VehicleVerdict

2011 Suzuki Kizashi problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Kizashi years?

Kizashi NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted43 complaints2010: 33 complaints2011: 29 complaints2012: 43 complaints2013: 6 complaints
Kizashi NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Kizashi years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Suzuki Kizashi problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting931%
Electrical System517%
Transmission310%
Fuel System310%
Airbags310%
Other27%
Engine27%
Suspension13%
Tires & Wheels13%

Does the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi have recalls?

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

19V343000AirbagsMay 2, 2019 · 21,052 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

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.

18V769000Fuel SystemOctober 31, 2018 · 21,063 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

14V811000TransmissionDecember 22, 2014 · 60,823 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V464000Fuel SystemJuly 30, 2014 · 19,249 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT EITHER ONE OR SOMETIMES BOTH. EITHER LOW BEAM OR DAY LIGHTS. ALL DEALERSHIP DOES IS REPLACE THE BULB BUT NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF TIMES SINCE 2012. THIS IS FRUSTRATING AND I HATE THIS CAR. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 1, 2012

“MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT EITHER ONE OR SOMETIMES BOTH. EITHER LOW BEAM OR DAY LIGHTS. ALL DEALERSHIP DOES IS REPLACE THE BULB BUT NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF TIMES SINCE 2012. THIS IS FRUSTRATING AND I HATE THIS CAR. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2012

“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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 15, 2015

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 22, 2014

“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 AT 9:30 PM.”

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

2011 Suzuki Kizashi — common questions

Is the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2011 Kizashi problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (9 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), airbags (3 complaints).

Does the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.