VehicleVerdict

2009 Suzuki SX4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 65 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median SX4 year — the 2009 model ranks #3 of 8 SX4 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 45% of all reports (29 of 65), far ahead of engine at 8.

65

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other SX4 years?

SX4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted140 complaints2000: 3 complaints2007: 106 complaints2008: 140 complaints2009: 65 complaints2010: 29 complaints2011: 16 complaints2012: 50 complaints2013: 18 complaints
SX4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all SX4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Suzuki SX4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2945%
Engine812%
Steering58%
Electrical System46%
Seats46%
Transmission35%
Brakes35%
Seat Belts35%
Tires & Wheels23%
Speed Control12%
Lighting12%
Body & Structure12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2009 Suzuki SX4 have recalls?

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

13V405000AirbagsSeptember 6, 2013 · 189,901 units

Defect

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.

Consequence

Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.

Remedy

Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.

10V513000Visibility & WipersOctober 19, 2010 · 69,587 units

Defect

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 SX4 HATCHBACK AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SX4 HATCHBACK AND SEDAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THREE SCREWS THAT SECURE EACH OF THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO THE MIRROR BASE CAN COME LOOSE DUE TO VIBRATION.

Consequence

IF A REAR VIEW MIRROR FALLS OFF THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BASE SCREWS ON BOTH OUTER REAR VIEW MIRRORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.

10V392000Electrical SystemSeptember 1, 2010 · 20,692 units

Defect

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 SX4, 2010 GRAND VITARA, AND 2009 THROUGH 2010 EQUATOR VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750, 760, AND 765 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985. OWNERS MAY ALSO VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE # 1 WILL BE THE ONE WE HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT. VEHICLE # 2 IS THE OTHER INVOLVED PARTY. VEHICLE # 2 RAN A RED LIGHT AND WAS T-BONED BY VEHICLE # 1. VEHICLE # 1 IS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT, PASSENGER, SIDE, AND TWO OTHER KINDS OF AIRBAGS. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT DRIVERS SEATBELT DID NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 4, 2010 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI SX4/CONVENIENCE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A FIRE IGNITED UNDER THE HOOD; THE ENTIRE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 22, 2011 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO HER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS OVER $17,000 AND WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 16, 2009 · crash

“THE AIR BAG LIGHT USE TO TURN OFF BY RE FASTING MY SEAT BELT BUT NOW STAYS ON ALL TIME AND MY CAR HAS 40K MILES AND I CANT GET AN INSPECTION STICKER BECAUSE OF THIS ,I TOOK IT TO REPAIR AND THE DEALER WANT MORE THAN $2K TO FIX THIS, IN THE MEAN TIME I CAN'T USE THE CAR BECAUSE IS NOT SAFE AND IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · November 1, 2011

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE AIR BAG AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 8, 2012

2009 Suzuki SX4 — common questions

Is the 2009 Suzuki SX4 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 65 complaints put the 2009 model at #3 of 8 SX4 years. It is one of the SX4 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 SX4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (29 complaints), engine (8 complaints), steering (5 complaints).

Does the 2009 Suzuki SX4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Suzuki SX4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Suzuki SX4 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Suzuki SX4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the SX4 years to avoid are 2008, 2007, 2009. The cleanest record among SX4 years belongs to 2000.

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.