VehicleVerdict

2011 Suzuki SX4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 2011 Suzuki SX4 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other SX4 years?

SX4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted140 complaints2000: 3 complaints2007: 106 complaints2008: 140 complaints2009: 65 complaints2010: 29 complaints2011: 16 complaints2012: 50 complaints2013: 18 complaints
SX4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all SX4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Suzuki SX4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission425%
Electrical System319%
Airbags319%
Lighting213%
Other16%
Body & Structure16%
Tires & Wheels16%
Fuel System16%

Does the 2011 Suzuki SX4 have recalls?

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

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.

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.

11V055000Electrical SystemJanuary 27, 2011 · 32,291 units

Defect

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES; MODEL YEAR 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 17, 2010; MODEL YEAR 2010 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES; AND 2011 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 14, 2010. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP, HAS AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED INTERNAL SPRING THAT CAN BREAK DUE TO REPEATED STRESS. IF THE SPRING BREAKS, THE DRIVE BELT WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND CAN SLIP, CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. OR THE DRIVE BELT COULD COME OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO INCREASE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALSO CAUSE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATION TO RISE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING, OR CAN CAUSE THE CHARGING LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH CAN LEAD TO BATTERY DISCHARGE AND ENGINE STALL.

Consequence

IF THE DRIVE BELT COMES OFF, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO USE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, OR THE ENGINE STALLS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V811000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 10, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE PROCEEDING THROUGH TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP TO AVOID ENTERING THE INTERSECTION ON THE RED LIGHT. A DRIVER ENTERING THE INTERSECTION FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 28, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI SX4. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 26, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI SX4 AWD (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS AND THE NOTICED THE HEAD LIGHTS HAD NOT BEEN TURNED ON. THE CONTACT STATED THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND WERE BRIGHT AND HE THOUGHT THE HEAD LIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 30, 2011

“2011 SUZUKI SX 4 CROSSOVER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GAS MILEAGE AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HIM, IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 5,000 MILES IN ORDER FOR HIM TO GET 23 MPG. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A HESITATION WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 1, 2012

2011 Suzuki SX4 — common questions

Is the 2011 Suzuki SX4 reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2011 SX4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (4 complaints), airbags (3 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2011 Suzuki SX4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Suzuki SX4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 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.