Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
13 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2026
Air BagsSeats
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 particular part had already been re…
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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 particular part had already been replaced under an NHTSA-related safety recall campaign approximately three years ago. The replaced part had not previously actually failed, but now the replacement part has failed. Contacting Suzuki headquarters in California, I found that they were saying the replacement part needed is not in stock and if it were in stock, they would be charging approximately $2700 for the part not including installation. Please contact Suzuki of America and have them produce more of the part and fund a campaign to replace the faulty replacement parts. Thank you.
NHTSA ODI #11719467
30,000 miles · Sep 5, 2019
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2012 HAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. I CALL FOR TWO TIMES TO THE DEALER THAT SUZUKI FACTORY DELEGATE THE SERVICES, BUT THEY TELL ME THAT MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS NOT IN THE LIST. I USE THAT CAR TO TAKE MY WIFE TO HER QUIMIOS AND I AND AFRAID THAT SHE IS HURT WITH THE MALFUNCTION …
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TAKATA RECALL. MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2012 HAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. I CALL FOR TWO TIMES TO THE DEALER THAT SUZUKI FACTORY DELEGATE THE SERVICES, BUT THEY TELL ME THAT MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS NOT IN THE LIST. I USE THAT CAR TO TAKE MY WIFE TO HER QUIMIOS AND I AND AFRAID THAT SHE IS HURT WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG.
NHTSA ODI #11253408
121,000 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Air Bags
SEATBELT LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11202965
35,000 miles · Feb 2, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE WHEN TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED LATER AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT THE CONSUMER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE WHEN TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED LATER AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT 02/02/2018 & 02/03/2018 IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11066710
64,200 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats
TROUBLE CODE B1312 OCM SENSOR MAT FAULT. AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT ARE ON ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11057970
46,000 miles · Jun 6, 2017
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND IT JUST SUDDENLY LIT.
NHTSA ODI #10993404
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2017
Air BagsCrash
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 THE BLUNT OF THE IMPACT AND MY …
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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 THE BLUNT OF THE IMPACT AND MY WIFE ONLY CAME OUT WITH MINOIR BRUISES AND CUTS FROM THE DRIVERS WINDOW. NEITHER THE DRIVERS AIRBAG OR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THAT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WASS ESTIMATED TO BE GOING AROUND 40MPH WHEN IT IMPACTED MY WIFES CAR. IVE NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER WHERE SUZUKI VEHICLES ARE DEALT WITH AND ITS BEEN SAID THAT SINCE THERES NO RECALL THERES NOTHING TO BE DONE.
NHTSA ODI #10980007
38,500 miles · Jan 2, 2017
Power Train
I OWN A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WITH 38,000 MILES. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION LINKAGE BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS ROUNDING A CORNER AND PREPARING TO DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO NEGOTIATE A LARGE HILL ON A MAIN STREET. I GRABBED THE GEARSHIFT DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH TO DOWNSHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR WHEN I PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT …
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I OWN A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA WITH 38,000 MILES. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION LINKAGE BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS ROUNDING A CORNER AND PREPARING TO DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO NEGOTIATE A LARGE HILL ON A MAIN STREET. I GRABBED THE GEARSHIFT DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH TO DOWNSHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR WHEN I PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT BACK INTO THE 4TH GEAR POSITION THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE POP AND THE THE GEARSHIFT WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE. I LET OUT ON THE CLUTCH AND REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN 5TH GEAR. THE GEARSHIFT WAS OBVIOUSLY NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION BUT I WAS ABLE TO TAKE BACK STREETS TO OUR MECHANIC'S SHOP WHILE AVOIDING ALL STOP LIGHTS. THIS IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT FAILURE OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT. I HAVE OWNED OTHER STANDARD TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND IN THE 12 YEARS I OWNED MY LAST VEHICLE I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10939064
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
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 FUEL DOOR.
NHTSA ODI #10898162
35,000 miles · Jul 8, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
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.
Seats
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.
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year