2012 Suzuki Kizashi problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 23 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Suzuki Kizashi has 23 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 8 complaints, typically surfacing around 104,750 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Kizashi | 22 | 1 |
| 2011 Kizashi | 22 | 0 |
| 2012 Kizashi (this page) | 23 | 0 |
| 2013 Kizashi | 5 | 4 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Suzuki Kizashi? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 104,750 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 49,810 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 46,667 mi · ~$700 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2012 Suzuki Kizashi
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
While driving on local road, the power steering warning light illuminated on dash and steering became extremely heavy. Sudden, unexpected failure of electrical power assist in steering. If this occurred while driving at a high rate of speed and/or in a curve, car would have been…
When accelerating onto the on-ramp of the highway, the car began to reduce in speed, and make a high pitched whining noise while the rpms increased, but the speed of the car continued to slow until it stopped. The check engine light came on, and I took it to my mechanic, who…
The contact owns a 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact had previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V343000 (Air Bags) in 2019. The contact took the vehicle to the local…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Suzuki Kizashi?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 8 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 23 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 104,750 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 104,750 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Suzuki Kizashi has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Suzuki Kizashi?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 23 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.