Kizashi (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
J24B
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
Suzuki Kizashi Unidentified Engine
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Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Suzuki Kizashi, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi
On a used 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (18), the airbags and driver-assist systems (15) and the electrical system (13). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 13 owner complaints on the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi about the engine.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 10 owner complaints on the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi about the fuel system.
Recalls (7)
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.
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.
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.
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2013 Suzuki Kizashi and SX4 vehicles equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Transmission Control Module (TCM) may fail causing a reduction in speed or reduced vehicle acceleration.
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.
Show 2 older recalls
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.
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 KIZASHI PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 13, 2009 THROUGH MAY 31, 2010. THE HINGED DOOR OF THE CENTER LOWER BOX LOCATED IN THE FRONT DASHBOARD AREA FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Subcompact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi complaints?
Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the safety systems and the electrical system.
Is the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi have?
NHTSA has 73 owner complaints on file for the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2010-2013 Suzuki Kizashi vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Suzuki Kizashi?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the safety systems and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Kizashi?
The 2013 Suzuki Kizashi received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 73 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-18.