5 Suzuki Cars With MOST Recalls (Check Before Buying)

Suzuki is a Japanese multinational auto company with headquarters in Minami-Ku, Hamamatsu, Japan. Founded way back in 1909, the company also deals in things like motorcycles, wheelchairs, internal combustion engines, amongst others.

Suzuki became the eleventh biggest automaker in terms of production volume in 2016, with facilities in 23 countries and distribution in 192 countries.

It’s also the tenth best-selling automaker in the world and the third best-selling in its native Japan.

Suzuki boasts tens of millions of sales worldwide, and its models are often referred to as fun and reliable. Its reliability has been affirmed by outlets like ReliabilityIndex, on whose platform the Suzuki has notched great reliability scores as a brand.

With 242 recalls starting in 1980, Suzuki ranks #35 on the list of automobile brands to have issued the most recalls. AFRC.org further reveals that Suzuki actually accounts for less than 1% of the total recalls listed in the NHTSA database.

To analyze these figures, below is a list of Suzuki models with the most recalls:

1. Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is the second and third-generation variant of the Suzuki Vitara, a line of SUVs manufactured since 1988.

Classified as a compact SUV with incredible power and efficiency, the Suzuki Grand Vitara had an excellent run globally while being relatively affordable.

Number of Recalls

Of the total number of recalls for Suzuki, 60 of those belong to the Grand Vitara. This makes it the most-recalled Suzuki model on record while accruing 24.8% of the total, according to ARFC.org’s estimation.

The 7 recalls listed for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara are enough to make it the most-recalled Grand Vitara model on record. The 2010 Grand Vitara notches the second position with 6 recalls, and the 2001, 2009, and 2011 model years share the #3 spot with 5 recalls each.

These models alone account for the bulk of the Grand Vitara’s recalls, so you may want to exercise some vigilance before buying them.

As for the least-recalled models, the 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara gets that honor with just 1 recall on record. The 2004 Grand Vitara accompanies it at the #2 spot with 2 recalls and the 2012 and 2013 Grand Vitara models with 3 each.

Below are some problems that have been stated as reasons for the Grand Vitara’s recalls:

• Airbag faults (possible shrinking of the front passenger leather seat due to high temperature, which could affect the detection of the occupant detection sensor)
• Fuel system issues (freezing of moisture in the fuel pressure regulator under ambient temperature and increase in fuel system pressure, ultimately resulting in fuel loss)
• Powertrain issues (possible breakage of gear shift rear shaft effectively preventing a gear replacement; possible crack in left side of the retainer rear drive shaft leading to gears being stuck due to oil leakage; possible malfunction/inoperativeness of selector lever “park” lock function)
• Seat problems (possible shrinking of the front passenger leather seat due to high temperature)
• Vehicle speed control problems (crack in accelerator cable casing cap, which may lead to the inner accelerator cable becoming frayed)

Related: 5 Infiniti Models With The Most Recalls (Read Before Buying)

2. Suzuki Kizashi

The Suzuki Kizashi is a mid-size car produced and marketed by Suzuki and officially unveiled in the U.S. in 2009. It was sold in the U.S. between 2010 and the 2013 model years until Suzuki announced gradual discontinuation of the model globally.

During its time, however, it achieved immense critical acclaim and was named the “Best Buy” in 2011 by Consumers Digest.

Number of Recalls

The Kizashi has been recalled no less than 30 times, and Suzuki issued the first recall for the model in 2010. This figure makes it the second most-recalled Suzuki model, and it also represents 12.4% of all Suzuki recalls, according to ARFC.org.

NHTSA records reveal that the 2010 Kizashi, the first model, and the 2013 Kizashi, which is the last, have the joint most recalls with 8. The second spot is also shared by the 2011 and 2012 Suzuki Kizashi models with 7 each.

These figures, within such a relatively short time, indicate a variety of functional problems with Suzuki Kizashi models. Hence, we advise conducting meticulous background checks before buying a used Kizashi model.

Below is a list of recall-worthy issues that have plagued Suzuki Kizashi models:

• Airbag faults (possible malfunction of front passenger seat occupant classification system by way of mis-classifying an adult passenger as a child thereby deactivating the airbags)
• Fuel system issues (possible invasion of spiders who may weave a web in the evaporative canister hose, causing a blockage and excessive level of negative fuel pressure)
• Powertrain issues (possible failure of transmission control module and resultant reduction in speed and overall vehicle acceleration; shift selector could be taken out of the “park” position without the input of the brake pedal)
• Seat problems (possible shrinking of the front passenger leather seat due to high temperature)

Related: 5 Mazda Models With The Most Recalls (Check Before Buying!)

3. Suzuki SX4

The Suzuki SX4 is classified as a subcompact crossover SUV and has been in production since 2006. Now in its second generation, the Suzuki SX4 is sold in a few markets globally, and it has been withdrawn from the U.S.

It has achieved a respectable level of success, selling several hundreds of thousands of units globally and receiving above-average ratings from pundits.

Number of Recalls

With 24 recalls on record, the Suzuki SX4 is the third most-recalled Suzuki model in history. An estimation by ARFC.org further reveals that about 9.9% of all Suzuki recalls are held by the Suzuki SX4.

The 2010 and 2013 models of the Suzuki SX4 have the joint most recalls amongst all the models, with 5 each. Recalls for these models alone represent almost half of the total recalls for the SX4. At the #2 spot, we have the 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012 models of the SX4, with 3 recalls each.

With just 2 recalls, the 2007 Suzuki SX4 is the least-recalled SX4 model.

Below is a list of issues that have necessitated recalls for the Suzuki SX4:

• Powertrain issues (Bolts attaching the drive plate to the torque converter may be improperly torqued; shift selector could be taken out of the “park” position without the input of the brake pedal)
• Airbag faults (possible failure of the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat, resulting in dangerous airbag deployment regardless of whether the occupant is a child)
• Steering problems (improper clearance between the pump body and the fluid control valve of the power steering, which may result in seizure of the power steering pump)
• Visibility defects (possible loosening of the three screws fastening the outside rearview mirrors to the mirror base due to vibration)

4. Suzuki Forenza

The Suzuki Forenza debuted in the 2004 model year, and the 2008 model year was its last, according to Cars.com. U.S. News described it as a “basic, budget-friendly car”; however, its safety score and engine power were deemed beyond underwhelming.

Number of Recalls

Suzuki has recalled the Forenza 18 times, making it the fourth most-recalled Suzuki model on record. ARFC.org also estimates that the Forenza’s recall figure represents 7.4% of all Suzuki recalls since 1980.

Of the 18 recalls, the 2004 Suzuki Forenza alone has 6, making it the Forenza model with the most recalls. It is joined at the top by the 2006 Suzuki Forenza with 5 recalls, and the 2005 Suzuki Forenza with 4 recalls.

The 2008 Suzuki Forenza, which was also the last Forenza model, is the least-recalled model with just 1 recall. 2 recalls put the Suzuki Forenza at second on the list.

Below is a list of issues that have triggered recalls for the Suzuki Forenza:

• Exterior lighting issues (excessive heat in the headlamp switch or daytime running light module resulting in a meltage of the headlamp switch or DRL module; possible misadjustment of brake light switch when force is applied to the brake pedal)
• Electrical system faults (increased resistance as a result of poor contact between terminals and resultant loss of low/high beam)
• Seatbelt problems (incomplete latching of front seatbelt tongue into the buckle, leading to random and unintended buckle release)

Related: 5 Subaru Models With Most Recalls (Check Before Buying)

5. Suzuki XL-7

The Suzuki XL-7 was a mid-size SUV manufactured and sold by Suzuki between 1998 and 2009. Its production spanned two generations, during which it sold over a hundred thousand units until its discontinuation in 2009.

Number of Recalls

With 14 recalls listed in the NHTSA database, the Suzuki XL-7 is the fifth most-recalled Suzuki model. It also takes up approximately 5.8% of all Suzuki recalls since 1980.

Each of the recalled XL-7 models, including the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 models, has 2 recalls. Hence, it is safe to say the title for the least-recalled and the most-recalled XL7 model belongs to all the models equally.

Below is a list of functional problems listed as reasons for Suzuki SL-7 recalls:

• Service brake problems (possible breakage of front brake discs in severe driving conditions, especially when the vehicle is often driven on paved-down slopes)
• Vehicle speed control issues (crack in accelerator cable casing cap which may lead to the inner accelerator cable becoming frayed)
• Fuel system issues (crack in return port or plastic supply of the fuel pump module and possible fuel leak)
• Steering defects (likely deterioration of plastic material on the tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt and resultant breakage of pulley into pieces)

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