Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2013GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual
3 serious complaints of 5, the most about power train (1) and steering (1); 0.2× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2013 vehicles. 6 recalls.
5 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 24–25 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly power train and air bags
22 serious complaints of 23, the most about power train (8) and air bags (8); 1.5× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2012 vehicles. 5 recalls.
What owners report
“Purchased car from family friend about two weeks ago. First day we got the car, it shifted extremely hard. The transmission is causing the RPMs to rise RAPIDLY when trying to shift gears. It also cut ALL movement to the vehicle, meaning could not move forward or reverse. Hard shifting or not shifting at all. Had to get it towed to my home.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, May 2025
“The contact owns a 2012 Suzuki Kizashi. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V187000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the contact was informed that the dealer could not repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer and the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Sep 2024
23 owner complaints · 5 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 24–26 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual
12 serious complaints of 22, the most about air bags (3) and power train (3); 0.8× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2011 vehicles. 5 recalls.
What owners report
“The airbag defect warning light stays on while driving or the car being on. Suzuki depot in sant ana ca replaced the right front passenger seat cushion due to a manufacturer recall. The airbag light for the right front seat soon activated. I took the car to a local shop.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Sep 2020
“I was driving and stop on a red light I heard a loud noise from under the vehicle so put my car on parking the light change so I shift to drive and the vehicle stay (neutral) no matter what gear it is the car stay neutral . So I stay on the car because the was lot of traffic thanks god a cop stop to help me to push the vehicle .”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Sep 2020
22 owner complaints · 5 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 24–26 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated
2010GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly power train and air bags Extended coverage
18 serious complaints of 23, the most about power train (6) and air bags (4); 1.2× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2010 vehicles. 6 recalls.
What owners report
“The vehicle goes in the limp mode while accelerating uphill. At one occasion it went into the limp mode and stalled, very unsafe for highway. Turing it off and restarting needed. The transmission has issues that hasn't been addressed by the manufacturer.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Oct 2022
“Currently have a airbag light on my dash that only goes away for a minute when I hit a bump as well as the passenger seat not detecting there is someone there so their airbag light says its off, no one will help when you call suzuki but they want to keep sending things like fuel tank may crack and occupant classification system or about the airbags, me and…”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Aug 2026
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Cracks may occur at specific locations of the cylinder block which may result in coolant loss and engine overheating. (SI-26, Jan 2019)
- Extended coverage The warranty extension relates to cracks that may occur at specific locations of the cylinder block which may result in coolant loss and engine overheating. (ZF-1, Feb 2019)
- Extended coverage This letter was sent to owners of vehicles included in a warranty extension campaign for a possible cracked cylinder block. (ZF Owner, May 2019)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
23 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 24–26 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | — | — | Not rated | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2013 | 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 24–25 mpg | Not rated | 6 | 5 | Unknown or other (2) | — |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 24–26 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 23 | Power train (8) | — |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 24–26 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 22 | Exterior lighting (9) | — |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 24–26 mpg | Not rated | 6 | 23 | Power train (6) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Trim-by-trim features for Suzuki aren't in our data yet: so far we have them for BMW, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Subaru, Toyota, and more brands are on the way.
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Suzuki Kizashi 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | Suzuki Kizashi 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | Suzuki Kizashi 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 5 |
| 2013 | Suzuki Kizashi 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 5 |
| 2012 | Suzuki Kizashi 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 23 |
| 2012 | Suzuki Kizashi 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 23 |
| 2011 | Suzuki Kizashi 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 22 |
| 2011 | Suzuki Kizashi 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 22 |
| 2010 | Suzuki Kizashi 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 23 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Kizashi | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
24–25 |
| 2013 | Kizashi AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 25 |
| 2013 | Kizashi S | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 24 |
| 2013 | Kizashi S AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 25 |
| 2012 | Kizashi | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
24–25 |
| 2012 | Kizashi AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 25 |
| 2012 | Kizashi S | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
24–26 |
| 2012 | Kizashi S AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 25 |
| 2011 | Kizashi | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
24–25 |
| 2011 | Kizashi AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 25 |
| 2011 | Kizashi S | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
24–26 |
| 2011 | Kizashi S AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 25 |
| 2010 | Kizashi | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
24–26 |
| 2010 | Kizashi AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 25 |
| 2010 | Kizashi S | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
25–26 |
| 2010 | Kizashi S AWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 25 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.