2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls and problems

The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 2 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Suzuki dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

1 / 1

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls

Recall 19V-187: Air Bags, Seats

Reported Mar 7, 2019 · 31,302 vehicles affected · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 17V-085: Power Train

Reported Feb 9, 2017 · 791 vehicles affected · Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the transmission cannot be shifted, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	7
Seats	2
Fuel System, Gasoline	1
Engine and Engine Cooling	1
Exterior Lighting	1
Electrical System	1
Unknown or Other	1
Power Train	1
Seat Belts	1
Steering	1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 38,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Feb 20, 2026

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…

Air Bags · at 30,000 miles · reported Sep 5, 2019

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.

Steering · at 35,000 miles · reported Feb 2, 2018

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. The consumer stated contact the manufacturer about 02/02/2018 & 02/03/2018 in reference to the defect.

Air Bags · reported Apr 23, 2017

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…

Power Train · at 38,500 miles · reported Jan 2, 2017

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…

Other Suzuki Grand Vitara years

201320122011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Suzuki Grand Vitara years · All Suzuki models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara: 19V-187 (air bags, seats), 17V-085 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Owners report air bags problems most often (7 reports), followed by seats (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 38,500 miles.

Are Suzuki recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Suzuki dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.