2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 36,750miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The part named most often is air bags, with 7 complaints (54% of the total), followed by seats (2) and electrical system (1). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 36,750 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the occupant classification filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags7 54%
- Seats2 15%
- Electrical system1 7.7%
- Engine cooling1 7.7%
- Exterior lighting1 7.7%
- Fuel system1 7.7%
- Other or unknown1 7.7%
- Seat belts1 7.7%
- Steering1 7.7%
Example complaints
Air bags: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11253408, filed 2019-09, 30,000 milesSeats: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11719467, filed 2026-02Electrical system: “I am having problems with front low beam headlights, have had to replace them four times in the last year and half. It also affects the interior light of the vehicle and the climate control panel making the heat/cool controls unable to work properly. And the fuel door release lever doesn't open the fuel door.”
NHTSA complaint #10898162, filed 2016-08Engine cooling: “Forty-nine days after purchasing the car it burst into flames from under the hood only moments after my wife had exited the car in her parking lot at a school. The car became a total loss as the fire reached the driver's compartment. Two nearby cars belonging to workmates were also damaged with melted tail lights and blistered paint. No after market equipment had been installed and no service had yet been performed on the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10441353, filed 2011-12, 1,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
75% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 46,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara · SUV AWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 18.5% risk |
| Grand Vitara · SUV RWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 19.1% risk |
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara RWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Grand Vitara RWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Grand Vitara 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 19V187000Mar 7, 2019Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classificationCovers: Suzuki Grand Vitara 2006–2013, Kizashi 2010–2013
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)…
- 17V085000Feb 9, 2017Power train › Manual transmissionCovers: Suzuki Grand Vitara 2009–2013
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.
Recall details for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10216558Jul 8, 2022Suspension, Body and structure. Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
- 10152052Nov 20, 2018Equipment, Suspension. This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension…
Other model years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 13 | 36,750 | 2 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 11 | 35,913 | 4 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 20 | 50,000 | 5 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2009 | 14 | 42,000 | 4 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 42 | 40,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2007 | 58 | 37,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 161 | 46,352 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 8 | 35,500 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 29 | 50,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 47 | 28,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 38 | 52,750 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 85 | 59,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 108 | 57,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Suzuki Grand Vitara model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 7 complaints (54% of the total), followed by seats with 2.
Has the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara (Grand Vitara, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 36,750 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 46,000 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.