Constant humming from the rear hatch lock actuator -- and the rear hatch partially unlocks and unlatches itself while the car is in motion. The power locking system is malfunctioning completely. The daytime running lights and automatic indoor dome light also stopped working. I replaced the rear hatch lock actuator with a brand new suzuki part, but determined this is not the cause of the problem. Per the attached pdfs of online repair forum posts, apparently all of these issues are part of a circuit that normally is activated when one releases the parking brake. According to those who investigated the problem in some depth (see the attached pdfs), a short in this circuit ends up causing one of the terminals in the body control module ("bcm") to burn out. This is a safety issue because (I) it is dangerous to have the rear hatch release and/or fly open while driving, and (ii) the daytime running lights also are disabled by this electrical failure. I made suzuki aware of this problem in december 2018 and again today. The problem likely entails a repair cost greater than $1,000, but suzuki is unwilling to take any action.
The worst 2011 Suzuki SX4 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission4
- Airbags3
- Electrical3
- Lights2
- Body1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission4
- Airbags3
- Electrical3
- Lights2
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Wheels1
Recalls 3
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the shift selector is moved out of the "Park" position while the brake pedal is not depressed, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift selector assembly and inspect, and if necessary, replace the shift knob, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1‑714‑996‑7040. Suzuki's number for this recall is VL.
Recall number 14V811000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
- Risk
- Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
- Remedy
- Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1‑800‑934‑0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.
Recall number 13V405000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 suzuki grand vitara multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines; model year 2011 suzuki grand vitara multipurpose passenger vehicles produced prior to october 17, 2010; model year 2010 suzuki sx4 passenger vehicles; and 2011 suzuki sx4 passenger vehicles produced prior to october 14, 2010. The tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt that operates the alternator, water pump, air conditioner compressor and power steering pump, has an improperly manufactured internal spring that can break due to repeated stress. If the spring breaks, the drive belt will not be adjusted properly and can slip, causing a squeaking noise. Or the drive belt could come off causing the driver to increase to steer the vehicle. This can also cause the coolant temperature indication to rise, which can lead to the engine overheating, or can cause the charging light to come on, which can lead to battery discharge and engine stall.
- Risk
- If the drive belt comes off, requiring the driver to use increased steering effort, or the engine stalls, a vehicle crash could occur
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the tension adjuster pulley with an improved part. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 16, 2011. Owners may contact suzuki at 1‑887‑697‑8985 or visit suzuki's website at http://www.suzukiauto.com.
Recall number 11V055000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2011 Suzuki SX4
Defect investigations
Occupant Classification System Failure
Suzuki Motor of America is conducting a safety recall to remedy the occupant classification system's (OCS) sensor mats in approximately 193,936 model year 2006-2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4 vehicles (see the federal safety agency recall 13V‑405 for more details).The sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat can develop an electrical circuit disconnection as a result of repeated flexing of the seat from use of the seat.According to Suzuki, when the failure occurs, the OCS system, by design, will not suppress the frontal passenger air bag for a seated child or small-stature adult.A deploying passenger air bag can cause serious injury to such an occupant.The recall population excludes those vehicles that previously had proper remedies under the special coverage campaign for this issue (~11,600) that began in July 2012.The recall remedy will be to install a new front passenger seat cushion assembly that includes an improved OCS sensor mat and an OCS control module with updated algorithms designed to properly identify the type/size of the seated occupant.Consequently, this recall action will address various OCS related problems, including a programming error (associated with diagnostic trouble code B1318) related to detecting a change or shifting in load on the front passenger seat in the model year 2009 Grand Vitara and SX4 vehicles.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification numbers: 10178750, 10185778, 10200217, 10200123, 10206368, 10217021, 10250561, 10254251, 10263756, 10283309, 10285166, 10294320, 10316125, 10323718, 10324530, 10326910, 10332645, 10347204, 10348957, 10349038, 10350237, 10353604, 10354901, 10355400, 10364190, 10367631, 10369777, 10371056, 10373558, 10375165, 10375789, 10376071, 10376621, 10378154, 10380794, 10382860, 10392447, 10392434, 10392599, 10393975, 10395430, 10395602, 10395821, 10395983, 10398172, 10400092, 10400035, 10401106, 10401424, 10404772, 10405359, 10406459, 10407500, 10409412, 10409993, 10413235, 10418162, 10419237, 10419578, 10425035, 10425212, 10426703, 10434905, 10435090, 10435091, 10437600, 10437892, 10437994, 10438100, 10438501, 10438613, 10439357, 10439979, 10440088, 10442968, 10442759, 10442883, 10443173, 10443592, 10443594, 10444434, 10445034, 10445447, 10446215, 10446580, 10447689, 10448161, 10448446, 10448499, 10448554, 10449238, 10450746, 10451260, 10452961, 10453168, 10453403, 10453376, 10454445, 10454978, 10455231, 10455529, 10456043, 10456367, 10456407, 10459063, 10460417, 10460510, 10462016, 10463337, 10464941, 10464693, 10467988, 10468641, 10479583, 10479929, 10481120, 10484053, 10484863, 10486369, 10486729, 10487379, 10491755, 10499622, 10506034, 10508282, 10511057, 10511439, 10512962, 10521656, 10521779, 10523512, 10523931, 10524266, 10526435, 10533196, 10535513, 10537314, 10537619, 10543672, 10544287.
PE13021
Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Suzuki SX4 9
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts...
- This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile...
- This bulletin describes corrective action needed to address complaints of reduction in engine power output...
- This bulletin announces the availability of an improved driveshaft flange and differential side oil seal...
- Suzuki: warranty extension for 'air bag' warning light illumination
- Suzuki: due to repeated flexing, the front passenger sensing system circuit located within seat bottom...
- Suzuki: on certain vehicles, within the front passenger seat bottom cushion, the sensing sensor mat, an...
- Suzuki: the reprogramming of the CVT controller (TCM) is an emission service campaign for model year 2012.
- Suzuki: on certain my 2012 vehicles (SX4/kizashi) equipped with continuously variable transmission (CVT),...
2011 Suzuki SX4 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22-25 | 29-32 | 25-28 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 22-23 | 29 | 25 |
What 2011 Suzuki SX4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 suzuki sx4. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 20 MPH and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the failure occurred every day for the past three weeks. The vehicle was taken to fitzgerald wheaton (10915 georgia avenue, wheaton, md 20902) where it was diagnosed that the pressure control shift solenoid "b" failed and the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,280.
Vehicle stalled without warning. Vehicle is difficult to steer when all electrical power went out. The only thing showing on the dashboard is the engine symbol. Vehicle starts without problem after incident.
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 suzuki sx4. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v811000 (power train) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 suzuki sx4. While operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v405000 (air bags); however, upon inspection by the dealer, the vehicle was diagnosed with a failure on the driver side air bag that caused the warning light to illuminate. The contact was informed that the air bag was previously repaired on the passenger side. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 suzuki sx4. While proceeding through traffic at approximately 15 MPH, the contact had to make a sudden stop to avoid entering the intersection on the red light. A driver entering the intersection failed to stop and crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The passenger and driver side frontal air bags failed to deploy. The passenger and contact suffered back injuries, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. In addition, the contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v405000 (air bags) in may of 2014. The dealer stated that the part was not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 suzuki sx4. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning light remained illuminated although the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v405000 (air bags); however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. Updated 12/2/14*cn the consumer stated the failure was passed its warranty therefore the cost for repair would not be covered. Updated 05/7/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 suzuki sx4. While driving at an unknown speed, the electrical components failed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 suzuki sx4. The contact stated there was a crack on the side of the valve stem that caused a slow leak in the tire. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30000.
2011 suzuki sx 4 crossover. Consumer writes in regards to gas mileage and transmission issues *tgw the consumer stated the dealer informed him, it would take up to 5,000 miles in order for him to get 23 mpg. The consumer also stated there was a hesitation within the transmission while driving.
Compare the 2011 Suzuki SX4
Other model years
Questions about the 2011 Suzuki SX4
Is the 2011 Suzuki SX4 reliable?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2011 Suzuki SX4, fewer than a typical SX4 model year.
What is the 2011 Suzuki SX4 year score?
The 2011 Suzuki SX4 scores 88 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Suzuki SX4: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Suzuki SX4?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints. Next is airbags (3).
How many recalls does the 2011 Suzuki SX4 have?
3 recalls, covering power train, air bags and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Suzuki SX4 transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V811000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Suzuki SX4 get?
Official estimates for the 2011 Suzuki SX4 range from 25 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-25 city and 29-32 highway.
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