2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

20112013
Complaints
17
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
2

Worst 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#17 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:49,367 mi
Crash-related:1
#22 complaints

Seat-Related Issues

#31 complaints

Electrical Faults

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
49,367
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~32,093 vehicles.

19V187000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification · Seats
~31,302 affected

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.

17V085000Manual Transmission
~791 affected

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.

Other Suzuki Grand Vitara Years

199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 17 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 7 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Top reported problems: Airbags (7 complaints, avg 49,367 mi); Seat-Related Issues (2 complaints); Electrical Faults (1 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 49,367 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara include 1 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 32,093 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Suzuki Grand Vitara reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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