2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara Problems

VIN Decoder

Premium Report

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

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.

Sep 05, 2019

SEATBELT LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.

Apr 22, 2019

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND IT JUST SUDDENLY LIT.

Jun 06, 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 DEALER WHERE SUZUKI VEHICLES ARE DEALT WITH AND ITS BEEN SAID THAT SINCE THERES NO RECALL THERES NOTHING TO BE DONE.

Apr 23, 2017

Crash: 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Jul 08, 2016

AIR BAGS,SEATS

1 complaint

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 part needed is not in stock and if it were in stock, they would be charging approximately $2700 for the part not including installation. Please contact Suzuki of America and have them produce more of the part and fund a campaign to replace the faulty replacement parts. Thank you.

Feb 20, 2026

STEERING

1 complaint

TL* 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. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT 02/02/2018 & 02/03/2018 IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECT. *TR

Feb 02, 2018

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS

1 complaint

TROUBLE CODE B1312 OCM SENSOR MAT FAULT. AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT ARE ON ALL THE TIME.

Jan 02, 2018

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

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 BACK STREETS TO OUR MECHANIC'S SHOP WHILE AVOIDING ALL STOP LIGHTS. THIS IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT FAILURE OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT. I HAVE OWNED OTHER STANDARD TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND IN THE 12 YEARS I OWNED MY LAST VEHICLE I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM.

Jan 02, 2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

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.

Aug 24, 2016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

SINCE 2012 I HAVE PURCHASED THIS SUV ITS GIVING ME TROUBLE RELATED TO LOW BEAM LIGHT. I HAVE REPLACED THIS LIGHT FOR AT LEAST 5 TIMES. MANY PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT WEBSITE HAVE REGISTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE HAVING SAME KIND OF PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US TO GET A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE.

Feb 01, 2016

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

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. *TR

Dec 27, 2011

Fire: 1

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

GAS COVER DOESN'T OPEN AFTER PULLING LEVER FROM DRIVERS SEAT. I'VE BEEN TO DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER SAYS TO PUSH LEVER ON HINGE OF COVER. HAD VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS NOW AND HAVE BEEN PUSHING THIS THIN METAL BACK EVERY TIME BUT AT TIMES IT STILL WILL NOT OPEN. BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES NOW AND HE KEEPS TELLING ME TO PUSH THIS THING BACK. FRUSTRATED, I SAID THAT THIS IS A TERRIBLE DESIGN, HE SAID IN RETURN "HONDA HAS SAME FEATURE". I LEFT. *TR

Sep 13, 2011

4.5/5.0

88 reviews

SUZUKI Grand Vitara VIN Decoder — Free VIN Check Video Guide

Watch our quick SUZUKI Grand Vitara VIN decoder walkthrough. Learn how to decode any SUZUKI Grand Vitara VIN number to get full vehicle history, recall alerts, specifications, fuel economy (MPG), safety ratings, and known problems — completely free on ForCar.org.

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your SUZUKI dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara have?

The 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara currently has 13 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara?

The most common problems reported for the 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara?

You can report safety problems with your 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 2012 SUZUKI Grand Vitara. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.