SuzukiSX4 Crossover2012Overview/suzuki/sx4-crossover/2012/base/

2012 Suzuki SX4 Crossover

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 SX4 Crossover.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Suzuki SX4 Crossover is classified as a passenger car and is equipped with an automatic transmission using variable gear ratios, returning EPA fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. That pairing of a passenger-car classification with crossover positioning and a variable-ratio automatic frames it as an efficiency-oriented runabout rather than a traditional SUV. For researchers evaluating used examples, this model year carries a reliability footprint of 40 owner complaints and three recalls, with steering cited as the top complaint area—making the steering system a logical first place to focus during any pre-purchase review.

Model year201220112010

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy23/29/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 700 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 700 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length163 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height63.4 in
Wheelbase98.4 in
Curb weight2901 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 29 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume8 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts52 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.70-3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs / 19 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle43.5 ft-lbs / 61.5 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.354 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Finish0.315 μin / 0.787 μin
Drum Maximum Machining8.661 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 degrees, Step 3: 4511 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
115 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
229.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
360 degrees.60 degrees
480 degrees.80 degrees
5Tighten head bolts 2B18.5 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 15 ft. lbs., Step 4: 26 ft. lbs., Step 5: 40 degrees, Step 6: 4037 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2012 Suzuki SX4 Crossover dominate in one area — the steering, 14 of 40 reports (35%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the steering are also the target of recall 18V-804 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
4
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
40
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 40 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering14
Air Bags11
Power Train4
Seats2
Steering,Engine1
Electrical System,Structure1
Air Bags,Seats1
Steering,Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V804000Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:PumpReported 14/11/2018

Suzuki Motor America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Suzuki SX4 vehicles. The power steering pump may seize causing a loss of steering assist. Remedy: Suzuki has notified owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki…

14V811000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)Reported 22/12/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 4 of 4 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SUZ_0160082022-07-08SuspensionReminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension…
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
suz_0137272017-07-06Power TrainThis bulletin describes corrective action needed to address complaints of reduction in…
SUZ_0133772016-10-14Power TrainTHIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF AN IMPROVED DRIVESHAFT FLANGE AND…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific SX4 Crossover. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2012 SX4 Crossover have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the SX4 Crossover get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.