SuzukiSX4 JE2012Overview/suzuki/sx4-je/2012/base/

2012 Suzuki SX4 JE

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

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Suzuki SX4 JE is a passenger car equipped with an automatic transmission utilizing variable gear ratios and an engine serviced with 4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, delivering EPA fuel economy estimates of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Reliability data for this model year records 3 recalls and 40 total owner complaints, with steering identified as the most frequently cited concern area, positioning the vehicle within a mid-range tier of the SX4's durability history characterized by modest but documented issue frequency. For researchers, this profile indicates that while the 2012 variant does not represent the highest-risk production year, scrutiny of steering system condition remains a warranted priority when assessing specific examples.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque62 ft-lbsOEM · verified
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
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · 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.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 62 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0 ft-lbs. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid80W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.2 Pints

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts52 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts62 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148 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
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)52.2-58.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression160
Engine Oil Pressure55-67 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM4000 rpm

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
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.039 in
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

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

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (leak inspection) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 30,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)

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 JE 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 JE. 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

How much oil does the 2012 SX4 JE take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 SX4 JE 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 JE get?

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