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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2009–2012

Suzuki Equator recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 15 owner complaints for the Suzuki Equator, covering model years 2009 to 2012. The 2010 model year drew the most complaints (7), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Suzuki Equator VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 15 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 4 model years with data (2009–2012)
  • most complaints: 2010 (7 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (6 complaints)
  • latest recall 12V464000 (reported Sep 19, 2012)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Suzuki Equator complaints by model year

4 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2010 model year has the most complaints: 7 of 15, or 46.7%. Next come 2009 (5) and 2011 (2). The fewest are for 2012, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Suzuki Equator owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2009–2012Column chart of 15 complaints across 4 model years. The highest is 2010 with 7. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2009: 5 complaints520092010: 7 complaints720102011: 2 complaints220112012: 1 complaint12012
Suzuki Equator complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Suzuki Equator complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200950000
201070000
201120000
201210000
All model years150000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Suzuki Equator components

top 9 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 6 complaints (40.0% of all 15), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (2) and Seats (2).

Components named most often in Suzuki Equator complaints (top 9)
Components named most often in Suzuki Equator complaints (top 9)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags640.0%
Engine and Engine Cooling213.3%
Seats213.3%
Suspension213.3%
Exterior Lighting16.7%
Fuel System, Other16.7%
Fuel/Propulsion System16.7%
Power Train16.7%
Vehicle Speed Control16.7%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Suzuki Equator recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Equator, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2009 to 2012. The 2010 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

  • 5 recall campaigns
Suzuki Equator recall campaigns covering each model year
2009: 1 campaign2010: 3 campaigns2011: 1 campaign2012: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 12V464000

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Hub

    Model year 2012

    Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2012 Equator two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and eventually crack.

    Consequence:
    If the vehicle is driven with a cracked wheel hub, the wheel hub may break, which would reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    All of the affected vehicles have been quarantined at Suzuki dealers prior to being sold. As such, a recall notification letter will not be issued. Suzuki dealers will replace the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. Customers may contact Suzuki at 1-877-697-8985.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 11V593000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling

    Model years 2011–2012

    Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Equator pickup trucks manufactured from June 16, 2011, through August 31, 2011. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.

    Consequence:
    If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2012. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-714-996-7040.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 10V392000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System)

    Model years 2009–2010

    Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 SX4, 2010 grand vitara, and 2009 through 2010 Equator vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750, 760, and 765 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected GPS units can overheat.

    Consequence:
    Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Suzuki will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on September 24, 2010. Owners may contact garmin directly at 1-866-957-1981 or Suzuki at 1-887-697-8985. Owners may also visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 10V213000

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Control Arm

    Model year 2010

    Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2010 Equator pickup trucks manufactured from November 20, 2009 through March 3, 2010. The lower control link bushing collars, located in the front suspension, may contain welds that do not meet strength specifications. If a collar weld separates, it may change the wheel alignment, potentially allowing the vehicle handling characteristics to deteriorate.

    Consequence:
    This could cause the driver to have difficulty controlling the vehicle which could result in a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace, one or both lower control links on the vehicle free of charge. The safety recall began on June 1, 2010. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 10V118000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive; Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector

    Model year 2010

    Suzuki has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2010 Equator trucks manufactured from February 22, 2010 to March 13, 2010. The fasteners securing the passenger front air bag module, and also the fasteners securing the steering shaft positioning bracket may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, the passenger front air bag deployment trajectory might be affected. The fasteners could possibly come out of the steering column positioning bracket increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the steering column and the passenger front air bag fasteners and any missing fasteners will be replaced and all loose fasteners will be retightened to the proper torque specifications free of charge. All the vehicles have been remedied there fore an owner notification letter was not issued. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.

    Filed by Suzuki Motor USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Suzuki Equator questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Suzuki Equator have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Suzuki Equator, covering model years 2009 to 2012. The most recent, 12V464000, was reported on September 19, 2012 and is filed under “Suspension”. The 2010 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Suzuki Equator model year has the most complaints?

The 2010 model year, with 7 of the 15 complaints in NHTSA’s file (46.7%). The next are 2009 (5) and 2011 (2). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Suzuki Equator complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 6 complaints, or 40.0% of all 15. Engine and Engine Cooling (2) and Seats (2) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Suzuki Equator?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Suzuki dealer.

How many Suzuki Equator complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 15 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Suzuki models

8 models · most complaints first

The Suzuki models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Suzuki VIN decoder with every Suzuki model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Suzuki models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.