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Suzuki Kizashi Problems

Are you having problems with your Suzuki Kizashi? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Suzuki Kizashi issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Suzuki Kizashi in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Used Suzuki Kizashi review: 2010-2015
By Ewan Kennedy · 15 Feb 2016
Suzuki's strength in Australia for many decades was in clever small cars and excellent 4WDs. Then in January 2010, it made the interesting move into medium-size cars with a new model called Kizashi.Aimed at a huge number of competitors - including the Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord Euro, Mazda6 and Subaru Liberty - in a market segment that wasn't particularly strong, Kizashi was less successful than the importer hoped.It's a good-looker with a powerful appearance that gives a fair touch of sportiness.In August 2010 the Suzuki Kizashi Sport arrived. It surprised all by taking the European route of being offered with all-wheel drive for better traction on slippery surfaces. Ice, snow or just plain rain - not 4WD as in Suzuki SUVs.As befits its title, this Kizashi has a full-on sports body kit, 18-inch alloys and lowered ride height that further enhanced it's already strong appearance.However, the so-called Sport is heavier than the standard front-wheel-drive, but has no more power so is slower in a straight line.The 2.4L engine petrol four produces 131kW and a creditable 230Nm. This is a relatively large car so performance is adequate rather than exciting.The Suzuki Kizashi is relatively tall to provide good interior room. There's better than average legroom in the back seat and four adults can be carried in comfort. Headroom is fine in the standard models, but the sunroof in the topline Kizashis steals a fair bit of height from the back seat.Interior stowage space is good, with large door pockets and several other areas to hold all the little nick-nacks that seem to travel everywhere with us.Boot space is impressive thanks to the tall tail design and the opening is reasonably wide. However, you may find it difficult to get some really bulky items in.On the road the Suzuki Kizashi feels almost European in the strength of the body. Ride comfort remains good even on rough roads and tyre/road noise are generally well subdued, though coarse-chip surfaces do raise noise levels significantly.There is a fair number of Suzuki dealers Australian wide and the big success of the 4WD models mean there are more dealers in country and bush areas than for many other makers in a this market segment.Insurance premiums for the Kizashi vary more than usual for this class, possibly because low sales mean that companies have statistically different experiences with them. Shop around for a good deal, but make sure you're doing accurate comparisons.If you are keen to get the high build quality of a Japanese vehicle, but like the chassis dynamics of a European one then a Suzuki Kizashi should be on your short list of cars.Kizashi is a well-built vehicle with a solid reputation, but it still makes sense to have a professional inspection. Should you wish to do an initial inspection yourself look for the following:Crash damage or signs of repairs, the easiest things for amateurs to spot are ripples in the body panels when viewed end on in good light; tiny paint spots on unpainted areas like glass, badges and trim.Uneven wear on the front tyres and/or damage to the wheel rims probably indicates poor parking, but may also have been caused by a crash.Check the condition of the interior trim, particularly in the rear seat area where it may have been knocked about by the kids.Be sure the engine starts easily and settles into a smooth idle within a few seconds of kicking over. Ideally, do this check with the engine stone cold after an overnight stop.Automatic transmissions should be smooth in their operation, indeed changes should only be noticeable if accelerating hard.Manual gearboxes that crunch on fast down-changes may be about to damage someone's bank account. Make sure it isn't yours.
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Used Suzuki Kizashi review: 2010-2014
By Graham Smith · 21 Jun 2016
Graham Smith reviews the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Suzuki Kizashi as a used buy.
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When should I service my 2010 Suzuki Kizashi?
Answered by David Morley · 24 Jul 2021

Transmissions that are sealed for life always seem like a pretty big statement of faith from a manufacturer, don’t they? Unfortunately, that faith sometimes seems to be misplaced, at which point the car-maker has to issue a service bulletin and change the rules, usually after a number of failures. And automatic or CVT transmissions are a classic case.

That’s exactly what happened to Suzuki in the USA when it issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to cover the US-market version of your car after enough owners reported CVT problems, usually in hot weather when the unit would start to act erratically. The TSB included the new information that, if the car was used in tough conditions, perhaps a CVT fluid change every 50,000km might not be a bad idea.

Given that Australia has similar levels of ambient heat to the US, I don’t think that’s bad advice for an Aussie Kizashi owner, either. Plenty of other car-makers have had to change their recommendations mid-stride, so it’s not just a Suzuki thing. But as any transmission specialist will tell you, heat kills automatics and CVTs, and that starts with a break-down of the fluid which, as well as providing the drive, also cost and lubricates the transmission. For the sake of the few dollars involved, I’d have the fluid in my CVT changed every 50,000km.

What caused Kizashi limp mode?
Answered by Graham Smith · 22 Jan 2016

It would seem that a faulty sensor caused it, and the problem has been fixed by replacing it.

Is there any advantage to using 95 PULP?
Answered by Graham Smith · 07 Nov 2017

It’s a good idea to occasionally run 95 PULP in a car like the Kizashi, it will clean the fuel system, run better, and get a little better fuel economy.

Kizashi on 91RON?
Answered by Paul Gover · 22 Sep 2014

The car’s official Suzuki fuel ranking is regular 91 octane.

Can I customise the lane change signal on my Suzuki Kizashi?
Answered by Graham Smith · 10 Aug 2018

Take it to a dealer and have them do it.

Experience with and Quality of Goodride tyre brand?
Answered by Paul Gover · 25 Jul 2016

I had never heard of the Goodride brand — although it sounds similar to the respected Goodrich in the US — so resorted to a Google search. It showed the parent company is Chinese. I have yet to drive on, or hear of, a decent Chinese tyre. Does that answer your question?

Best car for a sales rep?
Answered by Graham Smith · 07 Oct 2016

I would question the Renault if you're doing lots of kays in then country. I'm sure it would be reliable, but having it serviced when you need to could be an issue if you're away from a main city. The Kia is a good choice, so too are the Mazdas. You could add the Honda Accord, Subaru Liberty and Suzuki Kizashi to your list.

Suzuki Kizashi Sport noise when setting off
Answered by Graham Smith · 16 May 2014

You're right, the noise is the park brake releasing when you take off, or releasing after a short time, it's not the ABS system checking itself.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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