Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Suzuki Equator, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Exterior lighting1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2012 Suzuki Equator failed the safety check 4.38% of the time — 74% more often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 106,380 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 4 variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Suzuki Equator Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | — | 19.8 % |
| 2012 Suzuki Equator Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | — | 21.2 % |
| 2012 Suzuki Equator Extended Cab PU/EC 4WD | — | 19.8 % |
| 2012 Suzuki Equator Extended Cab PU/EC RWD | — | 21.2 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Suzuki told its dealers about the 2012 Suzuki Equator: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10216558 | Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway. |
| 10177599 | These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected. |
| 10177598 | These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected. |
| 10152052 | This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm. |
| 10133216 | This is a revised version of a previously-issued bulletin providing Suzuki Service Providers with details of a customer satisfaction Service Campaign to reprogram the Airbag Control Unit on affected vehicles. The revised bulletin contains programming error code diagnostics to assist the technician in resolving programming difficulties. |
| 10128662 | This Service Campaign Bulletin explains to dealers the details of a customer satisfaction service campaign to reprogram the Airbag Control Unit (ACU) on affected vehicles. The ACU software could allow an unintended deployment of the side curtain airbags under certain driving conditions. These driving conditions typically include vehicle operation on unpaved roads or off-road areas where one side of the vehicle is higher than the other. Attached to the bulletin is a copy of the letter that was sent to known owners of affected vehicles explaining the customer satisfaction service campaign. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)