- How reliable are Suzuki cars
- Is the Suzuki Swift reliable?
- Is Suzuki Vitara reliable?
- Why is Suzuki reliable?
- What are the common Suzuki problems?
- How reliable are consumer reports?
- Suzuki vs. Honda vs. Kia; Which is more reliable?
- What are the most reliable Suzuki cars?
- What are the most unreliable Suzuki cars?
- What are our final thoughts?
Are you in need of a reliable vehicle with great reviews and even better build quality? Perhaps you’re curious whether Suzuki is as reliable as they’re made out to be? Are they as dependable as their Japanese counterparts? This article will provide you with an honest and unbiased assessment of everything you need to know, while also comparing them to their rivals.
Japanese car manufacturers are well known for their build quality and excellent reliability.
In 2014, Suzuki was thought to be the ninth biggest automaker by production worldwide. They now have 35 main production facilities in 23 countries, 133 distributors across 192 countries, and are tenth in the world’s automobile sales.
But, how reliable are Suzuki’s? Are they as dependable as their Japanese counterparts?
In this article, we look at how reliable Suzuki’s are, and compare them to their competitors.
How reliable are Suzuki cars?
As we said, Japanese car manufacturers are renowned for their reliability and Suzuki is no different.
The Telegraph put Suzuki 2nd in their reliability table, coming in behind only Skoda. Suzuki had just 79 problems per 100 vehicles, well below the industry average. Suzuki also came second in the WhatCar reliability survey behind Honda. This survey was done with WarrantyDirect and analysed 50,000 WarrantyDirect policies on three to eight-year-old vehicles.
ReliabilityIndex have also placed Suzuki high up on the list for reliability. Suzuki came in third behind Daihatsu and Honda who came first and second respectively. Suzuki scored a reliability index of just 50, which is well above the industry average of 118.
Individual models also do very well. WarrantyDirect named the Suzuki Jimny and the Suzuki Vitara as the second and third most reliable SUVs.
Which? states that Suzuki is one of the most reliable manufacturers out there, second only to Lexus and tied with Toyota. In their 2021 survey with 48,034 owners, covering 56,853 cars, they commented that only 11% of owners reported a fault of any type and an extremely low 0.9% of cars up to 4 years old either suffered a breakdown or failed to start. This is why Which? gave Suzuki a 5-star rating for 0-4-year-old cars.
Which? also commended Suzuki as their vehicles remain problem-free as they age, with only 15% of 5-9-year-old Sukuzi owners having an issue in the year prior to the survey. The percentage of cars that either broke down or refused to start also only went up by 1%, giving 5-9-year-old Suzuki cars another 5-star rating.
After the 10-year mark is when these vehicles start to have issues, with 39% of Sukuzi owners reporting some sort of issue with their 10 or more-year-old vehicle. However, the statistics are still lower than the average as only 6.7% of these owners commented that their vehicle broke down or failed to start, which is lower than the 8.6% average for this age group. This age group received a decent 4-star rating.
Is the Suzuki Swift reliable?
The Suzuki Swift also does well according to ReliabilityIndex. They have a rating of good and a reliability index of 71. Many owners have given the Suzuki Swift full marks on AutoExpress for their dependability as well, so the Swift is a good option if you are looking for a city car that won’t let you down.
With the sixth-generation vehicle coming out in 2017, it was met with an all-new platform. Set to rival small hatchbacks such as the Ford Fiesta and the Citroen C3, it also received a slight engine update in 2020.
Which? gave this sixth-gen model 5 out of 5 stars for reliability and praised the vehicle on its dependability. With 86% of cars having no faults, it is well past the average of 78% of this age group. Additionally, the problems that did occur were generally minor. Plus, those that did face issues, only spent half a day off the road. Finally, zero cars broke down in the year prior to Which?’s survey which further emphasizes how reliable this vehicle is.
Is the Suzuki Vitara reliable?
As mentioned earlier, the Suzuki Vitara was named the third most reliable SUVs on the market. This is actually Suzuki’s first compact crossover, putting efficiency and looks first.
Which? commended the Vitara for its reliability, stating that it was “a near-epitome of reliability”. They also give the crossover 5 stars for both younger and older models. The younger model received excellent results, with an incredible 89% of cars having no faults whatsoever. While the average breakdown rate for this age group is 5%, Suzuki cars were found to have a rate of less than a third of the average. For those small number of vehicles that did need repairs, they only spent just over a day off the road.
While the 5-9-year-old age group did face more problems as they age, the figure of fault-free vehicles dropped to 81%, which is still extremely impressive even when compared to some newer cars. The time off the road did stay relatively low, growing to 2 and a half days.
Which? commented that the only weakness in the Suzuki Vitara was the 9% of owners who unfortunately had engine issues, including spark plug-related issues. While some of these problems were at least moderately serious, the low fault rate means that there is a very low chance of drivers needing to take the car to garages.
Overall, it appears that Suzuki are a great option if you want a manufacturer you can count on.
Why are Suzuki reliable?
Why are Suzuki so reliable?
One of the reasons Suzuki may be so reliable is down to their technology, or lack of it.
You will tend to find that the more premium branded cars are let down when it comes to reliability. And many put this down to the fact that they have heaps of new technology that can quite often go wrong. This modern technology, such as the addition of infotainment systems and self-drive technology, can be hard to repair and expensive to replace. This can seriously bring down their reliability ratings.
However, Suzuki makes affordable, well-built cars that don’t necessarily come with such advanced technology. This isn’t a bad thing as it makes the overall cost considerably less than some premium brands, and it also means they are less prone to breaking down.
Also, because Suzuki offers affordable cars, the parts are likely to be more easily sourced and less expensive to repair, keeping repair costs low should something go wrong.
Essentially, Suzuki cars could be so reliable because they have a much more no-frills approach to their cars. Their parts may also be more affordable and easier to source which also increases the reliability rating. This is by no means a bad thing as Suzuki is a brand that makes affordable, well-built cars that get you where you want to be. Plus, it only makes sense that these cars are just as reliable as they are affordable.
What are the common Suzuki problems?
When you are looking at getting a new car, whether it’s brand new or second-hand, then you should know about some of the problems you may encounter further down the line. Some of the common problems owners have had with Suzuki include;
- Low beam head light-bulb burns out prematurely
- This has been reported a few times and seems to be an issue with Suzuki models
- Check engine light due to poor fuel quality
- Some Suzuki models are sensitive to poor-quality fuel and this means the check engine light can switch on
- Failed timing chain tensioner
- This can cause rattling from the bonnet. You can get this replaced, but it can be costly.
How reliable are consumer reports?
The reason we use expert reviews, consumer reports and surveys is because they are accurate when it comes to looking at a car’s longevity. Websites such as Which? are a great source of this information.
They gather their data from self-reports from owners who report on any problems they may have had with their models. This information is then used to determine dependability.
Other sources such as WarrantyDirect are also accurate. WarrantyDirect provides tens of thousands of extended warranties to drivers of all makes and models. When a customer makes a claim, they can then record it. Over a period of time, they build up a database of what has gone wrong on what car, at how many miles etc. It can then be put into a table to determine which cars are the most reliable and which aren’t.
While using consumer reports is a good way of determining longevity, they are not without fault. You cannot necessarily determine the dependability of a new car. It simply hasn’t been on the road long enough. This can often be resolved by using predicted dependability which draws on the make and model’s reliability in the past to come to a conclusion.
Suzuki vs. Honda vs. Kia; Which is more reliable?
Now, how does Suzuki compare with their rivals, Honda and Kia?
If you’re considering just one of the three cars then you’re in luck because all three of these brands are known for their longevity.
The Telegraph placed Kia 3rd behind Suzuki with 80 problems per 100 vehicles. Interestingly, Honda was much lower at 15th with 117 problems per 100 vehicles. This is odd for Honda but is still a good ranking. On ReliabilityIndex, Honda came 2nd with a reliability index of 42 which was just one place higher than Suzuki. Kia didn’t do as well in this table, coming in 21st with a reliability index of 112. This is still above average but it isn’t as low as Suzuki or Honda. Also, on ReliabilityIndex, the Suzuki Alto was set as the 10th best car.
However, it’s not all bad for Kia as in 2016, Kia was ranked the number 1 brand for reliability by J.D Power. They were also placed 6th out of 10 by CNN for reliability. It appears that each brand has been commended for its reliability at some point in recent years. So, if you are deciding between the three and it comes down to dependability, then all three of them are solid options.
What are the most reliable Suzuki cars?
Some of the most dependable Suzuki models are;
- Suzuki Jimny
- Suzuki Grand Vitara
- Suzuki SX4
These all score highly on ReliabilityIndex and have also been commended elsewhere for their reliability.
What are the most unreliable Suzuki cars?
However, the Suzuki cars that have ranked slightly lower include;
- Suzuki Baleno
This car isn’t unreliable, it should be noted. It has just been simply ranked lower by various outlets and is probably more reliable than many other models out there. However, when you have a brand as dependable as Suzuki, your least reliable car is still going to be pretty reliable.
What are our final thoughts?
In conclusion, Suzuki is a really reliable car brand. This has been backed up by various outlets including Which?, WarrantyDirect, ReliabilityIndex and further consumer feedback. The Jimny and Vitara have been ranked some of the best SUVs for reliability and their other vehicles are just as reliable. If you are trying to decide between Kia, Suzuki and Honda then any of these three brands will do you well when it comes to reliability. That said, it appears that Suzuki has been more consistent in their reliability, placing highly in a variety of outlets where Kia or Honda have fallen. Ultimately, it depends on what you want in a car, but if you want reliability then a Suzuki is a good option.
One of the most laughable articles Ive read in a long time. Suzuki has repeatedly been ranked horribly because of their terrible design problems, support, and warranty. And Kia has a FAR higher ranking in the years you cited than what you published. No Suzuki is not a reliable car, even if its the least reliable than the three (which, by the way, is not even close). Here’s an article detailing as such, from a reporter who actually does their research…
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a18743309/suzuki-ends-u-s-car-sales-why-it-had-to-do-it/
Hi Henry,
Thank you for your comment and sharing your views. The information we used as source material for the article is from respected sources in the UK such as ReliabilityIndex and WarrantyDirect. Data changes year on year and the details used were right at the time the article was published.
OSV’s article is more recent, published in 2017 versus the 2012 article car and driver article which actually was not looking at reliability but at the reasons why Suzuki had to end car sales in the US. Two different issues. Thanks, Holly, for the detailed review of Suzuki. It was helpful and quite easy to read for a non car buff such as myself.
Hi Oseble,
Thank you for your feedback. We work hard to ensure that our articles are clear and not full of jargon that makes them exclusive to experts. I hope you continue to enjoy the pieces on our site.
I have had a Suzuki Swift for 10 years and over 130k Kilometers with no problems at all. My personal experience with Suzuki has been excellent. The exterior of the car does have thin metal and plastic which can be damaged easily, but the overall engine, transmission and other parts have stood the test of time.
Hi James,
Thank you for your informative comment on the Suzuki Swift and its reliability. It’s always great to hear from someone who has had a positive experience with a vehicle.
I had five Suzuki vehicles one Ignis and four swift’s and I had no problems what so ever,
I had have also Mitsubishi l200 Toyota hilux and Nissan Juke, the only one had no problems was the Mitsubishi l200 so I am going back to Suzuki Jimny 2019 model can’t wait to get my hands on one , just want to say thanks Suzuki for making very reliable cars keep up the good work.
Hi Ricardo,
The Suzuki Jimny has certainly been a popular one this year, winning the best 4×4 of the year at the UK Car of the Year awards this year, which put it in the running for overall Best Car of the Year (though it was pipped to the post by the Jaguar I-PACE.
I hope that you continue to enjoy your time with the Jimny. If you are looking for help in getting your new vehicle, and are based in the UK, I know that our vehicle specialists would be only too happy to help.
Hi,have had a Suzuki swift sr2 since 2008 have done160,000 km’s,not one problem in all that time not even brake pads or muffler problem,best car ever.
Thank you Terry,
It’s always wonderful to hear from someone who has had a good experience with a vehicle.
I had 2005 Suzuki ignis with over 150000 kms from new with no problems at all ,
Ultra reliable and great gearbox and engine and very smooth.
I had to trade in my suzuki swift because the power steering disengaged twice and to repair it would have cost $4000 (the price of a new steering column ) but that wouldn’t have fixed it because the component is part of the column.
So l bought a new hybrid Toyota Corolla.
Hi Stamatis,
I am sorry that you experienced this issue with your Suzuki. I hope that you are enjoying driving your new Toyota Corolla Hybrid.
I have owned a Suzuki sx4 2013 AWD. Enjoyed my car very much. Very reliable I put on it 100,000 KM. Going to change it for a Grand Vitara need a stronger 4×4. Love the brand, nice reliable not very expensive cars. Suzuki keep up the good work.
Hi Mario,
Thank you for your comment. Suzuki are doing very well at the moment, and their Jimny is proving very popular.
i have a 2006 grand vitara which myfather used before me. 200,000km and still going fast and strong.
Had to replace a wheel bearing last year but no problems beside that.
Hi,
Thank you for sharing your experience of the Grand Vitara. It appears that you have had a very good length of time to get to know the vehicle and enjoy driving it. I am sure that our readers will find this information helpful if they are looking at purchasing or leasing a Suzuki.
I have had suzuki motorcycles and their GSinline fours were amazing as are the single cylinder DR650 motorcycle engines. It seems the v twin 650 and 1000cc engines are great. The clutches are the weakness but are still very robust. Their cars are good and the 1000ccto 1500cc are used in the aeromomentum aircraft engines used in small aircraft and this shows how excellent their engines are
2015 Suzuki swift after 2 years corrosion all over
under rubber door seal, electrical plastic connector prematurely breaks. Front suspension poorly made. Expect to replace earlier than expected. Insane poor unreliable car
Hi Jar,
Many thanks for your comment. We would recommend you have a look at some owner forums to discover if this is a common issue with the model you have purchased. I am sure that our readers will find your experience helpful when they come to purchase or lease their new vehicles.
Suzuki Alto 2010 owner here. I have 160000 km on the clock. I had to change the wheel bearings (this is a common problem for both suzuki alto and nissan pixo sister car) other than that still going strong. Purchased it for 8200 euro in Cyprus, very reliable, econominal car. I have to get something bigger but i do not want to let it go, such a lovely little machine.
Hi Theo,
Thank you for commenting on the reliability of your Suzuki. It sounds as though you have had many good miles out of it so far. We are sure that our readers will find your experience interesting.
I own a Suzuki Vitara S 2017, the car was brand new and still i have no problems with it while it has 35,000 km’s. A great brand in terms of reliability, i had some issues with the paint a small rusty circle on the hood but i think that was my fault for driving with high speeds on damaged roads and most probably a pebble hit that side. Furthermore the car is amazing and i would recommend anyone to buy a Suzuki brand vehicle. Hope they continue to offer this reliability in the nearby future.
Hi Alex,
Thank you for your comment on the reliability of your current vehicle. Many have very favourable views of the manufacturer, especially models like the Vitara and the Jimny. Of course, everyone has different views, but we always like to maintain an unbiased perspective as everyone has their favourite makes and models and will, in most cases, remain loyal to them.
I had a diesel 2004 Grand Vitara in the UK traded in for a 2005 XL-7 also diesel. When I emigrated to the USA I brought a 2002 XL-7 petrol V-6. Despite Suzuki having long departed from the US there are quite a few about still, and I had no concerns about buying one here. Simple reliable cars, wearing replacement parts easy to source still, manual 4WD high, 4WD low and 2 wheel drive selectors. All Japanese built and imported. Build quality outstanding.
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your comment on the reliability of Suzuki in your experience. Though the manufacturer withdrew from selling cars in the US back in 2012, it appears that they still have parts facilities in the country. It appears that they felt as though they were unable to compete with Toyota.
I have 2010 grand Vitara V6. 3.2 with 140.000 km on it no problem, runs like a dream , I live in Canada, and this dealer discontinued these SUV I love this SUV, I will drive maybe a next 140.000 km with this SUV and it will still go
I found Suzuki had a rare or only automatic that was towable via 4 wheel drive transfer case in N. I’ve owned 4 all better than the last and still driving the 2012 & 2013 Grand Vatara. Keep them serviced & they’ll last forever. Where or when can I buy a new one in the USA.
Its 2021 , and i live in jakarta,Indonesia which is have a tropical climate.i have a Suzuki APV 2004 , with more than 300.000 km running. And the car have no problem until now. Still good as it should be , this car have a Rock solid build quality. Amazing.
Thanks for sharing your experience Ilham. Great to hear!
I have a 2006 Suzuki grand vitaRa petrol, with 92,000 on clock, iv ehad it 7 years I love it and want to keep it forever.
It’s serviced anually and only does 2/3000 miles each year But:
I’m having issues that my ace mechanic cant solve despite attempts with different resolutions and diagnostics. She starts well drives beautifully for miles then suddenly starts. Missing, fading out, loses power, engine keeps running but can’t reach hi revs or enough power to drive. After switch off and a rest, she starts up and the whole process repeats. Has anyone had this experience?
When she’s running she drives beautifully. I can’t let her go she’s in amazing condition. I’m just desperately hoping someone knows what it is, nothing shows on engine management, no visible problems that my mechanic can find. Hope someone can help xx
Hi Annie, I’m really sorry to hear about the issues you are having. Whilst we don’t have any specific advice on what might be the cause, I do hope someone on here is able to share further insight into what could be the issue.
If you do come to the decision to part with your Suzuki, please do give us a call as we would be more than happy to help source you a replacement vehicle that meets all of your requirements. Our team of vehicle specialists are on hand to understand exactly what is important to you in your next vehicle. Should that be something you would like to chat about, please call us on 01903 538835.
Only one problem has affected my 1991 Swift GT. Sometimes it would not turn over so I installed a relay to activate the starter which took a load off the ignition switch. It has not had that problem for 19 years now and still runs like new.
I HAVE BEEN A SUZUKI OWNER SINCE 1986. I HAVE HAD MY SAMURIA (1986) MY VITARA (2001) AND MY CHEVY TRACKER (1999) AND MY GRAND VITARA 2006 . I STILL HAVE THE GVITARA , SAMURAI AND TRACKER UNDER MY OWNERSHIP
THE VITARA IS AWESOME AND SUPER RELIABLE PROVIDED YOU DO FREQUENT OIL CHANGES AND RUN V POWER SHELL. NO ISSUES HERE.
CHEVY TRACKER IS ALSO AWESOME AT 150,000 ONLY THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SMOG HAS BEEN A CHORE.
OVERALL SUZUKI CARS HAS BEEN GREAT. WISH THEY STILL SELLED THEM HERE IN THE USA!
Hello Manuel, thank you for sharing your exciting experience with Suzuki. This will be very helpful for our reader’s vehicle buying decision!
Have just retired my old 87 413 samurai with 400,000 km on it, still going strong, and have replaced her with a 2021 Jimny. The new K15b motor is a stunner heaps of torque. This one will see me out, what a vehicle, Greg NZ.
Hi there Greg, thank you for sharing your experience with your Suzuki vehicles. We hope you enjoy your new Jimny!
I have just purchased the 2023 Celerio Suzuki after checking the features. I pray that this model will last long. I have been using FORD and TOYOTA cars and SUVs and this is the first time that I shifted to Suzuki.
I hope you could provide me advice if my choice is right.
By the way, the front face looks like – cooper
Hi there, the Suzuki Celerio was discontinued in the UK, so unfortunately I cannot provide advice about the new 2023 model. Suzuki is known for producing reliable vehicles, and I hope your Celerio brings you many miles of enjoyable driving.
I’m contemplating to have SUZUKI S-Presso 2024.
Someone enlighten me if it will be a good choice when it comes to longebility, reliability, fuel consumptions and safety.
Your prompt and truthful response will be greatly valued and helpful. Thank you.
Hi there Risa, thank you for your query. As the Suzuki S-Presso 2024 has not yet been released I’m unable to advise on the reliability, fuel consumption and safety of the vehicle. While exact longevity can’t be predicted, regular maintenance will help ensure a long lifespan.
Hi there,
I came across your article looking for affirmation to buy a Susuki, in particular a Baleno. But then I read it’s the least reliable. Can you tell me why? I tested it and found it comfortable and with a smother suspension than the Swift, which I definitely appreciate.
Thanks and kind regards,
Lou
Hi Lou, thank you for your query. This car isn’t unreliable, it should be noted. It has just been simply ranked lower by various outlets and is probably more reliable than many other models out there. However, when you have a brand as dependable as Suzuki, your least reliable car is still going to be pretty reliable.
Bought my 2003 used with 100,000+ km, 10 years ago, just posted at 232323 km !!, Still Going Great, regular oil change keeps her going, Wish Suzuki will make a return to Canada & USA,