Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Suzuki EQUATOR problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

86,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1100.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Exterior Lighting
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Exterior Lighting1

Exterior Lighting: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2016
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20161

2016: 1

Pattern summary

Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10899577 · 2016-08-30 (August 30, 2016)

THE REAR CARGO/TAILLIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY LOCATED ON THE REAR OF THE CAB OVERHEATS AND HAS MELTED THE LENS COVER. THIS WAS NOTICED RECENTLY AND THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN EITHER FAULTY LIGHT APPLICATION/LENGTH OF LIGHT TIME OR FAULTY LENS MATERIALS. THIS COULD CAUSE FIRES IF NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED SUZUKI.

Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10899577 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

100.0%Usable mileage1 / 1 records
100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records
100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component2009201020112012
Air Bags
240.0%
ODI 10875514 · 49,000 mi

NO ACCIDENT, SRS WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AT MILEAGE 49,000 APPROXIMATE. NO RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED ABOUT POSSIBLE CORROSION ON FRONT SENSOR DUE TO ROAD SALT. ORIGINAL OWNER LIVES IN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT BY NISSAN FOR SUZUKI (NOW OUT OF BUSINESS IN UNITED STATES) AND DESIGN IS SIMILAR TO FRONTIER PICKUP.

Look up ODI 10875514 at NHTSA ↗

342.9%
ODI 10606160 · 39,284 mi

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WENT TO DEALER WERE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED THEY TOLD ME SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY FAILED CHARGED ME 1835.00 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. ITS BEEN THREE WEEKS , TRUCK IS NOT FIXED AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME IF AND WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. I FEEL I SHOULDN'T PAY FOR A SAFETY PART THAT FAILED. DEALER NAME [XXX] INDOOR AUTO OUTLET 241 BOSTON POST RD MILFORD CT 06460. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Look up ODI 10606160 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10956068 · 76,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUZUKI EQUATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. *CN

Look up ODI 10956068 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 10811679 · 83,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUZUKI EQUATOR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT MIXED IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Look up ODI 10811679 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10478981

2011 SUZUKI EQUATOR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10478981 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seats
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

228.6%
ODI 10328211 · 20 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUZUKI EQUATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE DRIVERS KNEES AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE CONCERN. SHE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO TRADE THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 900.

Look up ODI 10328211 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

228.6%
ODI 10840252 · 116,000 mi

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT ON 03/03/16. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAMBER LINK ON LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS WORN OUT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS GETTING CLOSE TO THE SAME CONDITION. AN ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE COMPLETED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NISSAN/SUZUKI MADE THE PART THE BE PERMANENT BY WELDING IT IN PLACE. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT IT WAS TO CUT OUT THE PART AND REPLACE IT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PART/DEFECT ON MY MAKE AND MODEL TRUCK MANUFACTURED FROM NOV 9, 2009 TO MARCH 3, 2010. I CONTACTED SUZUKI AND …

Look up ODI 10840252 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Exterior Lighting
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10899577 · 86,000 mi

THE REAR CARGO/TAILLIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY LOCATED ON THE REAR OF THE CAB OVERHEATS AND HAS MELTED THE LENS COVER. THIS WAS NOTICED RECENTLY AND THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN EITHER FAULTY LIGHT APPLICATION/LENGTH OF LIGHT TIME OR FAULTY LENS MATERIALS. THIS COULD CAUSE FIRES IF NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED SUZUKI.

Look up ODI 10899577 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Other
120.0%
ODI 10316661 · 350 mi

THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE GAS TANK GETS TO 3/4 FULL. FILL IT UP AND IT GOES OFF. BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE (WITH SERVICE LIGHT ON), WAS TOLD IT WAS GAS CAP NOT SEALING RIGHT (THEY HAD THIS PROBLEM ALOT - SERVICE MANAGER SAID). INSTRUCTED TO FILL UP WITH GAS, DON'T OVER FILL, TIGHTEN CAP TILL IT CLICKS SEVERAL TIMES. DID WHAT WAS INSTRUCTED, BUT STILL PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR

Look up ODI 10316661 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel/Propulsion System
120.0%
ODI 10477139 · 59,000 mi

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI EQUATOR. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THERE WERE NO BOLTS OR SCREWS OR ANCHORS TO HOLD THE RUBBER INLET IN PLACE IN THE NECK OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED HE EMAILED THE DEALER BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,000. DT

Look up ODI 10477139 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 10811679 · 83,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUZUKI EQUATOR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT MIXED IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Look up ODI 10811679 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Exterior LightingToo few reports for a range86,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10899577 · 86,000 mi

THE REAR CARGO/TAILLIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY LOCATED ON THE REAR OF THE CAB OVERHEATS AND HAS MELTED THE LENS COVER. THIS WAS NOTICED RECENTLY AND THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN EITHER FAULTY LIGHT APPLICATION/LENGTH OF LIGHT TIME OR FAULTY LENS MATERIALS. THIS COULD CAUSE FIRES IF NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED SUZUKI.

Look up ODI 10899577 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2011: 1 complaints · 2012: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2011011
2012000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2011200
2012100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentExterior Lighting
Exterior Lighting—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.