2009 Suzuki EQUATOR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
49,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: . 5 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
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns
2
40.0%
Braking behavior
1
20.0%
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.
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 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.
2010
1
2011
1
2012
1
2016
2
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2010
1
2011
1
2012
1
2016
2
2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI EQUATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO NOTIFIED AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND STATED THE FLOOR MATS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE 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
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.
UPDATED VIN FOR COMPLAINT OF 6/21/16 ID NUMBER: 10875514 I NEED TO BE ON RECORD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ONGOING(CURRENT MILES 52639). I BELIEVE MY PROBLEM CAN BE TRACED TO THE RIGHT CRASH ZONE SENSOR. THERE WAS A SIMILAR SAFETY RECALL FOR NISSAN FRONTIER ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2008. NISSAN BUILT THE EQUATOR TRUCK FOR SUZUKI. AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTORS IS OUT OF BUSINESS AND DECLARED BANKRUPTCY. I EXPECT PROPER HANDLING OF THIS REPAIR BY SUZUKI. THERE WERE A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE UNITS SOLD AND I AM CONCERNED NHTSA IS NOT RESPONDING.
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.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
100.0%Usable mileage5 / 5 records
100.0%Valid incident date5 / 5 records
100.0%Valid filing date5 / 5 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates5 / 5 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
Component
2009
2010
2011
2012
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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 …
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.
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
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
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.
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
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Air Bags
Too few reports for a range
49,000 mi
2 (sparse)
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.
UPDATED VIN FOR COMPLAINT OF 6/21/16 ID NUMBER: 10875514 I NEED TO BE ON RECORD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ONGOING(CURRENT MILES 52639). I BELIEVE MY PROBLEM CAN BE TRACED TO THE RIGHT CRASH ZONE SENSOR. THERE WAS A SIMILAR SAFETY RECALL FOR NISSAN FRONTIER ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2008. NISSAN BUILT THE EQUATOR TRUCK FOR SUZUKI. AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTORS IS OUT OF BUSINESS AND DECLARED BANKRUPTCY. I EXPECT PROPER HANDLING OF THIS REPAIR BY SUZUKI. THERE WERE A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE UNITS SOLD AND I AM CONCERNED NHTSA IS NOT RESPONDING.
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI EQUATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO NOTIFIED AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND STATED THE FLOOR MATS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MI…
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
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.
2011: 1 complaints · 2012: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2011
0
1
1
2012
0
0
0
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2011
2
0
0
2012
1
0
0
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
Component
Air Bags
Fuel System, Other
Fuel/Propulsion System
Vehicle Speed Control
Air Bags
—
0
0
0
Fuel System, Other
0
—
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
0
0
—
0
Vehicle Speed Control
0
0
0
—
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.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Brake response concerns
1 mentions · 20.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 22,666 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10419497 · 22,666 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUZUKI EQUATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO NOTIFIED AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND STATED THE FLOOR MATS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE 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.