The SX4 is one of Suzuki’s versatile and affordable cars suitable for city driving and light off-road use. It’s a subcompact car available in hatchback and sedan versions. The vehicle comes in Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) configurations to suit all consumers.
Budget-conscious Suzuki enthusiasts will love this car due to its affordable price and fuel efficiency. Despite being a reliable car, the Suzuki SX4 has several drawbacks.
If you’re an SX4 owner, your car might have issues such as failed heating system, malfunctioning 5th gear, premature brake wear, and sticking accelerator pedal.
Knowing how to address these issues can save you a lot of trouble. Below we discuss the seven most common Suzuki SX4 problems, possible causes, and effective fixes.
Problematic Heating System
The SX4’s heating system blows hot air into the cabin to keep you comfortable while driving. Unfortunately, the heater core can run into problems and cause the heating system to malfunction.
The heater core collects the hot coolant from the engine to heat cold air from the blower motor. Once the cold air gets heated, it ends up in your car’s cabin to keep you and your passengers warm. If the heating system doesn’t work, the culprit could be a leaking or faulty heater core.
Other issues that might cause the heating system to fail are:
- No coolant in the overflow
- Bad thermostat
- Leaking heater core hose
Fixes:
If the heating system only blows chilly air, inspect the heater core to see if it leaks coolant. A leaking heater core won’t hold coolant to heat up cold air from the blower. In this case, you’ll need to replace the heater core.
The heater core might be okay, but the hose could be the culprit. So, check for signs of wear on the heater core hose, causing the coolant to leak. Replace the hose if necessary.
Next, check for a low coolant level and fill the reservoir if necessary. If the heating problem persists, check for a bad thermostat that might prevent the heater core from getting sufficient coolant. Replace the defective thermostat.
Premature Brake Wear
Premature brake wear is a common issue that Suzuki SX4 owners report. It’s worth noting that the brake wear problem is typical to all cars, but if they wear out quickly, this can be a major concern.
Brakes that wear out quickly can cause safety issues to drivers, passengers, and other cars. One of the reasons for premature brake wear in this car is inferior disks and pads. Moreover, the 2nd and 3rd generation SX4 cars have a heavy build, causing brakes to wear quickly.
Worn-out brakes in your SX4 can cause a screeching or squealing noise, especially when driving below 30 mph. Failure to address this issue might result in damage to the disks.
Fixes:
Regular inspection of the brake pads can help you know if they need replacing. If you hear squealing, screeching, or grinding noise while using the brakes, replace the brake pads. Generally, SX4 brake pads will wear out in under 20,000 miles.
Next, examine the discs as they might have succumbed to wear or damage. If they appear damaged, replace them.
Malfunctioning 5th Gear
A malfunctioning 5th gear is one of the most reported Suzuki SX4 problems. The 5th gear will stop working after driving the car for over 78,000 miles.
Most users claim that the transmission stops working after popping out of the 5th gear. This issue occurs despite sticking to regular maintenance of the manual transmission.
A faulty 5th gear synchronizer is usually the cause of this problem. Trying to shift a bad 5th gear might make a grinding noise, and the gear might fail to shift or shift slowly. When this happens, the synchronizer might be broken or cracked.
Fixes:
If your car’s 5th gear won’t work as it should or if it pops out, inspect the 5th gear synchronizer. A faulty synchronizer will appear worn, cracked, or broken. This problem occurs due to excessive use. To address this issue, remove the defective synchronizer and install a new one.
After installing a new 5th gear synchronizer, check the lubricant level to ensure the gear is well lubricated. Keeping the gears lubricated improves the lifespan of various parts.
Faulty Airbag Sensor
Most early Suzuki SX4 models, particularly the first-gen SX4 hatchbacks and sedans, experience issues with the airbag sensor. An airbag sensor failure will cause a constant beeping in the driver’s and passenger’s seats.
The beeping sound is annoying, especially from an unoccupied passenger’s seat. If the sound comes from the occupied driver’s seat, it can be dangerous since the airbags won’t deploy in an emergency.
Moreover, if your car’s airbag sensor is faulty, its light stays on until you’ve addressed the problem.
Suzuki issued a recall for the SX4 cars with a malfunctioning airbag sensor. However, this recall didn’t apply to all SX4 models and SX4 cars in foreign countries. So, users are more likely to buy SX4 cars with faulty airbag sensors.
Fixes:
If the airbag light stays on, examine the sensor with your multimeter. In most cases, replacing the defective airbag sensor solves the issue. If the beeping sound persists, you’ll need to replace the seats.
Sticking Accelerator Pedal
A sticking accelerator pedal is another common issue with the Suzuki SX4. This pedal is crucial as it allows drivers to increase or maintain a car’s speed.
Over time, the accelerator pedal may succumb to damage and become sticky.
A sticking pedal can cause unintended acceleration and risk the driver’s and passengers’ safety. Like many other Suzuki SX4 problems, the gas pedal might get stuck due to poor maintenance. The following issues will cause the accelerator pedal to become sticky over time:
- Accumulation of carbon on the throttle shaft
- Faulty throttle body
Fixes:
Inspect the throttle shaft for carbon buildup if your SX4 has a sticking accelerator pedal. Sometimes, carbon buildup occurs if you use harsh cleaning fluids to clean the throttle body. Replace the throttle body and always use high-quality cleaning fluid.
Note: If the accelerator pedal sticks while driving, try to pull it up with your foot. Then, slow down the car and stop it. Avoid driving it until you get the accelerator pedal fixed.
Electrical Problems
Electrical issues are common among family cars used for light off-roading. Wires can become loose, frayed, or broken and cause failure to various electrical components.
Electrical problems with the Suzuki SX4 stem from a cable located under the bonnet. This cable usually gets loose and rubs against the strut tower or inner wing. Due to friction, the cable wears down over time and might start to short out.
When this cable shorts out, it causes the mirrors, interior lights, and infotainment system malfunctions.
Fixes:
The poor insulation technique is the primary cause of this cable becoming loose and wearing out. So, when the wire becomes loose, fix it to its original position. Then, use insulating tape to provide reliable insulation.
If the cable appears damaged beyond repair, take the car to a specialist to install a new, high-quality cable.
Detached Rear-view Mirror
The rearview mirror of your Suzuki SX4 might get detached after driving several miles. The problem may occur earlier if you drive your car on rugged terrain.
This rearview mirror problem is the manufacturer’s fault. It occurs due to a poorly designed connection.
Inspect the rearview mirror after every drive to see if it’s loose. Doing so will help you know if the mirror needs replacing or not.
Final Thoughts
Despite having some issues, the SX4 is a reliable family and city car. It’s a user-friendly car, thanks to good gas mileage and a comfortable interior.
Like other cars, the Suzuki SX4 will experience issues after covering several miles. Luckily, we’ve detailed how to address the most common Suzuki SX4 problems. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you can’t resolve issues with your car.