Suzuki Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know

Suzuki filed for bankruptcy Monday, officially eliminating its automotive arm in the U.S.

That leaves current and potential owners with a lot of questions. We answer the most significant ones below, but if you have a question, please ask it in the comments below or email us at editor@cars.com.

Will my warranty still be honored?
Yes, Suzuki says all currently valid warranties will be honored. If you buy a new Suzuki today going forward, the existing new-car warranty will be included.

Many may remember that when Saab was finally liquidated, it stopped honoring warranties for cars bought during the period after its GM ownership when a Swedish firm was operating it. Suzuki’s bankruptcy will allow for continued warranty service in line with how GM still services the Saabs sold under its ownership.

Should You Buy a New Suzuki?

If you've checked out our story on What You Need to Know about the Suzuki bankruptcy, you might consider buying a new Suzuki if the deal is right.

Below, we break down what we like and what we don't about each of the four Suzuki models still on sale in the U.S., as well as links to recent coverage about each one. No Suzuki models are rated as Best Bets by Cars.com.

We also list how many are in our national inventory as of this writing. Here's a tip: There aren't many, so depending on where you live, a new Suzuki might not be an option for you.

Suzuki Files Bankruptcy, Stops Selling Cars in U.S.

Suzuki filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in California today for its U.S. automobile operations. American Suzuki Motor Corporation will stop marketing and selling cars in the U.S. while focusing on its motorcycle, ATV and marine portfolios.

Suzuki Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know

Suzuki will continue to honor its warranties and its current dealer network will largely be transitioned to parts and service only.

This news is not a great surprise to those following the industry. The company sold just 2,023 cars in October. Mitsubishi — another struggling Japanese automaker — sold 3,981 units in October. Mazda — the next closest Japanese automaker — sold a more robust 18,622 cars in October.

We'll have more information for owners and perspective buyers of the remaining new Suzuki models on dealer lots tomorrow.

Recall Alert: 2012 Suzuki Equator

Suzuki is recalling 25 Equator pickup trucks from the 2012 model year because the front wheel hubs may wear prematurely and eventually crack, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects two-wheel-drive Equators built from June 19 through July 12. (You can check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb.) A broken wheel hub could reduce the driver’s ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Since all the affected Equators have been quarantined at Suzuki dealers prior to being sold, a notification letter will not be issued, NHTSA says. Dealers will replace front-wheel-hub assemblies; call Suzuki at 877-697-8985 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

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Recall Alert: 2011-12 Suzuki Equator

Suzuki is recalling 73 2011 and 2012 Equator pickups due to faulty engine bolts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Only one 2012 model is affected; the rest are 2011 models, Suzuki says.

In the affected vehicles, the bolts connecting the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine may have been manufactured below specification. As a result, the bolt could break and cause an engine oil leak. If there is a leak, the engine oil warning lamp will illuminate, and the engine may become noisy. If the driver ignores the condition, the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.

The safety concern was investigated by Nissan, which builds the Equator for the Japanese carmaker. The Nissan Frontier, which is a near clone of the Equator, is currently undergoing the same recall, as well as other SUVs and cargo vans.

Suzuki will notify owners Jan 19. The repair to the engine connector bolts will be covered by each owner's vehicle warranty, Suzuki says. For more info, owners can call Suzuki at 714-996-7040 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2011 Suzuki Lineup

For the 2011 model year, Suzuki adds a few trims and safety features to the lineup, particularly with its important Kizashi and SX4 models. We break down the changes below.

Recall Alert: 20,692 Suzuki Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers

Suzuki Motor Co. is recalling certain models of the 2008-2010 Suzuki SX4, 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2009-2010 Suzuki Equator, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected models are equipped with a factory-installed Garmin navigation system that can overheat and cause a fire.

This recall is related to Garmin’s recall of 796,000 navigation systems that could overheat and cause a fire. Suzuki is the only automaker to factory-install the Garmin system, like the unit found in the SX4 pictured above.

Suzuki will notify affected owners on Sept. 13. Garmin will repair the GPS units for free by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery. Owners can contact Garmin directly at 913-397-8200 or Suzuki at 800-934-0934 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hot line at 888-327-4236.

2010|Suzuki|Equator

2010|Suzuki|Grand Vitara

2010|Suzuki|SX4

Suzuki Offers Summer Financing Deals

Suzuki is offering zero-percent financing for many of its vehicles and up to $500 in Owner Loyalty cash, though a car company looking to gain market share might want to look into offering cash back for owners of competitors’ vehicles.

The Kizashi and all variants of the SX4 get zero-percent financing for 48 months, while the Grand Vitara and the Equator have zero percent for up to 60 months. The offers are in lieu of any cash incentives, which include $1,500 for the Kizashi, between $1,000 and $1,500 for SX4 models, $1,500 for the Grand Vitara and $2,000 for the Equator.

The offers expire June 30, but remember that Suzuki is still doing its Free Gas for Summer promotion through Aug. 31. Be sure to check out Cars.com’s incentives page for more info.

Recall Alert: 2010 Suzuki Equator

Suzuki has issued a recall for 582 Equator pickup trucks from the 2010 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects vehicles manufactured between Nov. 20, 2009 and March 3, 2010 and is due to a problem with the suspension. The lower control link bushing collars in the front suspension may contain weak welds. This could change the wheel alignment and the vehicle handling may suffer.

This could the driver to have trouble controlling the vehicle, possibly leading to an accident.

Dealers will inspect the lower control links and replace them if necessary. Both the inspection and service will be free. Owners may contact Suzuki at 800-934-0934 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

Suzuki Offers Free Gas to Lure Buyers

Customers who buy a select Suzuki model between May 1 and Aug. 31 will be eligible for the automaker’s “Free Gas for Summer” promotion. Buyers will get a stored-value debit card with which to buy gas.

Eligible vehicles include the new Kizashi sedan, SX4 SportBack, SX4 Sport sedan, SX4 crossover, Grand Vitara and Equator.

The cards will range in value between $280 and $442, depending on a number of factors. Apparently, Suzuki will take into account an assumed three-month time frame, the car’s EPA highway mileage, the national average price for a gallon of gas and the Federal Highway Administration’s estimate of 1,000 miles driven per month.

The promotion is especially tempting for buyers looking at the Kizashi because it’s a new vehicle without a lot of cash incentives attached.

If we have Suzuki’s reasoning right, you might want to wait until around July, when gas prices tend to peak. The higher the national average for a gallon of gas, the more money Suzuki will have to put on the debit card.