Recall Alert: Suzuki Grand Vitara, SX4

Suzuki is recalling 32,291 Grand Vitara SUVs and SX4 vehicles over an improperly manufactured drive belt component that can break and cause the drive belt to slip or come off, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects all 2009-10 four-cylinder Vitaras, 2011 Vitaras built before Oct. 17, 2010, all 2010 SX4s and 2011 SX4s built before Oct. 14, 2010.

In these vehicles, an internal spring in the tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt — which operates the alternator, water pump, air-conditioner compressor and power steering pump — can break from repeated stress. If the spring breaks, the drive belt could slip or come off, causing the engine to stall or causing the driver to use more steering effort. Affected drivers may also notice a squeaking noise, a rise in coolant temperature or the charging light may turn on.

The recall is expected to begin Feb. 16. Dealers will replace the tension adjuster pulley with an improved part for free. Owners can call Suzuki at 877-697-8985 or call NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

40 mpg Ford Fiesta, Other Small Cars Flounder

Automakers quickly turned to small cars when gas hit $4 a gallon in 2008. Folks everywhere downsized, trading in giant SUVs for traditional compacts and the latest subcompacts, like the Toyota Yaris. The trend prompted Ford to bring its best global small car to the U.S., the Ford Fiesta, while it looked to beef up its compact, the Focus, to be a more premium offering. This trend of subcompact and larger compact is being seen across the industry.

The Fiesta has been on sale for a few months with a full inventory on most lots. (There are more than 9,000 in Cars.com’s national inventory.) However, the Fiesta isn’t setting the sales world on fire, and the rest of the segment isn’t, either.

Recall Alert: 2007-2010 Suzuki SX4

Suzuki is recalling 69,587 SX4 hatchbacks and sedans for defective side mirrors, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The three screws that hold each mirror in place can loosen over time due to vibration, leading to the mirrors falling off completely.
 
The recall includes the following model years:

• 2007-2010 Suzuki SX4 Hatchbacks
• 2008-2010 Suzuki SX4 Sedans

Suzuki hasn’t announced when recall notifications will be sent to owners, but the company will replace the screws of both mirrors for free. Owners can call Suzuki at 887-697-8985 or the NHTSA’s hot line 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.

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.

2009 Cash-Back Deals You Can Still Find

As the 2010 models push out nearly all of the old 2009s on dealer lots, a lot of buyers become annoyed by valid, advertised cash-back offers on 2009 cars that basically aren’t available anymore.

We tracked down some interesting offers on 2009s that are:
a.)    Cars we wouldn’t mind buying
b.)    Have a significant cash-back offer
c.)    Readily available, according to Cars.com’s new-car inventory

Check out our list below. And if you want to search our inventory scroll to the end of the post for handy links for each model.

2010 Suzuki SX4 Video

If you’re in the market for a low-price urban driver, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays thinks it’s worth your time to look beyond the typical Corolla or Civic. Suzuki offers the SX4. While there are certain elements of the 2010 SX4 that Mays doesn’t like, the vehicle is a good value. Check out his full video review to see if he thinks the SX4 can overcome its deficiencies.

Cars.com Podcast: 2010 Subaru Outback, Suzuki SX4

Subaru and Suzuki, not exactly the biggest automakers out there, but when it comes to the new Outback there is a huge buzz (it’s been the most popular new-car review on Cars.com for the past week) and sales are brisk. Editors Kelsey Mays, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder discuss the wagon/crossover at length, and then they touch on the quirky Suzuki SX4 and where it stands in a sea of tough competition.

You can listen to the podcast via iTunes, or for the first time, you can listen to it here in this post by clicking the play button below.

Cars.com Podcast #26

2010|Subaru|Outback

2009|Suzuki|SX4