Remember Suzuki's all-wheel-drive midsize sedan? Looking at Kizashi's sales numbers, not too many people do. Though Suzuki's 2011 U.S. sales were up 11 percent, it sold only 6,942 Kizashi sedans last year. The automaker is spending big bucks on a Super Bowl ad to jog our memories. Kizashi is the star of its 2012 spot, the second consecutive year Suzuki has made a Super Bowl ad.
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.
As Japan begins to recover from the tragic earthquake and tsunami of last week, there are many questions for U.S. consumers when it comes to one of the country’s chief exports: cars.
All of Japan’s automakers are shutting down their assembly plants this week, with most plants closed through at least Wednesday. There are numerous logistical reasons for the shutdowns including power issues and transportation; let alone the need for employees to reconnect with family and friends in the affected areas of the country.
Few automakers had assembly plants in the area impacted by the tsunami, but many suppliers are based there and have not been heard from since the earthquake, according to reports.
If just one part from one supplier is unavailable a new vehicle cannot be built, leaving a manufacturer to extend the shutdown.
Are you still hungry for more info on the all-new Ford Explorer before you think about going to buy one? Then this is the podcast for you. Editors Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder discuss three recently reviewed vehicles on Cars.com, including the new Explorer.
Why did Dave think it wasn’t perfect for families? Why is it more SUV than crossover? Download the podcast to get your questions answered.
The Kizashi received rave reviews from Cars.com’s editors back in 2010, and the car placed third in our $25,000 Family Sedan Shootout. Its reader reviews are mostly good, too. After nearly a year out of our hands, we revisited the Kizashi SLS trim with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive. With a stick, there’s even more to like, according to Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder. Should you take the risk of purchasing a lesser-known nameplate such as this? Continue reading to find out:
Super Bowl XLV had more car commercials than recent Super Bowls. That’s partly due to GM getting back into the big game; the automaker hasn’t aired a Super Bowl ad since 2008.
With commercials highlighting the best that Chrysler, GM, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Suzuki have to offer, you may have seen cars and car names that are new to you, but they’re not to us. In fact, we’ve tested and reviewed many of the featured cars.
Below are links to our reviews of some of the cars that automakers thought were worth $100,000 per second of airtime.
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.
It’s that time of year again: The Super Bowl is almost here, along with Cars.com’s newest commercials that will air during the big game. In honor of this ad-tastic season, we thought we’d give our take on some of the best car commercials airing now, before the year’s most-watched television event creates a whole new bumper crop for us to critique.
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:
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.
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.
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