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.

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2010|Suzuki|Grand Vitara

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Credit Threshold Eases for Car Lessees and Borrowers

Last month’s car sales were the second best of any month since September 2008, according to Autodata. That startling fact is partly due to the recovery of the automotive financing industry. 

Nearly 89% of car shoppers borrow money or lease their vehicles instead of paying with cash, according to CNW Marketing Research. When the money dried up during the recession, many people were left without a way to buy a car. During this time, big lenders started to restrict borrowing. GMAC limited its lending to consumers whose credit scores were higher than 700, which is considered a good score. But now, many lenders seem to be turning the corner, which is great if your credit is less than stellar. 

Ally Bank — the preferred lender for General Motors, Chrysler, Saab and Suzuki dealerships — has nearly doubled the amount of loans it has issued this year. The bank financed nearly 82% of all the vehicles sold at 5,000 GM and Chrysler dealerships in the U.S. this year, and Ally says it is ready to ease credit for leasing. 

Ally has lowered the FICO score requirement for Chrysler lessees from 660 to a 620, according to Automotive News. A score of 620 is considered the upper limit of the subprime market, which is another way of saying less than perfect credit. That’s a stark change from last year, when the Automotive Lease Guide reported that a fair to poor credit score meant it was probably “difficult if not impossible” to find a lease. 

GMAC to Become Ally by August

After 91 years, the GMAC brand will disappear completely from auto financing on Aug. 23. The former lending unit will be rebranded Ally Financial in the U.S. and North America.

GMAC/Ally is the preferred lender for General Motors, Chrysler, Saab and Suzuki dealerships. Despite the name change, there will be no changes to current customer accounts or to their billing cycles, the auto lender says. Ally said it plans to simplify its payment calculation process and enhance its customer service along with the rebranding. 

Ally is one of the largest automotive lending operations in the world, extending about $2 billion worth of credit each month to consumers in the U.S. GMAC’s name change in North America was precipitated by its separation from GM and subsequent government bailouts that tarnished the auto lender’s name. Operations outside North America will continue using the GMAC name.

Suzuki Gives You $250 If You Don't Buy a Kizashi

Incentives are an interesting game. Automakers use them to entice buyers into a showroom with the hope that a little extra money off the MSRP will get you to sign the paperwork and drive off the lot. They usually don’t pay you to buy another automaker’s car. But that’s what Suzuki is doing with a new offer on its Kizashi sedan.
 
Suzuki will give $250 to anyone who test-drives a Kizashi and then buys a competing sedan within three days. You have to show proof that you bought a 2010 Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Mazda6, Ford Fusion or Toyota Camry, all with four-cylinders.
 
These models were also competitors the Kizashi faced in the Cars.com/USA Today/ MotorWeek $25,000 Family Sedan Shootout earlier this year. However, the winner of the Shootout, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, is not included in the promotion. The Kizashi came in third and was widely praised by all of the editors on hand and the real-world family who participated.
 
Suzuki also offers $100 for shoppers who buy an Audi A4 or Acura TSX after test-driving the Kizashi. However, those entry-level luxury cars are nowhere near as popular as the sedans mentioned above, which include many of the best-selling cars in the country.
 
The $250 prepaid debit card offer runs through July 31. What happens if the Kizashi actually wins you over and you want to buy one? Suzuki is offering 0% financing for 48 months until Aug. 2. The company is also offering a free-gas promotion for all its models. Kizashi buyers will get a $290 prepaid gas card. That deal ends Aug. 31.

Editor's Note: Cars.com has no involvement with Suzuki’s Test Drive Challenge promotion. We learned of it via a news release sent by the company to all media outlets Tuesday.

2010|Suzuki|Kizashi

Recall Alert: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki has issued a recall for 5,107 Kizashi sedans from the 2010 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects models built between Oct. 13, 2009, and May 31, 2010, due to a problem with a door. The hinged door of the center lower box on the dashboard doesn’t meet federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, “Occupant Protection in Interior Impact.” In the event of an accident, the door may swing open, which could injure a vehicle occupant. You can find out when your car was manufactured by checking the label on the driver’s doorjamb.

Dealers will inspect and replace the instrument panel center lower box with a new part for free. Owners may contact Suzuki at 714-996-7040 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara

The 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara impresses Cars.com editor Mike Hanley with a combination of sophisticated off-road capability and solid on-road driving traits—a rarity for the crossover segment. Unfortunately, the Grand Vitara needs some work in a few other areas. Check out Hanley’s review for the full picture of Suzuki’s fickle crossover, as the Grand Vitara’s specific characteristics may attract some drivers.

2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review

Recall Alert: 46,549 Suzuki Grand Vitara, XL-7 SUVs

Suzuki has issued a recall for 46,549 Grand Vitara and XL-7 vehicles from the 2005-2006 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is due to a problem with the power pump. The tension adjuster pulley for the drive belt that operates the power-steering pump and air-conditioning compressor has a faulty outer portion. If the plastic material is subjected to too much heat stress, it can deteriorate and pieces of the pulley can break.

These pieces could get caught in the pulley or drive belt, breaking the belt and making steering more difficult. This could potentially lead to an accident.

Dealers will replace the power-steering pump drive belt tension adjuster for free. For more information, owners may call Suzuki at 800-934-0934 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

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 Kizashi Tops in Satisfaction Survey

Suzuki is celebrating the Kizashi’s first-place finish in AutoPacific’s 14th annual Vehicle Safety Awards for the midsize segment. Despite the name, the award isn't for safety but overall satisfaction for new vehicles.

Scoring 99 points above the industry average, the all-new sedan finished first among all 2010 model year vehicles in the survey. The poll asked 42,000 new vehicle owners how they felt about the car they just purchased or leased.

With competition like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, it’s impressive that the Suzuki newcomer managed to elbow its way so quickly into consumer’s hearts.

As far as brands go, though, GM was the big winner. Cadillac had the highest satisfaction for a premium brand, and Buick took the top slot for popular brands.

Check out the full list of winners in individual segments after the jump.