2010 Suzuki Equator problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (2) · Seats (2) · Air Bags (2)
Safety recalls (3)
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2010-09-01 · campaign 10V392000 · 20,692 vehicles
Defect: SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 SX4, 2010 GRAND VITARA, AND 2009 THROUGH 2010 EQUATOR VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750, 760, AND 765 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985. OWNERS MAY ALSO VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Suspension:front:control Arm 2010-05-19 · campaign 10V213000 · 582 vehicles
Defect: SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 EQUATOR PICKUP TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 20, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK BUSHING COLLARS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS. IF A COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, IT MAY CHANGE THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE VEHICLE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS TO DETERIORATE.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE, ONE OR BOTH LOWER CONTROL LINKS ON THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2010-03-25 · campaign 10V118000 · 15 vehicles
Defect: SUZUKI HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 EQUATOR TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. ALL THE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REMEDIED THERE FORE AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS NOT ISSUED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Service bulletins (6)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension 2022-07-08 · SUZ_016008 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor 2020-06-03 · DOR-M9J4S-07 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
these skus are exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of carb certification. these skus can no longer be sold as they do not meet carb standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor 2020-06-03 · DOR-M3J3F-07 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
these skus are exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of carb certification. these skus can no longer be sold as they do not meet carb standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
Suspension 2018-11-20 · N-Q-G-045 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin was sent by suzuki motor corporation to its authorized suzuki automobile distributors in the u.s., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.
Air Bags 2018-03-22 · SC-75R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a revised version of a previously-issued bulletin providing suzuki service providers with details of a customer satisfaction service campaign to reprogram the airbag control unit on affected vehicles. the revised bulletin contains programming error code diagnostics to assist the technician
Air Bags 2018-02-05 · SC-75 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service campaign bulletin explains to dealers the details of a customer satisfaction service campaign to reprogram the airbag control unit (acu) on affected vehicles. the acu software could allow an unintended deployment of the side curtain airbags under certain driving conditions. these dri
What owners report
2017-07-24 · Suspension · 79,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2010 suzuki equator. while driving 5 mph, a clunking noise was heard while the vehicle was approaching a stop. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. the contact stated that the outer tie rod was replaced and a front end …”
2016-03-07 · Suspension · 116,000 mi“i took my vehicle in for a front end alignment on 03/03/16. mechanic stated that the camber link on lower driver's side control arm was worn out and the passenger side was getting close to the same condition. an alignment could not be completed. the mechanic stated that nissan/suzuki made the part the be permanent by welding it in place. the on…”
2015-12-31 · Air Bags · 72,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2010 suzuki equator. the contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 72,000. …”
2015-12-22 · Power Train · 83,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2010 suzuki equator. while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the coolant mixed in with the transmission fluid. as a result, the transmission needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repa…”
2014-08-05 · Seats · 39,284 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2010 suzuki equator. the contact stated that the air bag indicator remained illuminated. the dealer stated that the front internal passenger seat cushion assembly needed to be replaced. the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 10v118000 (air bags). the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. the a…”
2014-06-26 · Air Bags · 39,284 mi“airbag warning light came on went to dealer were truck was purchased they told me seat cushion assembly failed charged me 1835.00 dollars to fix it. its been three weeks , truck is not fixed and no one can tell me if and when it will be fixed. i feel i shouldn't pay for a safety part that failed. dealer name [xxx] indoor auto outlet 241 boston po…”
2010-04-30 · Seats · 20 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2010 suzuki equator. the contact stated that the drivers seat did not have enough clearance between the drivers knees and the instrument panel. the contact called the manufacturer and was informed that there was no remedy for the concern. she was also unable to trade the vehicle for another. the failure mileage was approximate…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.