2012 Suzuki Equator
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Suzuki Equator is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
2012 Suzuki Equator at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2012 Suzuki Equator recalls 2
Suzuki is recalling certain model year 2012 Equator two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and eventually crack.
Fix: All of the affected vehicles have been quarantined at Suzuki dealers prior to being sold. As such, a recall notification letter will not be issued. Suzuki dealers will replace the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. Customers may contact Suzuki at 1-877-697-8985.
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 EQUATOR PICKUP TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 16, 2011, THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2011. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.
Fix: SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-714-996-7040.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2012 Suzuki Equator common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2012 Suzuki Equator safety ratings
Rollover risk: 19.8% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Suzuki Equator Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2012 Suzuki Equator MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2012 Suzuki Equator costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 6
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
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.
Bulletin SUZ_016008 · Suspension, Structure · Jul 2022These 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…
Bulletin DOR-M9J4S-07 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2020These 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…
Bulletin DOR-M3J3F-07 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2020This 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 s…
Bulletin N-Q-G-045 · Suspension, Equipment · Nov 2018This 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 cod…
Bulletin SC-75R · Air Bags · Mar 2018This 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…
Bulletin SC-75 · Air Bags · Feb 2018Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the EQUATOR RWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Suzuki Equator
The Suzuki Equator is a mid-size pickup truck based on the Nissan Frontier, assembled by Nissan and sold under the Suzuki brand. It was released in the 2009 model year in the United States, it made its debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.