Suzuki Kizashi: common faults & what to check

Which Suzuki Kizashi are you looking at?

1 generation variant documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

1 variant documented

2010–2016RE912010–2016RE912.4 petrolPetrolDocumented issues5 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Mr.choppers via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Suzuki Kizashi

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Suzuki Kizashi before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Costly issue

  Drive under gentle acceleration from a stop feeling for judder and shudder, and ask when the CVT fluid was last serviced.

  See why

  CVT low-speed judder and shudder (well-known)

  The Kizashi's CVT is well known for low-speed judder and shudder on take-off and gentle acceleration, worsening if the fluid was never changed, and can progress to slipping and whine. Many NZ imports have no CVT service history. Fluid service helps early cases but worn units are expensive to replace.

  What you would notice

  • Judder pulling away
  • Shudder on gentle acceleration
  • Whine from transmission
  • Slipping under load

  Typically $400–$4,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Test drive at low speed from a standstill — acceleration should be completely smooth.

  See why

  CVT Shudder and Judder Under Light Acceleration

  The Jatco-sourced CVT fitted to Kizashi CVT variants is subject to torque converter lock-up clutch shudder during light acceleration from rest, particularly when CVT fluid is degraded or when the transmission is cold. Fresh CVT fluid resolves early cases; transmissions with high mileage or towing history may have worn belt and pulley sets requiring full replacement. The fault is well-documented across Kizashi owner communities and is a primary used-car risk on this model.

  What you would notice

  • Shudder or vibration through the car during gentle acceleration from a standstill
  • Judder felt through the floor or seat when the CVT engages
  • Hesitation or jerking at low speed in stop-start traffic
  • Transmission warning light in advanced failure stages

  Typically $300–$5,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold-start the engine and listen for chain rattle from the top of the engine in the first 30 seconds.

  See why

  J24B Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner Wear

  The J24B 2.4-litre engine uses a timing chain rather than a belt, but relies on a hydraulic chain tensioner that is entirely dependent on oil pressure and oil cleanliness. Infrequent oil changes allow sludge build-up that starves the tensioner, causing chain slack. A stretched chain rattles on cold start, can jump teeth on the camshaft sprockets, and triggers VVT camshaft timing fault codes. Chain replacement is a significant engine-down job. This fault is documented on Kizashi owner forums and confirmed by independent workshops in Australia.

  What you would notice

  • Rattling noise from top of engine on cold start, settles after 20–30 seconds warm-up
  • Check engine light with VVT or camshaft correlation fault codes (P0010–P0015 range)
  • Rough idle that improves as engine temperature rises
  • Oil consumption above normal for a petrol engine of this size

  Typically $1,200–$2,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Inspect the joint boot condition — perished or split boots indicate the joint is contaminated.

  See why

  Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Wear

  The Kizashi front lower control arm ball joints wear prematurely, a fault pattern noted on Kizashi owner forums. The ball joint boot perishes with age, allowing grit and moisture contamination that accelerates joint wear. The joint is not separately serviceable on most aftermarket suppliers and full lower arm replacement is required. Worn joints cause clunking over rough roads, vague steering response, and if severely degraded, present a safety risk under braking loads.

  What you would notice

  • Clunking from front suspension over bumps or rough roads
  • Vague steering or the vehicle tracking off-centre
  • Visible split or torn boot on the lower ball joint
  • Rapid or uneven front tyre wear

  Typically $400–$850 to put right.

• Common issue

  Turn the steering lock to lock at low speed listening for creaks and clunks, and check the strut top mounts for wear.

  See why

  Front strut top bearing noise

  The Kizashi's front strut top mounts and bearings wear, producing a creaking or clunking noise when turning at low speed and over bumps, and can affect steering smoothness. NZ road conditions accelerate wear. Replacement mounts and bearings resolve it.

  What you would notice

  • Creak or clunk when turning
  • Noise over bumps from front
  • Notchy steering feel
  • Knock at low-speed lock

  Typically $300–$800 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Suzuki Kizashi’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• CVT Gearbox Repair Cost

Other Suzuki models