SuzukiGrand Vitara Premium2012Overview/suzuki/grand-vitara-premium/2012/base/

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Premium

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Grand Vitara Premium.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Premium is a compact SUV built on Suzuki’s proven platform, equipped with a 5‑quartile oil capacity that recommends 5W‑30 API oil, and a 4‑speed automatic transmission that balances efficiency and durability; its EPA‑rated fuel economy of 19/24/21 mpg reflects the vehicle’s modest powertrain. With a total of only 13 owner complaints, the Grand Vitara’s reliability record remains strong, though the most frequent issue cited involves airbags and two recalls were issued that year. This model year sits comfortably within the series’ overall dependable reputation, underscoring its status as a pragmatic choice for budget‑conscious consumers seeking a reliable, everyday crossover.

Model year20122006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque73 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 700 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length168.9 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3651 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 24 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 73 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.7
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine Coolant16
Engine Coolant Capacity16
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8.5 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts52 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsM8 Bolts: 19 ft-lbs, M10 Bolts: 41 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts73 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub160 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub160 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing5, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance3 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.11-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)54.3-55.8 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression160
Engine Oil Pressure44-72 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM4000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle61.5 ft-lbs / 63 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.060 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness.120
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.984 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Finish0.905 μin / 0.551 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 degrees, Step 3: 4511 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
115 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
229.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
360 degrees.60 degrees
480 degrees.; Lubricate bolt threads with clean engine oil.80 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 15 ft. lbs., Step 4: 26 ft. lbs., Step 5: 40 degrees, Step 6: 4037 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 8,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
At 30,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Oil Cooler Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Premium dominate in one area — the air bags, 5 of 13 reports (38%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
2
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
13
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 13 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags5
Air Bags,Seats1
Steering1
Air Bags,Seat Belts,Seats1
Power Train1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Exterior Lighting1
Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V187000SeatsReported 07/03/2019

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the… Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters…

17V085000Power Train:Manual TransmissionReported 09/02/2017

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being… Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SUZ_0160082022-07-08SuspensionReminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension…
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Grand Vitara Premium. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Grand Vitara Premium take?

5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Grand Vitara Premium have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Grand Vitara Premium get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.