SuzukiSX42009Overview/suzuki/sx4/2009/base/

2009 Suzuki SX4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 SX4.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2009 Suzuki SX4 is a compact passenger car built on Suzuki’s versatile platform and powered by an engine that uses a 4‑quart capacity of 5W‑30 API‑rated oil, paired with an automatic four‑speed transmission; its EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined place it among the more fuel‑efficient options in its class. Despite a modest total of 48 owner complaints and three recalls, the most frequent issue reported for this year centers on the air‑bag system. Within the broader 2000‑2013 model span, 2009 falls after the peak complaint year of 2008 (101 complaints) and well above the low point of 2000 (one complaint), indicating a relatively stable reliability record for this generation.

Model year20132010200920082007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque62 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 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 24 · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length162.2 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height62.2 in
Wheelbase98.4 in
Curb weight2646 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume9 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 62 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.8
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-80 · 75W-85 · GL-4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts52 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts62 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-.99 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.71 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance12 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure55-67 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM4000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.0063-0.0094 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0123-0.0153 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs / 19 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle43.5 ft-lbs / 61.5 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.354 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Finish0.315 μin / 0.787 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 5 stages

Prep M10 Bolts:

138 ft. lbs.38 ft. lbs
259.5 ft. lbs.59.5 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts.
438 ft. lbs.38 ft. lbs
574.5 ft. lbs.; M6 Bolts:74.5 ft. lbs
18
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; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 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 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 90,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 105,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

:Complaints for the SX4 generation peaked sharply in 2008 at 101, then fell by more than half to 48 in the 2009 model year, signaling a notable improvement in owner-reported issues. The 2009 year still carries 3 recalls and 10 TSBs, matching the recall count of 2008 and the highest TSB volume in the dataset, which suggests the manufacturer was actively addressing known problems. Air bag concerns dominate the 2009 complaint record with 21 reports, alongside a small number of crash and fire incidents, though the data does not specify root causes. This model year sits on the descending slope of the complaint trend, offering a clear reduction in volume from the earlier trouble years, but it does not achieve the lower complaint levels seen in 2010 and 2011. Overall, the 2009 SX4 is a reasonable choice that avoids the worst of the early-generation spike, but a 2011 model would provide an even quieter ownership experience based on the federal record.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
48
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 48 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags21
Air Bags,Seats2
Tires2
Steering2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Air Bags,Engine1
Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V405000Air BagsReported 06/09/2013

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may… Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are…

10V513000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:ExteriorReported 19/10/2010

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 SX4 HATCHBACK AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SX4 HATCHBACK AND SEDAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THREE SCREWS THAT SECURE EACH OF THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO THE MIRROR BASE CAN… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BASE SCREWS ON BOTH OUTER REAR VIEW MIRRORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 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…
SUZ_0133772016-10-14Power TrainTHIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF AN IMPROVED DRIVESHAFT FLANGE AND…
TS-01-02260R22013-04-02Air BagsSUZUKI: DUE TO CHANGE IN LOAD ON PASSENGER SEAT WITH SHIFTING OF WEIGHT AND OBJECTS IN…
ASMC-0093752013-01-01Air BagsSUZUKI: COUNTER MEASURE PROCEDURE FOR DTC B1318. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES…

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 SX4. 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 2009 SX4 take?

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

Does the 2009 SX4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the SX4 get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.