2009 Suzuki Equator problems

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The Suzuki Equator was a mid-size pickup truck based on the Nissan Frontier and assembled by Nissan. It was first sold in the US for the 2009 model year with MSRPs starting at $17,220, and made its debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

The Equator was offered as either a four-seat Extended Cab or a five-seat Crew Cab. In the Canadian market, the Equator is only offered in the Crew Cab configuration, in a single trim level.

Power on base Extended Cab models comes from a 4-cylinder engine. A V6 is optional on Extended Cab models and standard with the Crew Cab. Both engines are supplied by Nissan.

The base 2.5 L QR25DE Inline-4 produces 152 hp (113 kW) at 5,200 rpm and 171 lb⋅ft (232 N⋅m) at 4,400 rpm, and is a rear-wheel-drive. It comes with either a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic.

The 4.0 L VQ40DE V6 engine develops 261 hp (195 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 281 lb⋅ft (381 N⋅m) at 4,000 rpm. It comes standard with a five-speed automatic and is available with four-wheel-drive.

The Equator won Peterson's 4Wheel & Off-Road'S 2009 4x4 of the Year, beating out the Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F150, Hummer H3, Kia Borrego, and Toyota Sequoia. Sales of the Suzuki Equator since 2009 have been 5,808 overall, and it rarely sold over 200 units per month.

The Suzuki Equator was discontinued in 2010 for the Canadian market and 2012 for the United States market.

2009 Suzuki Equator

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Common 2009 Suzuki Equator problems

The Suzuki Equator, introduced in 2009, is a compact pickup truck that shares its platform with the Nissan Frontier. Despite its reputation for reliability, some common problems have been reported by owners.

One of the most frequently reported issues concerns electrical problems. For instance, some owners have reported a malfunctioning airbag sensor, which may not deploy the airbags in the event of a crash.

Another area of concern is the engine. Some owners have reported engine-related problems, such as the engine not starting or running roughly. This could be due to a variety of factors, including faulty wiring, ignition issues, or mechanical problems with the engine itself.

The body of the Equator has also been a source of complaints, with some owners reporting issues such as squeaks and rattles. This could be due to loose or worn-out components, such as hinges, latches, or body panels.

Finally, there have been reports of problems with the airbags and seat belts. In some cases, the airbags may not deploy in the event of a crash, which could pose a significant safety risk.

It is important to note that these issues are not necessarily widespread, and many owners of the Suzuki Equator have reported having no problems with their vehicles. However, these common issues should be taken into consideration when purchasing a used Equator, especially if the vehicle has a high mileage or has not been well-maintained.

In terms of recalls, the Suzuki Equator has had several recalls over the years, including a recall related to the front wheel hubs, which may not meet design hardness specifications and could potentially lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. It is important to check for any outstanding recalls on a potential Equator purchase and have any necessary repairs performed by a certified dealer.

In summary, while the Suzuki Equator has a reputation for reliability, some common problems have been reported by owners, including electrical issues, engine problems, body issues, and airbag and seatbelt problems. It is important to thoroughly research any potential Equator purchase and have any necessary repairs performed by a certified dealer.

2009 Suzuki Equator engine

Is the Suzuki Equator reliable?

Equator owners have made 1 complaint over 4 model years. It ranks 2nd in reliability out of 12 eligible Suzuki models. Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system.

Is the 2009 Suzuki Equator a good truck?

The 2009 Suzuki Equator is every bit as capable, comfortable and solidly built as the Nissan Frontier we like so much. If you like the Frontier – and plan on keeping your next pickup for a long time – you'd be wise to consider the Equator and its longer warranty.

What happened to the Suzuki Equator?

Unfortuantely, the party was over by 2012 as The American Suzuki Motor Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to lagging sales, a parse vehicle lineup, tightening emissions regulations, and "unfavorable exchange rates," according to the automaker.

Who made the 2009 Suzuki Equator?

Nissan

Suzuki Equator
ManufacturerNissan
Also calledNissan Frontier (North America) Nissan Navara
Production2008–2012 (USA) 2008–2010 (Canada)
AssemblySmyrna, Tennessee, United States

2009 Suzuki Equator complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2009 Suzuki Equator.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2009 Suzuki Equator recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2009 Suzuki Equator.

2010-09-01
  • Manufacturer: AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP.
  • Components: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
  • Remedy: 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.

Negative 2009 Suzuki Equator car reviews

  1. Jordi Renner 2024-09-13

    The truck was purchased with the expectation of improved fuel efficiency and performance. However, during a vacation in August 2009, the brakes failed and have remained mushy since. Despite seeking assistance, the issue has yet to be resolved. While the Suzuki representative has stated that everything is fine, two certified brake technicians have identified a problem. As a result, the truck is currently unsafe for our family to drive. It is imperative that this issue is addressed promptly and effectively.

Positive 2009 Suzuki Equator car reviews

  1. Eliezer Treutel 2024-11-23

    You've got yourself a great vehicle with a powerful V-6 engine and sleek design. Plus, with Suzuki's 100K powertrain warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing you're covered for the long haul.

  2. Vito Watsica 2024-11-21

    The 2009 Suzuki Equator is an excellent truck that offers incredible rebates and is essentially a Nissan Frontier. Although the 5th gear is too low, leading to higher cruising RPMs, the Equator is still a great purchase. It would get the same mileage as the Tacoma if it had a higher 5th gear. Additionally, adding a sprayed-on bed liner would enhance its appearance. Overall, the Equator is a well-worth purchase.

  3. Edison Deckow 2024-08-26

    I recently switched from a V8 truck that only got 14mpg combined to a more fuel-efficient truck that has a great ride and lots of power. I am extremely happy with my purchase! I considered the Frontier, but this truck was a much better deal. It comes with GPS, side airbags, step rails, and is about $2800 cheaper than the Frontier. Most importantly, it has a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It currently has 2800 miles on it and averages 21mpg combined, which I expect to improve even more once the engine breaks in.

  4. Coy Becker 2024-04-27

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share my experience with you. When I was looking for a new vehicle during the cash for clunkers period, I initially considered the Frontier. However, I discovered that Suzuki offers a similar vehicle with a 2.5L engine, which was exactly what I was looking for to improve my mileage (which was only 10mpg!). Unfortunately, the only engine available in the neighboring area of 8 Nissan dealers was a 4.0L engine. Despite this setback, I decided to give it a try and took my new vehicle on its first trip to my getaway cabin in the Catskill area. I did have to learn how to deal with the transmission on long hill climbs, but overall it handled well. I also found that the hitch attachment to the chassis was simple to install with just 6 bolts on the chassis, and all the wiring connections were right there by the bumper area - so simple! All in all, I think it's a great truck.

  5. Howell Schumm 2024-02-24

    I was shopping for a truck and stumbled upon the Suzuki Equator. I was initially considering the Nissan Frontier, but after doing some research, I discovered that the Equator is essentially a Frontier with a few distinct differences. Firstly, the Equator comes with a better powertrain warranty of 7 years/100,000 miles compared to the Frontier's 5 years/60,000 miles. Additionally, the Equator boasts better-looking alloy wheels instead of the standard steel wheels, and a more attractive grill. I've been driving my Equator for two weeks now and I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase. As someone who is 6'3

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2009 Suzuki Equator problems:

2009 Suzuki Equator Reliability - Consumer Reports
2009 Suzuki Equator Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suzuki/equator/2009/reliability/

No Detailed Data Available. Consumer Reports obtains its reliability data from a questionnaire that is sent to subscribers. In the questionnaire, we ask ...

Saw a truck I'd never heard of today. Suzuki Equator ...
Saw a truck I'd never heard of today. Suzuki Equator ...
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/saw-a-truck-id-never-heard-of-today-suzuki-equator.21203/

Sep 27, 2022 ... Rebadged Frontier. Good truck up to a point…that point being the transmission and transmission cooling. Problem is all frontiers had a fault ...

2009 Suzuki Equator Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
2009 Suzuki Equator Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
https://repairpal.com/cars/suzuki/equator/2009

Get 2009 Suzuki Equator repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Suzuki mechanics near you.

Thinking about buying an Equator | Nissan Frontier Forum
Thinking about buying an Equator | Nissan Frontier Forum
https://www.clubfrontier.org/threads/thinking-about-buying-an-equator.336282/

Dec 10, 2017 ... ... Suzuki trucks also had the transmission issues that 2005-? Frontiers had? If so, would it be a problem in the 2009 Equator but not the 2012?

Q&A: Common Problems with 2012 Suzuki Equator - JustAnswer
Q&A: Common Problems with 2012 Suzuki Equator - JustAnswer
https://www.justanswer.com/car/jc0nk-check-engine-light-2012-suzuki-equator-manual.html

May 9, 2022 ... Check engine light came on on a 2012 Suzuki equator manual transmission. It is not wanting to accelerate when I put the - Answered by a ...

Other years of Suzuki Equator

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Equator 2010
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2009 Suzuki Equator photo