Suzuki Jimny III 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) problems
The Suzuki Jimny III used the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) from 2005 to 2018 (1.3 VVT). 2 documented faults affect it; the most important is “accessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign)” (medium severity, rare). Our verdict: “Buy”.
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Engine score on this car
8.9 out of 10Good reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Jimny III. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Suzuki Jimny III
7.1 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
Suzuki 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 de gasolina (serie M: M13A, M15A and M16A) · Petrol
Verdict for the version it uses
1.3 M13A 83-92 CV (Swift, Ignis and Jimny, 2003-2018)2003–2018 · 83–92 hp · M13A
BuyGebrauchtwagenberater.de describes the M-series engines of the 2005-2010 Swift as simple four-cylinders with a reputation for being very reliable, and Diariomotor presents the Jimny's 1.3 as a proven engine that is cheap to maintain, with many examples over 200,000 km for sale. The most repeated complaint on the Swift 1.3s on fiches-auto.fr is the manual gearbox and clutch, not the engine.[3][4][5]
Faults that affect the Jimny III
Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has 4 documented faults in total.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareOtherAccessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign)In 2010 Suzuki recalled the Jimny 1.3 and the Grand Vitara (1.6 included) because of the tensioner pulley for the power steering pump belt, whose plastic coating could come off and cause noise and, in the worst case, the belt to slip off.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareFuelFuel hose damaged by rubbing on the Swift 1.3 and 1.5 (2005-2008)Gebrauchtwagenberater.de records a recall of the 2005-2008 Swift 1.3 and 1.5: the fuel hose can be damaged in its outer layer by rubbing against the throttle body. We have found only this source.
All versions and faults of the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
What to check before buying a used Suzuki Jimny III 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.
If it has the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) (2005–2018)
Faults of the Suzuki Jimny III outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- High severityFrequency: CommonBodywork and interiorUnderbody, sill and bodywork corrosionRust is the most repeated complaint about the 1998-2018 Jimny: mud and salt build up on the underbody and wheel arches and, left untreated, the metal and bodywork pit over the years.
- High severityFrequency: CommonBrakesRusted brake pipes and poorly performing brakesOn the 1998-2018 Jimny, brake pipes accumulate defects from the second inspection onwards, and brakes score poorly in every model year; carwiki also cites leaking wheel cylinders.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonSteeringSteering box wearOn the older Jimnys the steering box often fails, and German technical inspections flag steering on almost every model year; the warning sign is steering that is heavier and imprecise.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonSuspensionDefects in axle mounts, springs and shock absorbersThe TÜV reports flag the Jimny's suspension: axle mounts with a high defect rate from the first inspection, and loose springs and shock absorbers up to the third.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareSteeringLoose lateral rod bolt on the axles (2012-2014 campaign)In the United Kingdom, 1,510 Jimnys built between May 2012 and March 2014 were recalled because a bolt on the axle lateral rods could loosen and transmit vibration to the steering wheel.
Buying a Suzuki Jimny III 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)?
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The Suzuki Jimny III has one documented recall or campaign. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Suzuki Jimny III 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) reliable?
The Suzuki Jimny III used the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) from 2005 to 2018 (1.3 VVT). 2 documented faults affect it; the most important is “accessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign)” (medium severity, rare). Our verdict: “Buy”.
What faults does the Suzuki Jimny III 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: accessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign) (medium severity) and fuel hose damaged by rubbing on the Swift 1.3 and 1.5 (2005-2008) (medium severity).
Own a Suzuki Jimny III 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Suzuki M engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
- Suzuki JimnyWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
- Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
- Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
- Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
- Suzuki recalls Grand Vitara, JimnyGoAuto · Motoring press · published 25 June 2010 · consulted 8 October 2026