2012 Suzuki Splash problems
The 2012 Suzuki Splash was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 1.3 Multijet and the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT. The 1.3 Multijet has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as premature manual gearbox failure.
2012 Suzuki Splash score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 12 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.9From 3.6 to 8.3 depending on the engine
- Gearbox7.92 faults
- Suspension7.41 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes7.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering9.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights7.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.71 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 Suzuki Splash
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2011.
1.3 Multijet engine in the 2012 Suzuki Splash
Names: 1.3 DDiS
- With caution
1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)
75–95 hp · Z13DTH, 199B1.000
It improves consumption and noise compared with the first generation, but shares the same chain and tensioner design, with documented cases of stretching. Ask for the maintenance history and watch for oil dilution if the car is used mostly in town.[3][4]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failureYes: the timing chain's hydraulic tensioner can lose pressure and let the chain slacken; if it skips teeth or breaks, it can destroy the engine. It is a documented problem on Fiat, Opel, Suzuki and Ford cars with this engine, mainly linked to long oil change intervals.Repair (garage): €350–€550Appears at around 70,000 km
- High severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboSeized variable-geometry turboOn versions with a variable-geometry turbo, the vanes can seize through soot build-up, especially on cars used in town for short journeys. The engine loses power gradually and may give off black smoke when accelerating.Repair (garage): €450–€700
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelThe Bosch injectors and the high-pressure pump of the common rail system are sensitive to poor-quality fuel or fuel with condensed water. With contaminated diesel they can generate metal shavings that damage first the pump and then the injectors themselves.Repair (garage): €600–€1,200
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by sootThe 1.3 Multijet's EGR valve easily accumulates soot on short urban journeys, causing an unstable idle, loss of power and the engine warning light. It is one of the most cited problems among owners of this engine.Repair (garage): €130–€400
1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT engine in the 2012 Suzuki Splash
Names: 1.2 VVT
- Buy
1.2 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013)
86–92 hp · K12B
Gebrauchtwagenberater.de describes it as a reliable engine, with a low-maintenance timing chain capable of exceeding 200,000 km; the only documented warning is a 2013-2014 recall over the water pump pulley fixing (see the specific fault).[7]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchClutch: premature wear and clutch cable anchor failureSeveral Swift and Ignis owners with a manual gearbox describe a clutch that bites abruptly and wears out sooner than expected; on the Ignis's AGS automated gearbox, gebrauchtwagenberater.de directly points to fast clutch wear in town driving. There is no manufacturer campaign for this cause.
- Low severityFrequency: RareIgnitionIgnition coil: no documented pattern of faultsNeither the German used-car specialists nor the testimonies from Swift, Ignis and Splash owners that we consulted describe ignition coil failures or misfires on the 1.2 VVT or the 1.2 Dualjet.
- Low severityFrequency: RareLubricationOil consumption: no documented patternThe German specialist workshops and the Swift, Ignis and Splash owners we consulted do not describe high oil consumption on the 1.2 VVT or the 1.2 Dualjet; several explicitly describe it as reliable with normal maintenance.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Suzuki Splash
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature manual gearbox failureAccording to reports on fiches-auto.fr, some manual gearboxes fail at low mileage (bearings broken at 34,000 km on a 1.2), with bearing noise or difficulty engaging gears. There is no official recall.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchPremature clutch wearAccording to owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the clutch fails sooner than expected for several owners (clutch dead at 20,000 km on a 1.2). There is no official recall: it is a pattern in owner reports.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature wear of shock absorbers and suspensionAccording to reports on fiches-auto.fr, some owners replace shock absorbers or suspension parts early (front shock absorber leaking at 10,000 km on a 1.0). It is a pattern in owner reports, with no recall.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorFragile bodywork paintAccording to reports on fiches-auto.fr, the paint cracks or flakes off and traces of rust appear on some cars. There is no official recall.
Buying a 2012 Suzuki Splash?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Suzuki Splash reliable?
The 2012 Suzuki Splash was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the 1.3 Multijet and the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT. The 1.3 Multijet has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as premature manual gearbox failure.
Is the 2012 Suzuki Splash better than the 2011?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2011 and 2012 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the Suzuki Splash?
According to our score, the best is 2008 (6.8/10). The year with the worst score is 2013 (6.6/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Suzuki Splash have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (1.3 Multijet, critical severity), incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution (1.3 Multijet, high severity), seized variable-geometry turbo (1.3 Multijet, high severity), injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuel (1.3 Multijet, high severity) and eGR valve blocked by soot (1.3 Multijet, medium severity).
Own a 2012 Suzuki Splash? 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 SplashWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
- 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German