Recall Alert: 2011-12 Suzuki Equator

In the affected vehicles, the bolts connecting the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine may have been manufactured below specification. As a result, the bolt could break and cause an engine oil leak. If there is a leak, the engine oil warning lamp will illuminate, and the engine may become noisy. If the driver ignores the condition, the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.

The safety concern was investigated by Nissan, which builds the Equator for the Japanese carmaker. The Nissan Frontier, which is a near clone of the Equator, is currently undergoing the same recall, as well as other SUVs and cargo vans.

Suzuki will notify owners Jan 19. The repair to the engine connector bolts will be covered by each owner’s vehicle warranty, Suzuki says. For more info, owners can call Suzuki at 714-996-7040 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.