2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Grand Vitara years
- More complaints than other years 6th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. That ranks 6th out of 15 Grand Vitara model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is exterior lighting (20 complaints, 48%), typically at around 25,191 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 42owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 20 | 48% | 25,191 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 12 | 29% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 10 | 24% | 39,943 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 7% | 44,756 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 2% | 100 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 2% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 2% | 131,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 2% | 8,300 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 2% | 15,101 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 2% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | 54,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification; seats
Problem: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.
Air bags
Problem: 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 fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
Risk: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
Fix: 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 not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Occupant Classification System Failure (PE13021) — opened Jun 14, 2013, closed Sep 30, 2013, led to recall 13V405000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
While stopped at traffic light at idle, I can hear a knocking noise in the engine compartment. Took it to my mechanic, and believe it is coming from the lower engine. He removed the oil pan and found that the rod and crankshaft bearing has movement. The car is 2008 and only has 36,000 miles.
The Air Bag Light remain on . The vehicle was checked in a scanner and the codes B1312 and B1319 where found..I want to know if are recalls for this car. If yes What dealer in Puerto Rico can repair it.
I received 3 urgent letters telling me my2008 suzuki grand vitara has an airbag recall passenger side and needed to be repaired right away. But SUZUKI only has a few dealers left and none close to me so I have to drive my children in this unsafe car. So I called the dealer and they said I have to…
My 2008 suzuki grand vitara has a bad right side seat cushion open circuit and needs the seat cushion replaced. Isn't this covered by nhtsa campaign number: 13v405000, and why haven't i been notified of the recall? How do i get this issue taken care of now that there is no longer an american suzuki…
My suzuki grand vitara is a 2007. Bought new. I didn't have trouble with the lighting until after the warranty had run out.then i had problems with the bulbs burning out, but only one at a time several months apart. This has been going on for several years. Now i carry spare bulbs for high and low…
Other Suzuki Grand Vitara years
← 2007 Grand Vitara · 2009 Grand Vitara →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Grand Vitara | 4 | 2 |
| 2012 Grand Vitara | 13 | 2 |
| 2011 Grand Vitara | 11 | 4 |
| 2010 Grand Vitara | 20 | 5 |
| 2009 Grand Vitara | 14 | 4 |
| 2008 | 42 | 2 |
| 2007 Grand Vitara | 58 | 3 |
| 2006 Grand Vitara | 161 | 6 |
| 2005 Grand Vitara | 1 | 1 |
| 2004 Grand Vitara | 8 | 2 |
| 2003 Grand Vitara | 29 | 4 |
| 2002 Grand Vitara | 47 | 4 |
| 2001 Grand Vitara | 38 | 5 |
| 2000 Grand Vitara | 85 | 4 |
| 1999 Grand Vitara | 108 | 4 |
See all Suzuki Grand Vitara problems by year, every Suzuki model, or the VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Owners most often report exterior lighting, air bags, electrical system problems. The top one, exterior lighting, accounts for 20 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Grand Vitara model years, the 2008 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.