2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 42 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (45% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2026
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Jun 2025
“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 dealer?”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“There is a engine knock while vehicle is in neutral or park. Took it to the dealer service department. They think it might be a lower motor issue. Vehicle only has 21000 miles on it.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2016
“Bought this in april 2014 with 30k miles, have replaced both low beam headlights 4-5 times each, also beams are low visibility”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2016
“The headlight bulb burns out every 2 months and has to be replaced. This has been an issue since the car was purchased new. I am the second owner, and bulbs burn out every 2 months. There have been no accidents in this vehicle aside from minor fender bender in the rear of the vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2015
“I've had this vehicle for 6 years in that 6 years I can not even tell you how many times I've had to replace the bulbs in the head ligths, at least every 4 months. This is a on going issue with these vehicles I can not believe suzuki has not been put in a position to issue a recall. This is a manufacturing error and suzuki knows it.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2015
“Suzuki passenger seat airbag control sensor is defective and often does not turn off the passenger side airbags for very light passengers as it was designed to do. Suzuki has a kit to rectify the issue, but will not send me the parts. They will only send the parts to a kia dealer, and the nearest one to the location where my vehicle is kept is about 250 miles. I have asked them for the parts kit so I can perform the installation and calibration myself. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2014
“The headlights are burning out prematurely every 4-6 months. This is expensive and potentially dangerous if I do not notice immediately when they blow out, especially if both go at the same time. From what I understand, I am not the only one with this problem and this has been something that many grand vitara owners like myself have been dealing with.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2014
“I have had a 2008 suzuki grand vitara for the past 5 years in that time I can not even begin to tell you the countless I've had to replace the bulbs in the headlights. Its obvious from what I've read that this is on going issue with this type of make and model car. Its obvious the part is defective and there should be a recall issued to replace these headlights all together. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Vitara by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?
NHTSA has 42 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 48,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.