What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Typical pattern

1.8% of complaints about the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is exterior lighting (20 complaints), typically at 2.8 yr or about 30,382 miles.

Complaints
55
Median age at failure
4.3 yr
Median mileage
40,000 n=47
Crash / fire / tow
5.5% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Exterior lighting
20 reports · 30,382 mi
2.8 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V187000 2019-03-07
Seats

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.

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.

13V405000 2013-09-06
Air bags

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.

Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.

In owners’ own words

Exterior lighting 12,000 mi 1.3 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AT NIGHT HE COULD NOT SEE BEYOND APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER HE DROVE AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS WHERE HE WAS TOLD THAT THE HEADLIGHTS MET FEDERAL STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 02/08/11*LJ
Exterior lighting 73,000 mi 4.8 yr in service
I HAVE JUST ENTERED THE MILEAGE OF THE LAST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED. MY 2008 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA KEEPS BLOWING THE HEADLAMP BULBS. I HAVE REPLACED IT MORE THAN 10 TIMES WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY ABNORMAL SINCE MOST OF THE CARS USES THE SAME BULB EVEN FOR YEARS. AS I CAN SEE IN INTERNET FORUMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BETWEEN SUZUKI OWNERS AND SUZUKI HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE HELP. *JB
Exterior lighting 50,000 mi 3.8 yr in service
HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. IN 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, WE HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AT LEAST 6 TIMES. THIS IS DANGEROUS, IN ADDITION TO BEING EXPENSIVE. *TR

Other Grand Vitara model years

20082007200620001999

How to read this