VehicleVerdict

2008 Suzuki SX4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 140 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median SX4 year — the 2008 model ranks #1 of 8 SX4 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 53% of all reports (74 of 140), far ahead of electrical system at 15.

140

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other SX4 years?

SX4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted140 complaints2000: 3 complaints2007: 106 complaints2008: 140 complaints2009: 65 complaints2010: 29 complaints2011: 16 complaints2012: 50 complaints2013: 18 complaints
SX4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all SX4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Suzuki SX4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags7453%
Electrical System1511%
Seat Belts107%
Seats64%
Engine64%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Brakes32%
Body & Structure32%
Fuel System32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Transmission32%
Steering21%
Other21%
Lighting21%
Suspension21%
Speed Control11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2008 Suzuki SX4 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V405000AirbagsSeptember 6, 2013 · 189,901 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

10V513000Visibility & WipersOctober 19, 2010 · 69,587 units

Defect

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 SX4 HATCHBACK AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SX4 HATCHBACK AND SEDAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THREE SCREWS THAT SECURE EACH OF THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO THE MIRROR BASE CAN COME LOOSE DUE TO VIBRATION.

Consequence

IF A REAR VIEW MIRROR FALLS OFF THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BASE SCREWS ON BOTH OUTER REAR VIEW MIRRORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.

10V392000Electrical SystemSeptember 1, 2010 · 20,692 units

Defect

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 SX4, 2010 GRAND VITARA, AND 2009 THROUGH 2010 EQUATOR VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750, 760, AND 765 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

SUZUKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985. OWNERS MAY ALSO VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE REAR ENDED CAUSING A RIGHT HAND SPIN RESULTING IN A DRIVER SIDE DOWN VEHICLE LANDING POSITION IN A 4 FOOT DEEP DITCH AT ABOUT 25 MPH. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND DRIVER RECEIVED SHOULDER INJURY AND HEAD HIT ON DRIVER SIDE PILLAR POST BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR LEFT HAND DOORS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 5, 2012 · crash

“I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD GOING SOUTH A MAN RUN A STOP SIGN HIT ME ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR MY NECK WAS BROKEN, AND BACK PERMENTLY MESSED UP , MY DAUGHTER ON PASSENGER SIDE IT JAM HER HIP'S, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT ONLY FRONT ONES DID AND THE ONE ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHATTERED AS IT CAME OUT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 23, 2014 · crash

“THE SENSOR LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WENT ON AND WONT RESET THE MECHANIC CHECKED VIA DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER THE LIGHT AND SAID ITS A FAULTY SENSOR BUT CHANGING IT WOULD REQUIRE $1,500 PASSENGER SEAT REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE UNIT IS INTEGRAL MEANWHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT IS ON REGARDLESS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · August 20, 2013

“AFTER TAKING MY SX4 INTO KIPO MOTORS FOR INSPECTION AND CHECK FOR RICH FUEL AND TICKING, IT PASSED NY EMISSIONS BUT I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A $2000 CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE SLIGHT TICK. WITH IN 6 MONTHS MY ENGINE BLEW UP WELL DRIVING TO DINNER WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. FLAMES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 20, 2013 · fire

“I HAVE A YELLOW LIGHT AND AND RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON I ALREADY TOKE TO THE DEALER AND IT'S STILL THE SAME AND NOW THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND THE DEALER IN OUR AREA MOVE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND WHAT CAN I DO OR WHERE CAN I TAKE IT TO GET CHECK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · April 20, 2016

2008 Suzuki SX4 — common questions

Is the 2008 Suzuki SX4 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 140 complaints put the 2008 model at #1 of 8 SX4 years. It is one of the SX4 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 SX4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (74 complaints), electrical system (15 complaints), seat belts (10 complaints).

Does the 2008 Suzuki SX4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Suzuki SX4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Suzuki SX4 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Suzuki SX4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the SX4 years to avoid are 2008, 2007, 2009. The cleanest record among SX4 years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.