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2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara, most often about the lights (48% of complaints, typically around 25,000 miles). It is 5th of 14 Grand Vitara model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems
Lights
20 complaints · 48%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
When I first bought the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara, I noticed that the low beam headlights were so low that I could not see the road. I literally cannot see the road because they are so dim-they keep blowing out and needing to be replaced as well. I have to drive with my high beam lights on at night because I am afraid…
Had to constantly replace drivers side low beam headlight 6 times since I have owned this vehicle. Now both driver and passenger side do not work, bulbs are not blown, and fuses are fine. My mechanic says that it is a known problem that Suzuki refuses to acknowledge. I should not have upwards of $1200.00 out of pocket…
Air bags
12 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle but the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and the contact sustained whiplash and minor bruising. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was not made…
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…
Electrical
10 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
Had to constantly replace drivers side low beam headlight 6 times since I have owned this vehicle. Now both driver and passenger side do not work, bulbs are not blown, and fuses are fine. My mechanic says that it is a known problem that Suzuki refuses to acknowledge. I should not have upwards of $1200.00 out of pocket…
Headlight bulbs need to be replaced on a regular basis (at least ten so far) and the plastic in the base is melted (could cause a fire).
Engine
3 complaints · 7%The vehicle was parked in a store parking lot and when I started the car put it in reverse and then in drive to exit the parking lot. When on the street the car went across the street I put my foot on the gas and it stalled. When I my put my foot on the gas to go forward it didn't respond. I then put the car in park…
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Occupant classification system failure
Summary
Suzuki motor of america is conducting a safety recall to remedy the occupant classification system's (ocs) sensor mats in approximately 193,936 model year 2006-2011 suzuki grand vitara and 2007-2011 suzuki sx4 vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13v-405 for more details).the sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat can develop an electrical circuit disconnection as a result of repeated flexing of the seat from use of the seat.according to suzuki, when the failure occurs, the ocs system, by design, will not suppress the frontal passenger air bag for a seated child or small-stature adult.a deploying passenger air bag can cause serious injury to such an occupant.the recall population excludes th
Questions about the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (20 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles); air bags (12 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); electrical (10 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 7, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Suzuki Grand Vitara?
- It is 5th of 14 Grand Vitara model years by number of complaints, with 42 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.