Before you buy
This 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 42 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Headlight/Taillight Failures.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated18.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
18.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 42 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Headlight/Taillight Failures. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Suzuki
- Model
- Grand Vitara
- Model year
- 2008
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 42
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Headlight/Taillight Failures
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 19
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 22
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Airbag Malfunctions
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Headlight/Taillight Failures, Airbag Malfunctions, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
This SUZUKI GRAND VITARA year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.
Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
- Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
- Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN
Before You Close the Deal
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
The SUZUKI GRAND VITARA has 42 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. 3 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 42 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 2 federal recall campaigns
- 3 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Full breakdown
All 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 12 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 …
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 t…
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…
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 BULB…
JUST RECEIVED SOME RECALLS ...MANY OF THEM BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO SEND ME TO..I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TOUCH BASES WITH THEM THEY PUT ME ON HOLD.. ONE LADY SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME.ANOTHER SEND ME TO A MOTOCYCLE PLACE .. ANOTHER SEND ME 3 HOURS AWAY CAN YOU SE…
MY AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND MAKING A SOUND WHEN NO ONE IN THE SEAT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED AND TURNED OFF, ONE SHORTLY AFTER THE OTHER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUZUKI OF GREEN BR…
PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THOUGHT I WAS BACKING UP, BUT WHEN I PUT SHIFTER IN DRIVE, IT KEPT GOING BACKWARDS. I REALIZED BEING ON A DOWN SLOPE, THAT SHIFTER WAS NOT WORKING AND I HAD IDLED BACKWARDS. I PUT SHIFTER IN DRIVE POSITION AND CONTINUED IDLING BACKWARDS INTO A SNOW BANK…
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.
BOUGHT THIS USED, BUT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS, HIGH BEAMS, DAY RUNNERS SINCE OWNING THIS GRAND VITARA TOO MANY TIMES. I KNOW I HAVE PURCHASED OVER 15 DIFFERENT LIGHT BULBS AS THEY KEEP BLOWING OUT? WHILE DRIVING, THEY ARE SO DIM AND THEN THEY STOP WORKING.THIS IS A HAZAR…
BOUGHT THIS IN APRIL 2014 WITH 30K MILES, HAVE REPLACED BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS 4-5 TIMES EACH, ALSO BEAMS ARE LOW VISIBILITY
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 VEH…
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 …
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 REC…
I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION AND REVVING OF THE ENGINE IN MY SUZUKI. EACH TIME I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. BRAKING DOES NOT CAUSE THE CA…
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 DEAL…
JUST AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE SAID. MY 2008 GRAND VITARA LOW BEAM H7 STYLE HEADLIGHTS BLOW OUT CONSTANTLY. VERY UNSAFE TO NEARLY CRASH WHEN BOTH BLOW AT THE SAME TIME DRIVING AT NIGHT. VERY UNSAFE DRIVING AND AT ANY GIVEN TIME A HEADLIGHT WILL BLOW OUT. NOT TO MENTION TELLING …
I HAVE REPLACED APPROX. 150 LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS, THEY BLOW OUT AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. *TR
HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM BULB AT LEAST 7 TIMES AND HAVE CHANGED THE PASSENGER SIDE APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES SO FAR EVEN REPLACED WITH BEST BULB BRANDS. *TR
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Safety recalls
2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
SEATS
AIR BAGS
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 42 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. This SUZUKI GRAND VITARA year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara?▾
#1: Headlight/Taillight Failures (20 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (12 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (10 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara, NHTSA complaints include 3 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 42 total complaints. 3 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. A major recall area is SEATS. 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara?▾
This SUZUKI GRAND VITARA year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Headlight/Taillight Failures during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Suzuki Grand Vitara reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.