Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 29% |
| Air bags | 10 | 24% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 19% |
| Engine | 2 | 5% |
| Air bags | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 cr
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 D
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND MAKING A SOUND WHEN NO ONE IN THE SEAT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 F
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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, increas
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
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, dur
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 avail
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 12 of them (29%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.