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 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Suzuki SX4, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 55 | 54% |
| Air bags | 5 | 5% |
| Engine | 3 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
| Air bags | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 1% |
| Air bags | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Cushion was change and diagnostic still shows like cushion wasn't changed
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE ACCORDING TO THE SYMBOL ON THE DASH BOARD.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWING ENGINE FAILURE & HARD STEERING ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WHEEL BEARING AND HUB FAIL AND SENSORS ABS SEND A LIGHT CHECK ENGINE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT IT'S THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO BE ACTIVATED. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY $2000.00 TO RE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER THAT IS HANDLING SUZUKI REPAIRS FOR SUZUKI IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR ISSUE RELATED TO THE AIRBAG. THE DASH LIGHT FOR AIRBAG ERROR NO LONGER APPEARED AF
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
RADIO CHANGED OUT 2X AFTER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, LIGHT FOR AIR BAG HAS BEEN ON FOR 3 YRS. BRAKES HAVE HAD TO GET WORKED ON 2X BEFORE IT HIT 50,000, CLIP ON DRIVERSIDE MAT BROKE AFTER 2 MONTHS OF HAVING CAR, DOOR PANELS ON
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Suzuki SX4. 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 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
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.
Risk: IF A REAR VIEW MIRROR FALLS OFF THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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 WEBSIT
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.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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 SEP
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 55 of them (54%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (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 73/100, 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 68/100. 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.