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Suzuki Grand VitaraModel year report

2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Problems

Complaints
42filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
40,000miles, 35 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 2.7L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 20 complaints (48% of the total), followed by air bags (12) and electrical system (10). 35 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the occupant classification, 1 NHTSA investigation and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Exterior lighting: “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 bulbs for high and low beams, that is a very expensive when it has 2 be dine 2 or three times a year. …”

NHTSA complaint #11123045, filed 2018-08, 130,000 miles

Air bags: “Esp light came on, brought truck to dealer, they say it has a bad hydraulic brake unit at the cost of $1200, Suzuki won't fix it even though their is only 15101mi on vehicle. Mouse infestation due to poor design of cabin body vents located behind rear bumper cover. There are no grills in place over these vents to keep rodents out, they infested the truck and headliner area urinating all over the curtain air bags and compromised them, I called Suzuki and basically was told I'm the only one in the world this happened to and basically did nothing, $4000 in damage.”

NHTSA complaint #10450849, filed 2012-03, 15,101 miles

Electrical system: “I have just entered the mileage of the last time this problem happened. My 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara keeps blowing the headlamp bulbs. I have replaced it more than 10 times which is obviously abnormal since most of the cars uses the same bulb even for years. As I can see in internet forums this is a common problem between Suzuki owners and Suzuki has done nothing to correct this problem. I consider this a safety issue. Please help.”

NHTSA complaint #10461933, filed 2012-06, 73,000 miles

Engine: “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 and the car jumped forward three times on its own and then stopped repeating this again, but not a third time because I shut the car off. Then I restarted the car. I was able to coast with hazards on to my house under 10 MPH. O shut it off and called the auto mechanic. …”

NHTSA complaint #10512655, filed 2013-05, 68,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

57% of the 35 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,000 and 70,000 miles.

17%0–1023%10–2517%25–5026%50–756%75–1009%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (35 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 40,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’10’128’14’16’18’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Grand Vitara · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4——4 · 18.5% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Grand Vitara RWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172219$3,550
Grand Vitara RWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed manual162218$3,700
Grand Vitara AWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172119$3,550
Grand Vitara AWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed manual162118$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.

Other model years of the Suzuki Grand Vitara

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20121336,7502—22—Not enough data
20111135,9134—22—Not enough data
20102050,0005—21—Falling
20091442,0004—21—Not enough data
20084240,0002—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20075837,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200616146,3526—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2004835,5002—18—Not enough data
20032950,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20024728,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20013852,7505—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20008559,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199910857,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Suzuki Grand Vitara model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara have?

NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara is reported most often?

Exterior lighting is named most often, in 20 complaints (48% of the total), followed by air bags with 12.

Has the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara (Grand Vitara, 2.7L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara reported?

Among the 35 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 13,000 and 70,000 miles; 57% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.