2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara: 2 recalls, 42 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #13V405000 · 2013 · 189,901 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
The 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…
Airbags, Seats Vehicle recall #19V187000 · 2019 · 31,302 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Exterior lights (20): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
- Airbags (12): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2), warning light on (2).
- Electrical (10): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
- Engine (3): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
The 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara has 42 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 15 Grand Vitara model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 43). Complaints peaked in 2013 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 40,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (58 complaints, 3 recalls), 2009 (14 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are exterior lights (20), airbags (12), electrical (10).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (2.7 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.