2008 Suzuki SX4

Routine

Owners filed 101 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
50,000 milesMedian miles at failure

75 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,00060,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags64
808
Air Bags › Frontal5
100
Seats4
000
Engine4
010
Electrical System4
010
Power Train3
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer2
000
Visibility2
000
Suspension2
000
Wheels1
101

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags13V405000
Filed Sep 6, 2013189,901 vehiclesSuzuki Motor Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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 or a child.

Risk. Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.

Remedy. 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 will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior10V513000
Filed Oct 19, 201069,587 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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 WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.

Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(global Positioning System)10V392000
Filed Sep 1, 201020,692 vehiclesAmerican Suzuki Motor Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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 SEPTEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985. OWNERS MAY ALSO VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Nov 30, 2022NY

Cushion was change and diagnostic still shows like cushion wasn't changed

Air Bags
Filed Feb 19, 202098,860 milesNY

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE ACCORDING TO THE SYMBOL ON THE DASH BOARD.

Steering
Filed Apr 24, 201978,214 milesTX

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWING ENGINE FAILURE & HARD STEERING ISSUES.

Suspension
Filed Feb 6, 2017TX

WHEEL BEARING AND HUB FAIL AND SENSORS ABS SEND A LIGHT CHECK ENGINE

Air Bags
Filed Jan 10, 2017VI

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 REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT? SUZUKI SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF SOMEONE IS HURT OR POSSIBLY KILLED IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG ISN'T ACTIVATED, BECAUSE OF A SEAT MAT THAT THEY PLACED IN THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT SEEMS THAT OTHER DRIVER'S OF SUZUKI SX4 CARS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 2, 2016TX

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 AFTER THAT FIX, BUT IT RETURNED WITHIN THREE MONTHS. THE MITSUBISHI DEALER SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 26, 2016100,000 milesTX

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 TAKE IT TO GET CHECK

Air Bags
Filed Feb 17, 2016100 milesTX

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 BOTH FRONT AND BACK PASSANGER SIDE KEPT FALLING OFF AND KEPT TAKING CAR BACK TO FIX TILL THEY HAD NO REPLACEMENT PARTS THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD THERE ARE MANY SAFETY ISSUES BLIND SPOTS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN, AND ALL THE LITTLE ISSUES FROM 2 BATTERIES REPLACED TO 2 SETS OF BRAKE JOBS TO ELECTRICALS TO 3 SETS OF TIRES, AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 80,OOO MILES OR LESS. I'VE HAD IT 9 YRS MOSTLY AS A SECOND CAR AND ALWAYS PROBLEMS INCLUDING PAINT. BUT THE SAFETY ISSUES AND THE CRAP CAR WE WERE SOLD KEPT IT CAUSE NOBODY IN THERE RIGHT MIND WANTS IT I AM 1ST YR OWNER THIS CAR SUCKS FFFFFFF IS WHAT IT SHOULD RATE THE CAR DEALERS WONT FIX IT THEY MAKE YOU COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT THE PARTS HAVE TO BE FOUND BECAUSE THE PLANT GOT WASHED AWAY AND THE PARTS WITH IT. AND THAT COMPANY WONT LET THEM HOLD PARTS IN THERE SHOPS SO HURRY UP AND WAIT IT IS THE TRAINSHAF IS CRACKED BUT HEY ITS A SECOND CAR THAT COST TOO MUCH AND GIVES TOO LITTLE JUST FOUND THIS WEBSITE THANK TO CONSUMERREPORT MAGAZINE, THIS CAR WAS CRAP FROM DAY ONE WHEN IT ROLLED OF THE TRUCK IN 2008

Air Bags
Filed Jan 4, 201657,000 milesHI

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR FOUR YEARS. AFTER RECIEVED RECALL NOTIFICATION VIA MAIL (1 YEAR AGO). SUBMITTED REQUEST TO FIX PASSENGER SEAT TO THE ONLY SUZUKI DEALERSHIP ON OHAU, HAWAII AND THEY STATED, "MY VEHICLE DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL" AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPAIR THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY COULDN'T PIN POINT THE PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO CONTACT SUZUKI TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVES. AS THE SECOND OWNER AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY, I CANNOT GO BACK TO THE STATE IN WHICH I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE DUE TO MILITARY ORDERS TO HAVE ANY OTHER SUZUKI DEALERSHIP FIX THIS. ADDITIONALLY, WITH THE SAFTEY INSPECTION LAWS IN HAWAII, I CANNOT REGISTER THIS CAR IN THIS STATE UNLESS PAY FOR THE ENTIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OR WAIT TILL THE DEALERSHIP CHANGES THIER MIND ABOUT DOING THE RECALL ON MY CAR. THIS SITUATION I AM IN NOW IS UNSATISFACTORY AND PUTS MY FAMILY AND MY SELF AT RISK.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 19, 201550,000 milesMA

TRYING TO GET VEHICLE INSPECTED AND THE INSPECTION GUY INFORMED THAT THERE IS A PROBABLY LEAK IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAUSING LOUD NOISE. THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD IN THE CAR EVEN WHEN NOT HIT HEAVY ON THE GAS PEDAL. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS REASONABLE OLD, FOR 50K MILES SUCH BREAKAGE IS EXHAUST IS NOT EXPECTED. THIS COULD BE A RESULT OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT OR MISFITTING. BASICALLY I NEED TO GET IT FIXED BEFORE IT CAN PASS STATE INSPECTION.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 20, 201550,000 milesAL

I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD GOING SOUTH A MAN RUN A STOP SIGN HIT ME ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR MY NECK WAS BROKEN, AND BACK PERMENTLY MESSED UP , MY DAUGHTER ON PASSENGER SIDE IT JAM HER HIP'S, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT ONLY FRONT ONES DID AND THE ONE ON THE STEERING WHEEL SHATTERED AS IT CAME OUT AND THE SWITCH UNER THE STEERING WHEEL SHORTED OUT ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE, I HAVE PICTURES THIS NEEDS TOO BE INVESTIGATED I HAVE TRIED AND TRIED NO ONE WILL LISTEN I HOPE YOU DO

Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2015101,500 milesPA

CAR CRANKS BUT WON'T START ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 13, 201593,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 7, 201558,724 milesPA

AT A COLD START THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE I WAS TOLD BY TWO MASTER MECHANICS TO SEE IF I STILL HAD A WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS SO I TOOK IT TO THE SUZUKI DEALER (BROWN DAUB) WHICH TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL I CALLED THE GARAGE I USUALLY GO TO AND THEY THINK IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS THEY WILL BE LETTING ME KNOW THIS WEEK WHAT THE PROBLEM IS PLUS SUZUKI WASHED THEIR HANDS OF IT PLUS THE NOISE IS ONLY GETTING LOUDER.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 26, 2015NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V405000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO THE STATE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE STATE IT WAS PURCHASED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ....UPDATED 07/22/15 *BF UPDATED 10/2/2017*CN

Engine
Filed Mar 3, 201535,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI SX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO INTERNAL DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A SECOND OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 11, 2015AK

NO INCIDENT. NEED HELP WHERE TO TAKE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY RECALL (PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION) AND I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO CALL TO. NO DEALER NEARBY -LIVE ON AN ISLAND IN ALASKA. PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EMAIL. WILL NEED AT LEAST A WEEK OFF WORK AND MORE THAN $1,000.00 TO GET TO DEALER AND BACK. WILL HAVE TO PUT CAR AND MYSELF ON A FERRY- 3 DAYS ONE WAY. WHAT IS POSSIBILITY OF SENDING NEW PARTS WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO A MECHANIC HERE TO DO THE WORK ON BEHALF OF SUZUKI - THE ONE WHERE I USUALLY I TAKE MY CAR FOR CHECK UPS? *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 17, 201491,000 milesTX

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER LIT UP AND REMAIN ALWAYS ON, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PERSON IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHTS REMAIN ON AND DO NOT TURN OFF. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Oct 28, 201460,000 milesAL

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH ANOTHER CAR T=BONE ME ON DRIVER'S SIDE THE AIR BAG ON STEERING WHEEL AND PASSENGER SIDE DID COME OUT BUT THEY SHREDDED AND HAD SOME KIND OF SHORTAGE FROM UNDER THEM THAT SMOKED LIKE THEY WERE FIXING TO GET ON FIRE, ALSO THE AIRBAG OVER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DID NOT COME OUT, WE WERE INJURED FROM THE CRASH I WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THE IMPACT BUT SCARES ME THAT THE CAR COULD OF CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE SHORTAGE SOME ONE NEEDS TOO CHECK ON THE MAKE AND MODELS OF THESE CAR BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE HAS A WRECK AND GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 9, 2014OK

2008 SUZUKI SX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICE, FOR INOPERATIVE TAILLIGHTS. AFTER AN INSPECTION, THE POLICE OFFICER DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AS WELL, THE ONLY LIGHT WORKING WAS THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS. SOME FUSES WERE BLOWN AND REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY, A MOTORIST INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE TAILLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. AGAIN, THE FUSE HAD BLOWN. WHILE LEAVING WORK THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE. HE LOOKED AT THE HOOD, THEN LOOKED INSIDE THE CAR AND HE FINALLY LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHERE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE TRUNK, AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF ELECTRICAL WIRING COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TAILLIGHT, WHICH HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WELDED THEMSELVES TOGETHER. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE WIRING. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE BURNED WIRES WERE TRACED BACK TO THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THE HARNESS IN THE TRUNK HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND DAMAGED TWO OTHER HARNESSES.

20 of 101 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201315510Routine
201240310Routine
201113300Routine
201021510Routine
200948320Routine
2008 — this page101320Routine
200773210Routine
20001000Routine

Compare every SX4 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 6, 2013. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.