2008 Suzuki XL7

Routine

Owners filed 74 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Suzuki XL7 years to avoid. Which Suzuki XL7 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
64,680 milesMedian miles at failure

62 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 105,000–120,000 miles.

Most common 2008 Suzuki XL7 problems

18 of the 74 complaints (24%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering17
000
Engine15
100
Electronic Stability Control (esc) · stability control8
100
Electrical System6
000
Air Bags · airbags5
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Structure › Body · body and frame3
001
Power Train · transmission2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system2
010
Tires1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jul 10, 2023139,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2008 Suzuki XL7. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the contact was unable to deactivate the alarm. Additionally, other unknown electrical system functions failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 1, 2022NY

My car was running when I checked it into the vechicle repair shop at Firestone address of 2311 Military rd Niagara Falls, New York 14304. When it got tolled back to my address it did not turn over. They said it was the battery but when I had a knew battery adjusted in my vechicle it still did not work. Therefore the issues is on the Firestone repair to cover any charges at another shop to get repaired at the cost they charge.

Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2021IN

I have went through 2 engines 2 timing chains and 4 loans to keep this suv running 3999.98 for the first engine and the same for the second 1200 times 2 for the timing chain if you know a vehicle has this many problems why haven't you removed it. It's not safe or reliable now my locks don't want to lock unlock I have 14 different error codes on my check engine light after I put the second engine in! In less than a year!!!

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 8, 2020NC

MY GAS GAUGE AND MPH GAUGE WILL GO FROM READING CORRECTLY TO SAYING TO MPH WILL JUMP ALL THE WAY TO 100. MY GAS WILL GO FROM FULL TO HALF WITHIN JUST A FEW MILES THEN IT WILL JUMP TO WAY PAST FULL OR WAY PAST EMPTY.

Engine
Filed Nov 27, 2020187,000 milesGA

THE VEHICLE TIMING IS OFF, DUE TO FAULTY TIMING EQUIPMENT. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?

Steering
Filed May 4, 2020129,218 milesOR

FALL 2018 HAD OBD CODE FOR TIMING CHAIN- REPLACED TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER, END OF NOVEMBER 2019 PULSATING AT LOW SPEEDS- ALIGNMENT, NEW BRAKES, NEW TIRES. JANUARY 2020 MADE A U TURN AT LOW SPEEDS APPROX. 2 MPH AND VEHICLE MADE GRINDING NOISE AND SHUT OFF WHEN STARTED IT BACK UP STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF PARKED VEHICLE UNTIL MARCH 2020 WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC, DURING DIAGNOSIS MECHANIC NOTED CORROSION TO BOTH SERPENTINE BELT AND TIMING CHAIN DUE TO OIL LEAK FROM TIMING CHAIN COVER VALVES, HAD BOTH SERPENTINE AND TIMING CHAINS/TENSIONERS REPLACED WITH NEW PARTS AS WELL AS VALVES AND SEALS REPLACED, MECHANIC ALSO NOTED BALANCE HARMONIZER MELTED AND DETERIORATING DUE TO OIL LEAK SO REPLACED THAT AS WELL, POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED DUE TO METALLIC PIECES IN POWER STEERING FLUID AND SYSTEM WAS BLED AND FLUSHED ALSO REGULAR MAINTENANCE SPARK PLUGS AND OIL CHANGE DONE. STEERING WAS STILL STIFF SO MECHANIC PUT IN A NEW RACK AND PINION, TIE RODS, STEERING GEAR AND ANOTHER NEW POWER STEERING PUMP AT SAME TIME AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS DONE AFTER NEW RACK WAS PUT IN, STEERING STILL INTERMITTENTLY BECOMES STIFF DURING TURNS, VEHICLE HAS ALSO STARTED TO MAKE LOUD SQUEALING WHILE TURNING AND PULSATING AT LOW SPEEDS. INTERNET SEARCH ABOUT VEHICLE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH STEERING ISSUES RESULTED IN MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME ISSUES.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 17, 2019174,000 milesSC

SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHT ON DASH BOARD

Steering
Filed Apr 4, 201984,500 milesMD

TOOK MY 2008 SUZUKI XL7 PREMIUM INTO THE SHOP BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING FLUID, MAKING NOISES AND WAS BECOMING HARD TO STEER. 3 DAYS LATER AND 2 PUMPS LATER I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK. THEY MECHANIC SAID THEY EVEN FLUSHED THE POWER STEERING FLUID OUT AND THERE WAS METAL SHAVING IN IT FROM THE LINE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE THE MECHANIC $500. FOR A NEW LINE AND $500 FOR A NEW PUMP BECAUSE OF A DEFECT ON THE MANUFACTURER'S END. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE LOOKED INTO FOR RECALL PURPOSES FOR SAFETY AND MANUFACTURE ISSUES. MULTIPLE SOURCES STATE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH IT

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Dec 20, 2018140,000 milesTN

MY STABILITY TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON WHICH TURNED STC OFF, IN ADDITION IT TURNED OFF THE AWD. THE POWER STEERING ONLY WORKS AT FASTER SPEEDS. I'VE ALMOST WRECKED THIS CAR ON MANY OCCASIONS DUE TO THIS. IT'S HORRIBLY UNSAFE IN THE RAIN. IT WILL LITERALLY GET STUCK IN A LITTLE MUD PUDDLE BC OF THE ST N AWD BEING OFF. SO MANY COMPLAINTS! IT SHOULD BE RECALLED SOON! IT'S 7 PASSAGE VEHICLE I'M ASSUMING MOSTLY FOR KIDS N IT'S STC,AWD,POWER STEERING JUST STOPS N IT SHAKES WHEN U SLOW DOWN. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE MINE ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER!!!

Steering
Filed Jul 5, 2018140,000 milesWA

DRIVING THE SUZUKI ON MULTIPLE OCCASION WHEN I BEGIN TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENS AND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I MUST YOU BOTH HANDS AND FORCEFULLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING REPLACE 3 TIMES AND IT IS STILL OCCURRING!!! IT HAPPENS WHILE MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND THE HIGHWAY. IT SO STIFF ITS DIFFICULT TO TAKE AN EXIT. THIS LAST OCCURRED YESTERDAY 7/4/2018.

Power Train
Filed Jun 27, 2017NC

POWER STEERING IS OUT, TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER, COOLING IN FRONT NOT BACK

Engine
Filed Jun 5, 2017115,000 milesNY

RECEIVED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CODES WERE AS BEFORE POINTED TO A STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FOR THIS VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID THIS TIME IT WAS FROM LOW OIL PRESSURE. WHY WAS THERE NOT A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT IF IT WILL RUIN ENGINE COMPONENTS? SUZUKI HAS A TSB FOR TIMING CHAINS AND INDIVIDUAL PART NUMBERS FOR THESE KITS WHICH TELLS ME THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

Engine
Filed May 5, 2017120,000 milesID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE TIMING CHAIN BELT FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 11, 2017FL

MY 2008 XL7 HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THE SUNROOF HAS KEPT LEAKING INTO THE CABIN LIGHTS AND INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CEILING REQUIRING 2 VISIT TO A BODY SHOP TO FIX THE SEAL. MY TRANSMISSION CONTROL REQUIRED REPLACING DUE TO MY CAR JERKING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW KEEPS COMING OFF THE TRACK. MY BACK DOORS NO LONGER UNLOCK EXCEPT FROM THE INSIDE. MY RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW NO LONGER ROLLS DOWN AT ALL. NOW MY PAINT IS PEELING ABOVE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS. THE PAINT LOOKED BUMPY AND PEELED OFF AFTER A RECENT STORM. UNDERNEATH IS A WHITE POWDER COATING AND IT'S RUSTED UNDERNEATH AS WELL.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 17, 20172 milesMN

MY CAR IS NOT ON THE TAKATA RECALL, BUT I FEEL IT SHOULD BE, AS MY SERVICE AIRBAGS HAVE NOW BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 8 OR MORE MONTHS NOW. I'VE HAD IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANY CODES, THE ONLY FIX THEY DO IS ZIP TIE THE AIR BAG COMPONANT UNDERNEATH THE PASSAGER SEAT. I'M AFFAID THAT IF I GET INTO AN ACCIEDENT THAT THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY IF NEEDED.. SOMTHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. CAN'T DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH NON-WORKING AIRBAGS WITH CHILDREN.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Dec 8, 2016128,000 milesPA

MY SUV KEEPS SHUTTING THE STABILITY CONTROL OFF FOR NO REASON EVERYTIME I SCAN THE COMPUTER THERE IS NO CODES AND IT JUST SHUT OFF RANDOMLY FOR NO REASON AT ALL AND SUZUKI DEALERSHIPS SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WHEN THERE OBVIOUSLY IS BECAUSE WHEN IM DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET AND IT JUST SHUTS IT OFF WHILE YOUR DRIVING IT PUT YOU AND THE PEOPLE IN YOU CAR IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IN THE PROGRESS OF SHUTTING THAT OFF THE ABS GOES OFF THE TRANSACTION CONTROL GOES OFF AND THE STABILITY CONTROL STOP WORKING NOT SAFE AT ALL. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 19, 2016110,000 milesMN

WE WERE DRIVING WITH NO ISSUES AND CHK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DROVE IN TECHNICIAN STATED OVER TWO QTS LOW ON OIL. HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VEHICLE AND WARRANTY REQUIRED INSPECTION. THIS IS THE REPORT: INSPECTION FINDINGS TECHNICIAN HAS DOCUMENTED HAD CODE P0018 CAM SHAFT/CRANKSHAFT CORRELATION CODE AND CODE P0008 CAM POSITION PERFORMANCE CODE WAS IN SYSTEM, TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE WAS 2 QUARTS LOW ON OIL WHEN VEHICLE ARRIVED, OIL STICKER IN WINDSHIELD STATES NEXT OIL CHANGE AT 113574 MILES AND VEHICLE NOW HAS 114588 MILES, TECHNICIAN HAS REMOVED BOTH VALVE COVERS AND REAR CYLINDER HEAD APPEARS DRY AND CAM LOBES ON REAR CAM/EXHAUST SHAFT ARE SCORED AND BEARING CAPS ARE DARKER IN COLOR THAN THE FRONT CYLINDER HEAD CAMSHAFT BEARINGS, REAR CYLINDER HEAD LOOKS DARKER IN COLOR DUE TO LACK OF OIL PRESSURE TO REAR CYLINDER, TECHNICIAN HAS REMOVED CAM BEARING ON FRONT AND REAR CYLINDER HEADS AND BEARINGS ARE JUST SLIGHTLY SCORED, NO TEARDOWN HAS BEEN PERFORM TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF FAILURE, NO TEARDOWN HAS BEEN FORMED COULD NOT DETERMINE IF TIMING CHAIN IS STRETCHED OR IF ANY TIMING COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED, FURTHER TEARDOWN WOULD BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE IF FAILURE IS FROM LACK OF OIL OR MANUFACTURE DEFECT. NO SIGN OF ANY EXTERNAL FLUID LEAKS, AND REPAIR FACILITY STATED VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN BEFORE FOR LOW OIL, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN BEFORE FOR OIL CHANGES NO NOTES RELATING TO LOW OIL. THIS IS THE SAME STORY AS MANY RELATED ISSUES WITH THE SUZUKI ENGINE. THE OFFICIAL REPORT IS UPLOADED AS W

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 8, 2016180,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 11, 201698,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Engine
Filed Mar 30, 201698,000 milesNY

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WAS TOLD BY OUR LOCAL GARAGE THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEEDED SPECIAL TOOLS TO DO THE JOB, SO WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO A FORMER SUZUKI DEALER THAT STILL HAD SPECIALTY TOOLS AND HAD IT FIXED FOR $2200. FORMER DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. ALSO CONTACTED SUZUKI USA AND FILED A COMPLAINT.

Engine
Filed Mar 21, 2016118,374 milesPA

I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITHOUT BEING INFORMED THAT APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES PRIOR THE VEHICLE HAD MAJOR ENGINE ISSUES, AS THE TIMING CHAINS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH A WARRANTY THAT THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND DEALERSHIP FAIL TO COMPLY WITH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT VARIOUS ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS HAD SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF TAKING IT OFF THE LOT, YET THE DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT ANY ISSUES. WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON ROUTE 65 IN MID JANUARY, THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO VIOLENTLY JERK AND BUCK, WHILE LOOSING SPEED. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED IT OFF, WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY. I LET THE VEHICLE SIT, HAVING TO THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BE DIAGNOSED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, I FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. AFTER GETTING A SECOND OPINION, I FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAINS WERE PROBABLY THE ISSUE. I BEGAN TO CONDUCT RESEARCH ON THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAINS WERE CHANGED AT 97K. NOW I AM STUCK WITH PAYING ON A DEFECTIVE UNSAFE VEHICLE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash
Filed Feb 27, 201690,925 milesNY

LOST STEERING WHILE DRIVING,BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. COST $2300 TO REPAIR. SAID DEFECT STARTED AS STEERING RACK AND CAUSED METAL TO GO THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM AND TAKE OUT THE PUMP ALSO. ABS/TRAC CONTROL/STABILITY LIGHTS AMONG OTHERS COME ON AND LOOSE AWD. SUNROOF LEAK AND PAINT PEELING. STEERING WAS LOST AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 1.5 YEARS LATER. DEFINITE RECALL SITUATION.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 20, 2016AL

MY 2008 XL7 SERIVCE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Aug 27, 201512,500 milesNY

FUEL LEAK AND FUEL PUMP FAIL NO READING EVEN TANK FULL DEALER TOLD NO PROBLEM AND MAKE UNAUTHORIZED CHARGE FROM ME AND FROM FACTORY FOR FIX THE FUEL PUMP BUT NOT TRUE WHEN WENT BACK REFUSE TO FIXED AND THE WAY BACK NOTICED FIRE ON THE LEFT WE GOT CONTROLLED BY HELP FROM OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS LUCKY THAT HAPEN WHEN TRAFICE WAS SO SLOW

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 19, 2015110,649 milesAZ

WARNINGS: SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AWD OFF, ABS. INTERMITTENTLY APPEARS AND GOES AWAY. NO RHYME OR REASON, JUST NERVE RACKING. STEERING ON THE VEHICLE IS HARD.

Electrical System
Filed May 14, 201595,000 milesTN

MY SUZUKI XL-7 PAINT HAS PEELED OFF THE BACK DOOR AND THE TOP OF THE CAR A MECHANIC STATED ITS A TRIPLE COAT PAINT JOB BECAUSE OF THE COLOR WHICH IS PEARL WHITE. THE IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM BUT THEY ARE PATHETIC. THE PAINT IS PEELING SO BAD I'M SCARED TO WASH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE PAINT MAY COME OFF! THEN THE ELECTRICAL IS WORSE I GET IN THE DOOR CHIME GOES THROUGH THE SPEAKERS AT HIGH VOLUME. THE STABILITY CONTROL KEEPS CUTTING OFF AND ON AND SO DOES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 12, 2015TX

DRIVING AND STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OVER PUT IN PARK AND WHILE SITTING THERE SPEEDOMETER SHOOTS UP TO 80 MPH, NOTICE THE CAR IS IN PARK. THE DOORS START LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BY THEMSELVES. TOOK IT IN TO GET FIX THEY SAID ITS THE ROLLOVER SENSOR PAID TO HAVE THAT REPLACED. 3 DAYS LATER SAMETHING HAPPENED. APPARENTLY THAT'S WASN'T THE PROBLEM. TAKING IT BACK TO THE SHOP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 8, 201561,000 milesAL

WELL THE SUNROOF HAS STARTED TO LEAK INTO THE DRIVER SIDE AND THIS IS WHEN IT RAINS. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE OVER A YEAR NOW AND SAME ISSUES FROM SUZUKI STATES THEY CAN'T HELP ME CAUSE ITS NOT IN WARRANTY AND I EXPLAINED TO THEM IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WHEN I RESEARCH IT AND I TOLD THEM THERE IS NEEDING TO BE A RECALL AND IT'S NOT GOOD CAUSE OF THE ELECTRONIC IT'S GOING ON IN DASH AND THROUGH. THEY JUST SAID SORRY. I AM SO FED UP WITH THIS AND LACK OF CARING. I CAN SEE WHY THEY WENT BANKRUPT AND I AM HOPING A RECALL CAN HAPPEN SOON ON A LOT OF THESES ISSUES AND THAT ARE SO CLEARLY OUT THERE WITH MORE THAN MINE. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

Structure
Filed Jan 8, 201564,680 milesAL

WELL I AM SO VERY UPSET I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND PULLED AND GOT OUT OF MY SUV AND TURNED AROUND TO ARM THE CAR. WHEN I LOOKED AND SEEN ALL THE TOP PAINT PEELED BACK ABOVE THE DRIVER REAR SIDE ALMOST TO FRONT DOORS OF DRIVER SIDE ALL WAY BACK AND ALL WAY TO METAL LIKE IT WAS NEVER PAINTED AND JUST PEELING OFF AND STILL COMING OFF. AND I THINK THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT CAUSE I PICKED A PIECE OF THE CHUNK OF PAINT OFF GROUND AND SO BRITTLE AND CRUMBLED. I NEED THIS MATTER ADDRESSED AND I TRIED TO TALK TO SUZUKI AGAIN AND THEY SAID SORRY YOUR OVER YOUR WARRANTY PERIOD AND SAID THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY KNOWN ISSUES AND I DO HAVE PICTURES AND I AM EXTREMELY UPSET AND A 30, 000 DOLLAR CAR AND SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS AND HAVE ONLY BEEN 5 YEARS. THEY JUST TOLD ME SORRY AGAIN AND I NEED HELP TO GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE PICTURES WAITING. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 8, 201552,680 milesAL

WHEN STARTING CAR THE DASH COMES UP STATING STABILITY CONTROL NEEDS SERVICED AND TURNS OFF PLUS MY TRACKING CONTROL OFF. THEN ONCE YOU KEEP GOING WILL START WORKING AFTER 15 MINUTES. ITS, CRAZY CAUSE TRIED TO TALK TO SUZUKI AUTO OF AMERICA AND THEY JUST BLEW OFF ANY ISSUES AND STATED SORRY CAN'T HELP YOU OUT OF WARRANTY AND SAID NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED IT TO BE A RECALL. I WAS LIKE IT'S A 30,000 DOLLAR SUV AND I SAID NO WONDER THEY WENT INTO BANKRUPTCY. IT'S SO UPSETTING NOT EVEN THAT OLD LOW MILEAGE AND IT'S NOW ON MY SUV HAS 64,680 AND STILL SANE ISSUE AND MORE. CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ISN'T MORE OUT THERE NOT TO HAVE A RECALL. I WOULD BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE CAUSE OF ALL THE BRAKES AND STABILITY OF CAR. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 26, 201455,000 milesIL

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON THE SECOND ROW AIRBAG MODULE IS BAD AND IT IS GOING TO COST $1,100 TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS WHY HASNT THIS BEEN RECALLED. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 10, 201481,000 milesFL

ALL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. NOT SURE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM OR NOT. THE ELECTRICAL STABILITY CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND ETC. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 10, 201480,000 milesFL

THE PAINT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE HAS CHIPPED OFF. I EXPECT THE REAR TO START RUSTING. I CAN'T TRADE MY CAR IN, DUE TO THE FACT THE PAINT IS PEELING. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER WORTH ANYTHING. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 23, 201432,000 milesCO

TO BEGIN, MY MOONROOF LEAKED INTO THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS IN THE CABIN ANY TIME I WASHED THE CAR. HAD TO TAKE IT IN 3 TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. WINDOW SEALS WERE BUCKLING AND GOT THOSE REPLACED BY DEALER - BUT CONTINUED TO BUCKLE. ALL STABILITRAC LIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. KEY FOB WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AROUND 85000 THEN THE REAR DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO IT. REPLACED BATTERY IN FOB AND HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO ONLY HAVE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR IN THE DOOR WAS GOING OUT. WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER IN MY 2008 XL7, I HEARD A GRINDING/RATTLING NOISE THAT SEEMED TO WORSEN AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND WOULD GO AWAY AS I ACCELERATED THROUGH THE TURN AROUND 90000 MILES. POWER STEERING FELT TIGHT, ABS LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AWD OFF, STABIL-TRAC LIGHT ALL CAME ON...INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK IT IN FOR OTHER REPAIRS BEFORE WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE/SOUND. AT 95700 MILES SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING, TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. AT 103000 MILES THE NOISE/RATTLING/GRINDING IS BACK IN FORCE. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT, PULLED MULTIPLE MIS-FIRE CODES P0300, P0301,P0305, & P0303. REPLACED A WEAK BATTERY, CHANGE THE OIL AND DIAGNOSED THE TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CALLED SUZUKI TO EXPLAIN THAT THIS HAD BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 15000 MILES SPORADICALLY, FINALLY GOT IT DIAGNOSED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND TH

Engine
Filed Aug 24, 201447,979 milesNY

THE TIMING CHAINS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 2 YEARS EVERY TIME INSPECTION IS DEW THEY ALWAYS KICK ON LIGHT SUZUKI REFUSES TO FIX ISSUE BUT SAME MOTOR AS CHEVY EQUINOX AND THEY HAVE ISSUED A RECALL ON CHAINS .THIS RECALL SHOULD BE ON XL7 AS WELL HAS SAME ISSUE SAME MOTOR BUT NOTHING BEING DONE TO FIX PROBLEM. 2700 DOLLAR REPAIR EVERY YEAR TO PASS INSPECTION. THEIR A LEMON.( JUNK) *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 27, 2014FL

MY SUZUKI XL7 HAS THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL LIGHTS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR GO ON AND OFF, THE WARNINGS FOR THE BREAKS AND STABILITY CONTROL THEY ALWAYS COME ON AFTER IT RAINS. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS OVER 85*, ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE CAR GO CRAZY AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF, AFTER TAKING THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER THE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAN CAUSE THIS ISSUE, BUT NOW ALL THE LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS HIGH AND THE CAR IS EITHER LOCKED OR UNLOCKED, AND WE HAVE ISSUES WITH OUR AIR BAGS TOO, SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER LIGHT IS OFF WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING ON IT. *JS

Steering
Filed Jun 25, 201460,000 milesTX

THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A RUBBING SOUND WHEN TURNING BACK AND FORTH. I HAD IT FIXED ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE BUT NOW I'M AT 101,000 MILES AND IT'S BACK. UNFORTUNATELY I'M NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE, SO THIS REPAIR WILL HAVE TO BE OUT OF POCKET. DISAPPOINTED, HAD I KNOWN THAT I WAS GETTING A SUZUKI WITH GM PARTS I WOULD HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED BUYING IT. I HAD A 2002 SUZUKI XL7 AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT I ENCOUNTER ON MY VEHICLE IS THAT IT BURNS WAY TOO MUCH OIL. THE OIL CHANGES COME AROUND ALOT SOONER THAT THE INDICATOR DISPLAYS ON THE PANEL. DEALERSHIP HAS NO EXPLANATION FOR IT. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 30, 201468,000 milesSC

BECAUSE OF FAULTY PRIMER, THE PAINT ON MY 2008 XL7 IS NOW PEELING OFF AND BUBBLING. SUZUKI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX SO WHEN I GO TO TRADE IT IN, IT WILL BE WORTH LITTLE TO NOTHING. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SUZUKI AGAIN SIMPLY BASED ON THE LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. MINE IS NOT THE ONLY WHITE XL7 THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THERE ARE MANY MORE COMPLAINTS WHEN YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET WHERE SUZUKI HAS DONE NOTHING. IT'S SAD BECAUSE IT WAS A REALLY CLASSY VEHICLE AND NOT IT LOOKS LIKE A HOT MESS! IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE SUZUKI WOULD WANT THEIR BRAND BEING REPRESENTED LIKE THIS AS YOU CAN CLEARLY TELL THE PAINT PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT BUT IS A TRUE DEFECT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 29, 201442,500 milesFL

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. * WILL NOT DETECT PASSENGER IN SEAT AT WEIGHTS OF 150 LBS OR BELOW. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 14, 20145,000 milesFL

FRONT DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO KEY FOB AND WOULD STAY LOCKED. HAD TO USE KEY TO GET INTO THE CAR. GOT IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, REAR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY WONT RESPOND TO FOB. EITHER THE REAR DOORS STAY LOCKED( AND CANNOT EVEN BE OPENED WITH THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE) OR SOMETIMES THEY WONT LOCK WHEN YOU LEAVE THE CAR. THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR DOES NOT OVERRIDE THE SITUATION. THIS VEHICLE HAS NO KEY OPTION FOR THE REAR DOORS. THANKFULLY, NO ONE HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE REAR SEATS AND UNABLE TO GET OUT. NO RHYME OR REASON AS TO WHEN IT HAPPENS AND WHEN THEY WILL START WORKING AGAIN. CANT TRUST THAT THE CAR IS SECURELY LOCKED OR THAT PEOPLE CAN GET OUT WHEN IT DECIDES THAT IT DOESN'T WANT THE DOORS TO UNLOCK. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Apr 26, 201440,000 milesAZ

I BOUGHT SUZUKI XL7 2008 MODEL FROM A DEALER IN FARGO, ND IN AUGUST 2009. IT HAD AROUND 32000 MILES ON IT. IN MAY 2012, I NOTICED THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT. WHENEVER, A THIN PERSON WOULD BE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD BE OFF AND THERE WOULD BE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT. I WENT TO THE ONLY SUZUKI DEALER IN MOORHEAD, MN. THEY SAID I NEED TO GET A NEW BATTERY AND I AGREED. FEW DAYS AFTERWARDS, I MOVED TO TUCSON, AZ. THE SAME ISSUE WAS HAPPENING AGAIN. THERE WAS NO SUZUKI DEALER IN TUCSON. THE ISSUE HAS PERSISTED AND TODAY I WENT TO SUZUKI DEALERSHIP IN TEMPE, AZ. THEY SAID THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THEY WILL REPLACE IT FOR 1155 USD. IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM AS IT WAS IN MAY 2012 BUT THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP IN MOORHEAD, MINNESOTA "MISDIAGNOSED" IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. SOME AUTHORITY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS. HOW COME THE SUZUKI DEALERSHIP IN MOORHEAD, MN DIAGNOSED AN AIR BAG SENSOR PROBLEM AS A BATTERY PROBLEM? AND ABOVE ALL WHY DID THE AIR BAG SYSTEM BECOME DEFECTIVE WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2014111,000 milesGA

IN GEORGIA WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE EMISSIONS COMPLETED EVERY YEAR AROUND YOUR BIRTHDAY. FOR SOME REASON THE CAR WOULDN'T PASS BECAUSE OF CODES P0018, P0017, AND P0008. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON TREND WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. SO I ASSUME IT'S A MANUFACTURER ERROR. IT'S ALSO COMMON FOR THE 2007 MODELS AS WELL. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE TIMING ON VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 5, 2014SD

MANY, MANY GM PRODUCTS ARE BEING RECALLED DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES, AND THE XL7 SHARES A LOT OF PARTS AND SIMILARITIES WITH THE EQUINOX, VUE, AND SO ON. CAN IT BE DETERMINED IF THE 2008 SUZUKI XL7 USES THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH? ALSO, FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS, A GROANING NOISE EMANATES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL UPON TURNS. WE OWNED A NEW 2006 CHEVROLET HHR THAT MADE A SIMILAR SOUND THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 1, 201420,000 milesFL

STEERING HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AT LOW SPEEDS. ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT AND TURNED MANUAL. ALSO NOISES COME FROM STEERING WHEN MAKING TURNS. THIS CARE WAS PRODUCED ON A GENERAL MOTORS ASSEMBLY LINE. ALL THE GM CARS WERE JUST RECALLED FOR STEERING PROBLEMS. WHY ISN'T THIS BRAND OF VEHICLES BEING RECALLED? *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2014160,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI XL7. THE CONTACT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THERE WAS A SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Mar 18, 201477,000 milesWV

POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING ON TURNS AT LOW SPEED. REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 26, 201422,000 milesFL

AT SLOW SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES NOISES WHEN BEING TURNED IN EACH DIRECTION. ALMOST FEELS LIKE A LOSS OF STEERING POWER AND IS DIFFICULT TO TURN. IT WAS NOTICED AFTER PURCHASE AND DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. HAVE CONTINUED TO USE THE VEHICLE, AND PROBLEM PERSISTS. REVIEWED INTERNET FOR RECALLS. DON'T SEE ANY, BUT SEE PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. *TR

EngineCrash
Filed Feb 4, 201490,000 milesCO

WHILE DRIVING 20 MILES PER HOUR ON AN ICY ROAD THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE AWD, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ENGINE SEIZED AND SURGED AND MY BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE SLID AND FISHTAILED. I REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND PUSHED THE GAS LIGHTLY TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND I SLID INTO A CANAL. I WAS ABLE TO CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT, ESCAPE OUT THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR, AND SWIM TO SAFETY. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 19, 2013106,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUZUKI SL7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE BOTH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Steering
Filed Nov 10, 2013105,000 milesCA

POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS DRIVING. ALMOST CRASHED. CHANGED OUT RACK AND PINION & POWER STEERING PUMP WITH NO CHANGE. COST $ 1,200. PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. WILL NOT DRIVE BECAUSE OF DANGER. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 74, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20095000Routine
2008 — this page74010Routine
2007138230Routine
200628200Routine
200518211Fatalities reported
200445201Fatalities reported
200324240Routine
200235210Routine
200113210Routine

Compare every XL7 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.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.