Most common 2008 Suzuki SX4 problems
Share of the 101 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Suzuki SX4 complaints by model year
Best SX4 years: 2011, 2013, 2010. Years to avoid: 2008, 2007, 2009. Compare all years →
2008 Suzuki SX4 recalls (3)
Air bags
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.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge.
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the base screws on both outer rear view mirrors free of charge. The safety recall began on November 5, 2010.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Suzuki SX4:
Occupant Classification System Failure
Suzuki Motor of America is conducting a safety recall to remedy the occupant classification system's (OCS) sensor mats in approximately 193,936 model year 2006-2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4 vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-405 for more details).The sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat can develop an electrical circuit disconnection as a result of repeated flexing of the seat from use of…
What 2008 Suzuki SX4 owners say
Air bags all 74 →
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
When traction control kicks in, the rear end of the vehicle comes forward causing the vehicle to fishtail. I lost control on a straight road because I applied the brakes on a powdered snow covered road. I didn't slam the brakes, I lightly applied them. After going off the road, the car rolled in a violent spin. The nose hit the ground on the front right corner and blew the front right tire. The driver's side then slammed into a rock wall which buckled the roof ten inches and pushed the driver's side pillar post in about eight inches, and pushed the driver's door in almost to the steering wheel. The car spun then it hit the ground two more times and blew both of the driver's side tires. Not one of the eight airbags went off. My top speed that day was 40 MPH. I was driving through the mountains and I went off the road and off an embankment and downhill I went. …
Electrical system
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
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. …
Seat belts
Copied this from this site"the ECU also performs regular diagnostic checks of the air bag system. If the ECU identifies a problem, the air bag readiness (warning) light will illuminate on the instrument panel. When the air bag readiness light is illuminated, the air bag system might not perform properly in a crash." part of the required safety features required on most new vehicles is what was stated. Corrected the mileage from previous complaint.... My 2008 Suzuki SX4 shows the air bag light on along with the passenger seat belt light on(even when occupied) according to the above statement "when the air bag readiness light is illuminated, the air bag system might not perform properly in a crash." so here I am. …
SX4 air bags recall number: 13V405000 recall date: 09/06/2013 problem summary: 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. Consequence: air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child. Corrective action: 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. …
2008 Suzuki SX4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 21 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Suzuki SX4 a good car?
Based on 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 SX4 rates avoid: 3.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the SX4 at the same age. It is one of the SX4 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Suzuki SX4?
The air bags — 74 complaints, 73% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the electrical system (12) and seat belts (10).
How many recalls does the 2008 Suzuki SX4 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2008 Suzuki SX4, the most recent from September 6, 2013 (air bags). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Suzuki SX4?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2013 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2007 and 2009. See the full Suzuki SX4 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Suzuki SX4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 47% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.