2008 Suzuki SX4
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Suzuki › SX4 › 2008
These records cover every 2008 Suzuki SX4. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 2008 Suzuki SX4. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
101 complaints10 involved a crash2 involved a fire9 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
Cushion was change and diagnostic still shows like cushion wasn't changed
- Air bags
The passenger air bag IS no longer in service according to the symbol on the dash board.
- Steering
Power steering intermittently fails with check engine light showing engine failure & hard steering issues.
- Suspension
Wheel bearing and hub fail and sensors ABS send a light check engine
- Air bags · Seats
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…
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
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 · Engine · Seats
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 · Electrical system · Service brakes
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…
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
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…
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
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…
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 bags · 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…
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
- Air bags
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…
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.
- Engine
Car cranks but won't start on an intermittent basis.
- Power train
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…
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
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…
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
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…
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
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…
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
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 bags
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…
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 system · Exterior lighting
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…
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.
- Seat belts
TL* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki SX4. While driving various speeds, the front passenger side air bag and the seat belt warning indicators illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the front passenger side seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.
- Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
My cd player stop working, and my radio have static in it. *tr
- Suspension
I have had this SX4 since 3/1/11, aside from this particular problem, I have no other issues with the vehicle. Last spring, around may, I had the front lower control arms replaced. Only having this car for 2 years at the time, and here I am needing them replaced again. I have never had this problem…
I have had this SX4 since 3/1/11, aside from this particular problem, I have no other issues with the vehicle. Last spring, around may, I had the front lower control arms replaced. Only having this car for 2 years at the time, and here I am needing them replaced again. I have never had this problem with any prior vehicle. I love this car, I don't want to trade it in. I would feel guilty trading it in, and putting another family in this car, should something go terribly wrong. My husband and I debated what the culprit could be for the noises the car made from 15 mph to 70 mph (rock in a box) sound and the car shaking throughout the car, but also in the steering wheel. I didn't want to accept that the problem was the control arm again. So we replaced the stabilizer bar bushings. The mechanic that replaced the bushings said replacing the bushings were not going to solve the entire problem because the ball joints were done, they needed replaced. I also have been told by another mechanic rotating my tires, have said the same thing. Replacing the stabilizer bushings help the ( rock in a box) sound, but not the shakiness throughout the car and it sounds like the car IS falling apart the way it rattles on the smoothest street here. Does this problem fall under any type of warranty or a recall introduction? *tr
- Air bags
I was crossing a street (with the green light) entering the driveway to the apartment complex, there IS a dip at the entrance to the driveway so I was doing about 3 mph. A dodge durango SUV, ran the "red" light and struck my vehicle on the passenger side front door totaling the suzuki, knocking the…
I was crossing a street (with the green light) entering the driveway to the apartment complex, there IS a dip at the entrance to the driveway so I was doing about 3 mph. A dodge durango SUV, ran the "red" light and struck my vehicle on the passenger side front door totaling the suzuki, knocking the car about 20 feet sideways, and rendering me unconscious.. the durango was doing approximately 45-50 mph upon impact, he was not looking where he was going, he was talking to his girlfriend, and consequently did not apply the brakes, until he struck my car. none of the air bags deployed on the impact, which added to the lateral direction of travel of my head and neck, causing severe whiplash. suzuki has had problems with their air bag system for at least five years and there was a recall of the air bag sensor, which I never received. in fact I never received any of the recalls issued by suzuki. I had driven the car over 100,000 miles without any problems at all, however the main impact safety feature was not operable and suzuki knew it and failed to inform me. I am fortunate that I am alive, broken and bruised, but alive. my grandson IS generally with me, and would have surely been killed, had he been in the car at the time of the accident. *tr
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki SX4. The contact stated that the air bag sensor illuminated intermittently. The contact mentioned that a passenger was seated in the passenger seat but the warning lamp still indicated that the air bag was off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The…
TL* the contact owns a 2008 suzuki SX4. The contact stated that the air bag sensor illuminated intermittently. The contact mentioned that a passenger was seated in the passenger seat but the warning lamp still indicated that the air bag was off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician explained that the parts were not available in order to do repairs for recall nhtsa campaign ID number: 13v405000 (air bags) and was not able to provide a specific date when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was not able to be reached after numerous attempts. The vehicle failure and current mileage was 36,000.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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 the seat.According to Suzuki, when the failure occurs, the OCS system, by design, will not suppress the frontal passenger air bag for a seated child or small-stature adult.A deploying passenger air bag can cause serious injury to such an occupant.The recall population excludes those vehicles that previously had proper remedies under the special coverage campaign for this issue (~11,600) that began in July 2012.The recall remedy will be to install a new front passenger seat cushion assembly that includes an improved OCS sensor mat and an OCS control module with updated algorithms designed to properly identify the type/size of the seated occupant.Consequently, this recall action will address various OCS related problems, including a programming error (associated with diagnostic trouble code B1318) related to detecting a change or shifting in load on the front passenger seat in the model year 2009 Grand Vitara and SX4 vehicles.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10178750, 10185778, 10200217, 10200123, 10206368, 10217021, 10250561, 10254251, 10263756, 10283309, 10285166, 10294320, 10316125, 10323718, 10324530, 10326910, 10332645, 10347204, 10348957, 10349038, 10350237, 10353604, 10354901, 10355400, 10364190, 10367631, 10369777, 10371056, 10373558, 10375165, 10375789, 10376071, 10376621, 10378154, 10380794, 10382860, 10392447, 10392434, 10392599, 10393975, 10395430, 10395602, 10395821, 10395983, 10398172, 10400092, 10400035, 10401106, 10401424, 10404772, 10405359, 10406459, 10407500, 10409412, 10409993, 10413235, 10418162, 10419237, 10419578, 10425035, 10425212, 10426703, 10434905, 10435090, 10435091, 10437600, 10437892, 10437994, 10438100, 10438501, 10438613, 10439357, 10439979, 10440088, 10442968, 10442759, 10442883, 10443173, 10443592, 10443594, 10444434, 10445034, 10445447, 10446215, 10446580, 10447689, 10448161, 10448446, 10448499, 10448554, 10449238, 10450746, 10451260, 10452961, 10453168, 10453403, 10453376, 10454445, 10454978, 10455231, 10455529, 10456043, 10456367, 10456407, 10459063, 10460417, 10460510, 10462016, 10463337, 10464941, 10464693, 10467988, 10468641, 10479583, 10479929, 10481120, 10484053, 10484863, 10486369, 10486729, 10487379, 10491755, 10499622, 10506034, 10508282, 10511057, 10511439, 10512962, 10521656, 10521779, 10523512, 10523931, 10524266, 10526435, 10533196, 10535513, 10537314, 10537619, 10543672, 10544287.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10216558Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension and related parts that could be caused by road salt or other chemicals applied to the roadway.
- 10152052This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming separated from the suspension lower arm.
- 10087001This bulletin announces the availability of an improved driveshaft flange and differential side oil seal for 4WD SX4 vehicles. The improved parts have been designed to improve prevention of corrosion on vehicles driven in severe weather conditions.
- 10044321Suzuki: due to repeated flexing, the front passenger sensing system circuit located within seat bottom cushion assembly, have an electric disconnection. Updated 04/10/2013
- 10044319Suzuki: on certain vehicles, within the front passenger seat bottom cushion, the sensing sensor mat, an electric circuit disconnection may have developed, due to repeated flexing.
- 10044041Suzuki: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension for 'air bag' warning light illumination. Updated 7/25/12.
- 10030328Suzuki: replacing 5TH gear parts to repair manual transaxle concerns such as popping out of 5TH gear while driving. Worn or failed 5TH gear synchronizer, 5TH gear, and related parts. Do not replace the transaxle assembly. All model years listed.
Every Suzuki SX4 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.